Mason 53

MASON 53 KETCH - "SEQUOIA"

Mason 53 SEQUOIA exclusively for sale with DBY Boat Sales

The Mason 53 is one of the most respected blue water cruising yachts ever built. Designed by Al Mason and constructed by Ta Shing in Taiwan, the Mason 53 is renowned for its robust build quality, exceptional sea-kindly motion, and timeless Sparkman & Stephens-inspired lines.

Over the past 12 years, Sequoia has sailed halfway around the world, proving herself as a capable and dependable passage maker. She has been maintained to a very high standard and is offered in "step-on-and-go" condition, carefully prepared by experienced owners for safe, comfortable offshore cruising.

Legendary Bluewater Pedigree

The Mason 53's heavy displacement hull, full keel with cutaway forefoot, and encapsulated lead ballast deliver excellent tracking, directional stability, and balanced helm that inspire confidence at sea.

Effortless Shorthanded Sailing

The cutter/ketch rig significantly reduces sail loads, making Sequoia exceptionally manageable for a couple or short-handed crew. Four roller furling sails--including in mast furling for both main and mizzen--allow all sail handling to be done safely from the cockpit, day or night.

Extended Passage Making Range

An efficient 85hp naturally aspirated Perkins 4.236 diesel, combined with generous fuel capacity, provides excellent range at low cruising RPM. A versatile fuel polishing system allows tank to tank transfer, continuous filtration, and safe refuelling from jerry jugs.

Dependable Navigation

A fully integrated NMEA 2000 network with redundant B&G electronics provides confidence offshore and in high-traffic areas. The system includes dual radars, dual sonars, three multifunction displays, advanced Class B AIS, and three instrument panels. Steering redundancy is ensured with both an integrated autopilot and a Fleming self-steering vane mounted on the stern.


Outstanding Self Sufficiency

Abundant water and storage capacity support extended off-the-grid cruising. Four large stainless steel water tanks provide redundancy and capacity for long periods away from marinas. A simple, electronics free Spectra watermaker produces potable water with minimal power draw. Converted pilot berths now serve as secure storage for a large quantity of provisions, spares, and safety equipment.

Comfortable Liveaboard Interior

Sequoia's warm and inviting teak interior is well suited to full time living aboard. The bright main salon with mid-ship companionway, well-appointed galley with generous refrigeration and freezer capacity, and spacious private cabins offer comfort without sacrificing offshore practicality.

Sequoia represents a rare opportunity to acquire a proven Mason 53 that has already completed serious offshore miles and has been thoughtfully prepared for the next adventure. She is fully equipped, well maintained, and ready to sail.

Specifications:

Designer : Al Mason
Builder : Ta Shing Yacht Building Co. Taiwan

Water (Potable) Capacity (l) : 800 plus watermaker

Hull Construction Material : Solid GRP - Fibreglass hull and superstructure
Hull Type : Mono - Aft cockpit
Deck Construction Material : Teak laid over fibreglass
Country Origin : San Diego, California
Length (feet) : 53.5 feet LOD
Length (m) : 16.3 m
Beam/Width (feet) : 14'4 feet
Beam/Width (m) : 4.4 m
Draft (m) : 2.2 m
Draft (feet) : 7 feet
Keel/Ballast : Encapsulated lead cruising long keel
Number of Helms : 1 x Wheel with autopilot and emergency steering plus independent windvane
Displacement : 20 tons

Engine Notes : Engine: Perkins 85hp diesel, model 4.236, shaft driven, naturally aspirated. Mounted low in bilge area with plenty of room around it for servicing. Gearbox: Borg Warner Velvet Drive. Engine Alarms: Oil pressure, water temperature, exhaust temperature, and high bilge water.

Number Of Engines : 1 primary plus 1 x genset
Engine Standard : Very clean
Stroke : 4
Engine Hours : Removed and overhauled in 1999,4025 hours on meter.
Horse Power (hp) : 85
Drive Type : Shaft driven with dripless seal
Engine Room : Under salon flooring with easy access all sides
Generator : Northern Lights 6 KW
Number of Batteries : 4 x 6V AGM (830 Ah) plus 1 x 12V AGM (55 Ah) backup.
Fuel Type : Diesel
Number of Fuel Tanks : : 3 tanks - two main engine plus one for gen set. Fuel polishing system with transfer pump, Racor filter, and manifold (supports tank cleaning and jerry-jug transfer).
Fuel Tank Capacity (L) : 650L - main tanks; 75L - gen tank.
Propeller : MaxProp 20" three-blade feathering plus spare Austral 20 x 14 fixed-blade. Propellor is protected by keel and rudder.
Steering System : Primary: Wheel, chain and cable to quadrant. Secondary/Emergency Steering: Autopilot on separate quadrant. Fleming servo-pendulum wind vane. Emergency tiller.

