Freedom Now

[Shipscarver]

I've been reading up on Freedom Boats. Anyone with real experience re: living on one.

[CapnK]

Haven't lived on one, but have talked to cruisers aboard them as they came thru the marina (we are on the ICW, see the snowbirds headed both ways). I've always found the Freedoms intriguing.

According to the owners I've spoken to, they are nice comfortable boats (and look it, inside), fairly well made, plenty good for coastal work, but not so great for when you need to go bashing to windward.

[AdriftAtSea]

I sailed on one about fifteen years ago.  From what I remember, they seem to be very roomy for the LOA.  One complaint I've heard is that the sails are difficult to raise, since they have a sleeve that goes round the mast.  On many boats, they've been refitted with a mast track and batt cars for the sails. 

[Shipscarver]

The sleeved sail was an early product. Freedom changed over after a couple of years. I must admit I am intregued by the lack of standing rig and the potential to do a lug rig.

[Auspicious]

My experience dates back to the very early 80s. The one I sailed didn't point well at all.

[Shipscarver]

I heard the pointing problem from someone else too.  Thanks.