Additions to the Inventory

We chose to take advantage of our road trip up to Maine by stopping in RI on the way home to check out the used Mason 44 mast (previously mentioned HERE).  More on the mast later, but in addition the owners, we’ll call them the M’s, were also selling an almost full inventory of sails (main, #2 Genoa and a #3 Yankee) as well as a whisker pole.  So, after checking out the mast (which was in great shape), we hopped on the ferry (actually three, to be precise) to head over to the south fork of Long Island to check out the other items. 

We met the M’s through the PAE Mason Owners Group website.  It was really nice to actually meet them, and being fellow Mason owners, we couldn’t help but like them J.    First we took a look at the whisker pole which was in great condition and it didn’t take us long to decide we definitely wanted it.  Based on what we saw with the mast and whisker pole, we could only assume the sails were well cared for as well – we weren’t disappointed.  At their marina we unfolded the sails one by one.  The main, was in decent condition but until we make a decision on the mast, that one will have to wait.  The Genoa and Yankee both need a little bit of work, but nothing I can’t do with my Sailrite sewing machine and a little sweat equity.  A couple of the chafe protection strips need to be replaced and there are a few thin areas but again, nothing I can’t do and the Genoa is in better condition than the one we have now. The Yankee is new to our inventory, and we’re both anxious to try it out. 

Before getting back on the road, the M’s offered to show us their Mason 44, S/V Mast Transit. They’ve had her since 1991 and have done some really amazing things to her - she looks like she just came from the boat yard.  Her topside had recently been repainted (a dark green, very similar to Tango’s), her toe rail had been stripped and re-varnished, they had their teak decks reconditioned, and that was just a few of the upgrades.  A couple of years ago, they replaced her mast with a carbon fiber mast and replaced her sails, which worked out very well for us!  Down below was much like above decks and she certainly didn’t look her age.  It was hard not to notice the recently redone teak and holly floors – they looked great!  We admired the boat for a bit, the M’s shared some good lessons learned and advice with regards to their Mason and after some discussion between J and me, we decided we’d take both sails and the whisker pole.  So, we loaded the pole on top of J’s Pathfinder, cinched it down, and threw the sails in the back (actually strategically Tetris’d them around the Maine lobster we were bringing home for the next day’s feast with our friends).

A couple of pics from our trip to Maine...

Lobstah dinnah at the camp in Maine

Miss Gracie - Corn Hole Mascot