Freestanding mast opinions wanted

[Tetepare]

Here’s a Freedom 45 under $100k. Gorgeous.

https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/199...om-45-7956712/

[DMF Sailing]

Originally Posted by Tetepare

Here’s a Freedom 45 under $100k. Gorgeous.

https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/199...om-45-7956712/

Oh, I've had my eye on that one for a while. Lots to like. Looks like a very well built, well laid-out boat. Lots of attractive features for the DMF Sailing Experience. Go anywhere in NE and anchor everywhere. No need to go in to port with all that tankage and stowage and power generating ability! Nice, heavy, shoal-draft, singlehandable cruiser.

Soon as I can get up to Freeport I'll be all over her.

Til I find something wrong.

As a compulsive shopper, I can say that one thing that bugs me is when I see so much wear, grime, corrosion, and outright slime in your photo gallery on a listing. If you didn't bother to fix that up, what is there below, beneath, and under?

At least i won't be replacing the chainplates...

[Clemson]

Originally Posted by Off Trail

Here's a lovely new center cockpit boat with freestanding mast. Not sure of the manufacturer. The Leisurefurl boom pairs well with the rig IMO.Attachment 248837

I think that is a 1991 Freedom 45, beautiful.

[El chefe]

Thanks for 40/40 Infos. Looks to me just a perfect single handled cruising boat. Any experience with some wind vane steering system on this boat. The hydro van is maybe 🤔 the best option.

[Manateeman]

Freedom 44 cat ketch. TPI was a fun place to work. Good designs, a quality build job. I still remember the first sail...it’s a very nice boat.
Happy trails. Mark

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by El chefe

Thanks for 40/40 Infos. Looks to me just a perfect single handled cruising boat. Any experience with some wind vane steering system on this boat. The hydro van is maybe 🤔 the best option.

Just be careful about the one you buy, they are cored hulls.

[outbound_308]

There was recently a sundeer listed with a free standing mast, I didn't know much about them so if I were at the buying stage that would, have passed on it for one with a regular rig. Obviously sundeer is a quality boat, but given the option I would go with what I know. I only make this point to point out that you are limiting your resale value.

[jbont]

[jbont]

Originally Posted by jbont

Attachment 261662

I have always been skeptical about free standing masts. I have read many times that they have never had a failure. The picture I posted is in Beaufort SC. It happened about 6 weeks ago. It wasn’t a very windy day. Maybe 10 to 12 knots. I think the boat is a Freedom 40.

[fourlyons]

Originally Posted by jbont

I have always been skeptical about free standing masts. I have read many times that they have never had a failure. The picture I posted is in Beaufort SC. It happened about 6 weeks ago. It wasn’t a very windy day. Maybe 10 to 12 knots. I think the boat is a Freedom 40.

I have always been skeptical about stayed rigs, all those fittings to fail .

I'm surprised to hear you say you've read many times there has never been a failure. I have never read that and it's well documented that there were failures in the aluminum masts they put on the early Freedoms. I personally know of two failures of carbon masts on Freedoms, both in the SE US. I always wondered if it might have been due to lightning strikes.

[jbont]

Originally Posted by fourlyons

I have always been skeptical about stayed rigs, all those fittings to fail .

I'm surprised to hear you say you've read many times there has never been a failure. I have never read that and it's well documented that there were failures in the aluminum masts they put on the early Freedoms. I personally know of two failures of carbon masts on Freedoms, both in the SE US. I always wondered if it might have been due to lightning strikes.

I am aware of the aluminum mast failures but thought the carbon fiber ones were a considerable improvement. We certainly get our share of lightning strikes in the Southeast My boat got hit last year. Not a direct hit as all the masthead stuff was intact. It fried all my electronics including TV and laptop. Also lost lots of LED lights.

[ewsponberg]

Originally Posted by jbont

I have always been skeptical about free standing masts. I have read many times that they have never had a failure. The picture I posted is in Beaufort SC. It happened about 6 weeks ago. It wasn’t a very windy day. Maybe 10 to 12 knots. I think the boat is a Freedom 40.

One would have to get a close look at the break and hear the story of the failure from the people on board at the time in order to make a determination as to cause.

[wmcunninghamii]

I have owned my Freedom 30 for 23 years. Sailed her 22,000 NM. Never selling.... Well, my heirs will probably sell.

1. Perfect boat for singlehanding.
2. Not superfast but some success racing inshore and offshore
2a. Raced to Hawaii twice (once against Gammy, another poster here) singlehanded to Mainland once, I continue to be alive.
3. No chainplates/shrouds/spreaders
4. Core is OK so long as you know you have a cored boat!!
5. Nice looking boat IMO

A person with the money might look at Wyliecats

Wyliecat Performance Yachts: Wyliecat 30

[Clemson]

Tomorrow is the one year anniversary of this tread and I am happy to say the first season on my 1987 Freedom 28 has been a real joy and I have 20 more days until she is hauled to the hard. When I first posted for opinions I would have never believed that I would have found the kind of sailboat I was inquiring about so fast, and right in my backyard for a price I could afford.

[wmcunninghamii]

Originally Posted by Clemson

Tomorrow is the one year anniversary of this tread and I am happy to say the first season on my 1987 Freedom 28 has been a real joy and I have 20 more days until she is hauled to the hard. When I first posted for opinions I would have never believed that I would have found the kind of sailboat I was inquiring about so fast, and right in my backyard for a price I could afford.

is this a Mull? Must be if an 87? What is the hull#?

Glad you found your boat, make sure to bookmark Freedom Yachts board.