Accommodation Notes : 3 private cabins, 2 heads, stall shower, 6'8" headroom throughout boat ; 2 companionways (aft cockpit and midships); 4 deck hatches; 11 opening portlights with screens (new Lexan).

Number of Berths : 3 x state rooms
Number of Showers : 2
Shower Type : Hot and cold pressurised x 2.1 shower is very large stall style
Number of Toilets : 2
Toilet Type : Lavac Manual Vacuum toilet
Air Conditioning : Webasto hydronic diesel heating with outlets in all staterooms; Isotemp hot water heater.
Number of TVs : 0
Holding Tank (L) : 2 x 40 litres

Galley Notes : Corian benchtops with abundant pantry storage and food preparation areas. Full set of Corelle dinnerware, SS cookware, cutlery, etc. Force 10 three-burner stovetop and oven. Large chest style fridge plus separate freezer. 1200 watt Microwave.

Stove : Force 10 three-burner plus oven and grill.
Refrigeration : Deep chest style 12V fridge with top and front-opening doors.
Number of Freezers : Deep chest style 12v freezer
Number of Sinks : 3 stainless steel (galley plus two heads).

Entertainment and Appliances Notes : AM/FM/CD sound system with surround speakers

Anchor / Winch : Nilsson electric winch

Bilge Pump : Bilge Pumps (all pickups in keel well): Rule 3700 electric/automatic - 3,700 GPH. PAR diaphragm electric/automatic - 475 GPH. Whale Gusher Titan manual - 28 GPM. Henderson Mark V manual - 17.5 GPM

Deck Gear : Forespar spinnaker pole mounted on mast, 10 Lewmar deck winches, Winchrite electric winch handle, FRP mast lazarette for dingy equipment, BBQ, dock lines, stainless steel boarding ladder.

Mast/Rigging : Aluminium mast and booms, stainless steel wire rigging replaced 2014; Forestays replaced in 2019. All chainplates replaced 2012 in 316 stainless steel. Dutchman boom brake. Last Rig Survey: 2025.

Sail Inventory : Main - in-mast furling electric, Mizzen - in-mast furling manual, Genoa- Profurl 43 roller furling, Staysail - Profurl 32 roller furling. Extra sails: Storm trysail, asymmetrical spinnaker and pole.

Electrics : DC: 12 V; AC: 120 V/220 V Chargers: Magnum 120 V inverter/charger - 125A; ProMariner 120 V/220 V charger - 60A; Alternator: Balmar 165A (with new spare); Solar: Seven panels with MPPT controller - 675 W total.

Electronics Navigation : Chartplotters: 12" B&G MFD (cockpit), 9" B&G MFD (helm pedestal), 7" B&G MFD (navigation station). Instruments: Three B&G cockpit displays (wind, depth, speed). Dual radars: B&G 4G broadband radar on main mast (36 mile range) & Simrad HD digital radar on mizzen mast (36 mile range). Dual sonars: B&G broadband with Airmar 1 kW transducer & B&G side scanning with twin transducers. AIS: Simrad SOTDMA Class B;. Autopilot: Simrad autopilot computer, B&G Triton controller, and B&G wireless remote.

Dinghy : Tender: Taurus aluminium bottom RIB, 10.5 ft (new 2013). Wheels: Large transom wheels, swivel up and removable. Outboards: Johnson 15 HP two stroke (2005) and Suzuki 2.5 HP four stroke (2020).

Covers : Dodger, bimini, full cockpit enclosure, and main hatch awning.

Safety Gear : Fire Protection: HFC 227EA automatic engine room system; Halotron manual extinguisher (25 lb); five dry chemical extinguishers (4-8 lb); fire blanket; smoke and CO detectors (3). Life Saving Equipment: Viking four-person self-righting life raft (new 2018); two 406 MHz EPIRBs; two AIS/DSC MOB beacons (in PFDs); four inflatable PFDs (two hydrostatic, two tablet activated); LifeSling with tether; SOLAS lifebuoy; MOB pole with strobe.

Ground Tackle : Anchors: Rocna 40kg; Bruce 60lb; Danforth 20lb. Anchor Rode: Primary - 10 mm G70 high-tensile chain, 100 m (new 2018); Secondary - 60 ft of 10 mm chain with 300 ft of 1" rope Bow Roller: AnchorLift self-launching.

Watermaker / De-Sal : Spectra 380c 12 v - 75 lph

GPS : GPS / Compass: Airmar NMEA 2000 GPS / fluxgate compass

Number of Fish Finders : 1
Has Navigation Lights : Yes
Radio : Radios: ICOM HF transceiver with tuner and modem; Two fixed mount VHF radios (cockpit and nav station); Two handheld VHFs Satellite Communications: Iridium Extreme satellite phone; Iridium Axcess Point Wi Fi hotspot.

Number of Life Jackets : 4

Remarks : Outstanding condition with extensive inventory of cruising equipment and spares.

Vessel Name : SEQUOIA

Anti-foul : May 2025