Go 'round in a Freedom 40?

[Timothy]

I have owned hull number 6 for almost 30 years. I just finished a 5 month cruise of the great lakes and can tell you that I still feel confident to take the boat anywere . I take in the first reef in about 15 knots of wind, the second in about 20 and in over 25 I sail with 2 reefs in the main and 2 in the mizzen ( somthing like jib and jigger). this way the auto pilot has no trouble keeping the boat on track and I avoid to much heel and weather helm. If the boat is hull number 1 it is gary hoyts own boat and I believe it has a 3 foot + draft. The later production modles like mine had a 4 foot 3 inch draft board up 10 foot board down. The early models like mine had aluminium masts and should I think be reefed early and sailed flat as the weight of the masts (750 pounds) tends to contribute to heel and weater helm. If you do decide to buy the boat I know You will have fun. Good luck.

[JGlen]

I own "Fantasy", a 1981 Freedom 40 Cat-Ketch - aft cockpit, hull # 60. She has carbon fiber masts and aluminum wishbones. I live aboard and sail her on San Francisco Bay and California coastal waters. She is very comfortable in heavy weather, very seakindly.

As far as reefing, the large mizzen sail presents a bit of weather helm. So, you have to reef the mizzen (first reef) at around 18 kts to keep her easily managed. Then, I reef the main at about 25 kts, but can leave a full main up to 30 kts. There is no way she could be sailed with full sail in 49 kts of wind without a lot of problems and most likely damage.

I'd sail my F-40 anywhere. But I sail her very conservatively and efficiently by reefing when necessary. Just like I sail all boats.

[3rdbase]

Originally Posted by Busman1965

I was not condeming carbon fiber masts, as a whole, as they are quite good, but rather, just relaying what was brought out at the insurance trial by the various experts.... I will say, the conditions were bad, when this boat floundered, however, I have crossed the gulfstream 100+ times in many different types of boats (from 14ft Zodiacs to Freighters), and have been in similar conditions , and have found that some boats do not handle those type of seas well. A boat with a large stern area, and unstayed cat ketch rig, would be about my last choice for bad weather. Give me a good solid double ender, lots of heavy rigging, thats deep and well balasted, with short overhangs.... thats a real sea boat.

Now I'm really impressed. You crossed the gulfstream in a 14ft Zodiac? If you find me in the middle of Long Island Sound in my 11 foot achilles, there is something desperately wrong.

[JGlen]

I sail often along the California coast where the usual is 15 - 20 foot seas and winds up to 40 + kts or more. The F-40 CK handles it better than I.

[GAZZABO]

Well My wife and I went round in a Herreshoff leaboard ketch , 3' draft no motor and had a great time. Freestanding timber masts where no problem. Did the second ARC and beat a Freedom 40. Gazzabo

[totemII]

Hello Seafarer! Did you ever buy the Freedom 40? Where is she located and do you have any pictures. I am interested in that design.
Cheers!

[JGlen]

Yes! I bought my 1981 Freedom 40 Cat-Ketch "Fantasy" over three years ago. I've been living aboard her ever since. Send me your email address and I can send photos and a brochure.

Jay Glen

[JGlen]

TotemII,

I forgot, my email address is; svfantasy@gmail.com

[THATBOATGUY]

Hi Timothy,

We have Freedom 40 hull number 7. I would love to talk to you sometime, please email me thatboatguy at gmail dot com Thanks in advance.

George

[BlueWaterWest]

Hi,
I helped deliver Freedom 40 Hull #1 from the Cayman Islands to Pensicola Florida back in 1981. We barely survived an increadible storm and eventually were rescued by the coast guard. That boat did not have an engine and it had aluminum masts and wooden wish booms. The "Swing Keel" leaked badly at the king bolt if it was lowered past about 30% down.
I would love to know where she is. Her name back then was Santa Margarita and she was owned by Coy Colquitt. He bought her out of dry storage after her charter days came to an end.