Freedom 45 Center Cockpit

[Tayzach]

Anyone have any experience with these boats?

[Sahara]

At the risk of offending anyone here, go to SA and ask for Ryley, maybe just PM him. I'm pretty sure he has one and likes it.

[S/V Illusion]

Used to charter F 45s when CYA was still in the business in BVI. It is one of the greats and I've been around enough to have some basis for this statement. One of the easiest to handle, sails like a race boat and built to the highest standards. They were a semi-custom boat so what you are looking at could have been made for their charter fleet or an individualized boat custom built to the owners specs but in either case, the build quality is excellent.
You can't go wrong.

[Tayzach]

Thanks for the reply. The boat I am looking at was built for the current owner. It has never been in charter.

[marno]

Try freedomyachts.org , a few owners there.

[Joli]

I've heard some discusion of late that the spars glass/carbon are failing due to age. Maybe do a little digging regarding that? Other then that good boats.

[marno]

You've heard more than I have. I am constantly on the Freedom forums and there have been no issues with them whatsoever of late. Could be that it is more the racing fraternity, lightweight pushed to hard mob that are having them break? I know my mast was overbuilt, because 1983 was fairly early on to be building carbon fibre masts. It came with a lifetime warranty for the original owner.

[danielgoldberg]

They are awesome boats. I had one for about 6 years, sailed her to Bermuda and back, among a lot of other sailing. Incredibly comfortable, very good performance. Possibly the easiest and most forgiving boat I've ever sailed (simply impossible to make her pound, and she carries her sail very well, even at higher winds). Likewise, the build quality is very very good. Built at the same factory and by the exact same people as the Aldens. I've not heard of any problems with the rig, as someone else suggested. The early hull numbers (I had number 2) were more undercanvassed than the later ones, as the company was more conservative with the freestanding rig at that point. Many owners increased the sail area by raising the hoist for the jib and/or adding a stainless steel sprit to get a larger fore-triangle.

I really can't speak highly enough of the boat, and often question whether we made the right call moving to a different one (we just needed/wanted something with three cabins).

Good luck with your search, but you certainly would not be unhappy with an F45.

[Freedom45]

We have had ours for almost 11 years, amazing boat. Cruised her all the way to NZ in all kinds of conditions and she is amazing, so comfortable and easy to sail!
We also have her listed here and just reduced the price! Fantastic boat, great quality and a dream to sail!
Sailing Free Spirit: Free Spirit For Sale

[gamayun]

Originally Posted by Tayzach

Anyone have any experience with these boats?

Hope you'll ask the Freedom Forum, too. I don't know the F45s, but I love my F38. The older boats need upgrading (which ones of that era don't...?), but the masts themselves seem to have been overbuilt from what I've seen of more recent CF spars. For what it's worth, there also will be two Freedoms doing the singlehanded transpacific race to Kauai this year. The Freedoms weren't built as bluewater cruisers, but they certainly have crossed a few oceans though I don't think I'll take mine to the Southern Ocean. They might not be that rugged

[Jim Cate]

Hope you'll ask the Freedom Forum, too.

He asked the question 8 years ago... might not still be looking for info!

Jim

PS Have a good race!

[gamayun]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

He asked the question 8 years ago... might not still be looking for info!

Jim

PS Have a good race!

That's funny. My app pulls up "unread posts" so I zip thru them pretty quickly. Usually I can tell they're older posts. Ah well. I like to talk up Freedom boats any day of the week and twice as much on Sundays [emoji4]

[birdsey]

Is she still for sale? Please email me at garthbirdsey@hotmail.com