does anyone have an opinion about the sailing qualities of unstayed rigs, such as, freedom boats?
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freedom
Chartered a Freedom 40 in Newport a few years ago and had a great time except that temp never got above 50(this was mid-June) Great sailing boat and very attractive but too many $$$. Maybe I'm not a good enought sailor to appreciate the difference but I couldn't really see that the supposed advantages were worth the extra bucks and I guess not too many others did either since they haven't sold very many. Interior of the 40 was just average but the 45-a CC-looked much better. Greg Beckner S/V Champagne Girl
Chartered a Freedom 40 in Newport a few years ago and had a great time except that temp never got above 50(this was mid-June) Great sailing boat and very attractive but too many $$$. Maybe I'm not a good enought sailor to appreciate the difference but I couldn't really see that the supposed advantages were worth the extra bucks and I guess not too many others did either since they haven't sold very many. Interior of the 40 was just average but the 45-a CC-looked much better. Greg Beckner S/V Champagne Girl
Freedom saiing
I owned a Freedom 21. Fun boat but I never got it to point, but that was me! Check out the website below.
I owned a Freedom 21. Fun boat but I never got it to point, but that was me! Check out the website below.
what I like (and dislike)
I've been on a few Freedoms ( 25 and 40) the 25 was sloop rigged with a blade jib and a full roach main. I believe that they point fairly well. They not extremely fast (the 25 has a PHRF of 201). The larger freedoms are usually ketch rigged?? and have a wishbone boom and have a wishbone boom. They sail best on a broad reach (don't most boats but with the sail configuration it helps them) The 25 doesn't have head room in the cabin ( well unless you're short. it's about 5"6') but is a nicely finished interior. the one thing that I disliked about the 25 was the placement of the bow sprit. It is attached to the top of the lifelines and bow rail. It made the boat look funny, although it is a great help with flying the spinnaker, as you can rotate the bow sprit to where you want it to be. I still would feel uneasy with the unstayed carbon fiber masts, but the owners I know love them. my $.02
I've been on a few Freedoms ( 25 and 40) the 25 was sloop rigged with a blade jib and a full roach main. I believe that they point fairly well. They not extremely fast (the 25 has a PHRF of 201). The larger freedoms are usually ketch rigged?? and have a wishbone boom and have a wishbone boom. They sail best on a broad reach (don't most boats but with the sail configuration it helps them) The 25 doesn't have head room in the cabin ( well unless you're short. it's about 5"6') but is a nicely finished interior. the one thing that I disliked about the 25 was the placement of the bow sprit. It is attached to the top of the lifelines and bow rail. It made the boat look funny, although it is a great help with flying the spinnaker, as you can rotate the bow sprit to where you want it to be. I still would feel uneasy with the unstayed carbon fiber masts, but the owners I know love them. my $.02
New Freedom Owner
I just sold my Sabre 32 and bought a Freedom 30. I've only had it out twice, but I am delighted with it so far. If you are an inveterate line tweeker, it isn't the boat for you. They were designed to be easy to sail and they fully deserve that reputation. The hardest thing is getting used to the fact that there is no rigging to hang onto. Freedom made a wide range of boats (from 21 to 44 feet), not all by the same designer and not all with the same sailing characteristics. I prefer the models designed by Gary Mull. Most Freedoms are cat sloops (big main, small self-tacking jib); there are a number of ketches, but there aren't that many with the wishbone rig. The Freedom discussion list on Yahoo is reasonably active and I'm sure someone would respond to any specific questions you have.
I just sold my Sabre 32 and bought a Freedom 30. I've only had it out twice, but I am delighted with it so far. If you are an inveterate line tweeker, it isn't the boat for you. They were designed to be easy to sail and they fully deserve that reputation. The hardest thing is getting used to the fact that there is no rigging to hang onto. Freedom made a wide range of boats (from 21 to 44 feet), not all by the same designer and not all with the same sailing characteristics. I prefer the models designed by Gary Mull. Most Freedoms are cat sloops (big main, small self-tacking jib); there are a number of ketches, but there aren't that many with the wishbone rig. The Freedom discussion list on Yahoo is reasonably active and I'm sure someone would respond to any specific questions you have.
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