Advice Needed
Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2017 2:44 am
I am looking for a new boat and am attracted to the Freedom (30 or 35) lifting keel. I have not been able to find much information online and would welcome some advice from owners, particularly about the suitability of the keel to drying out, possibly with beaching legs. I sail out of Cardiff and drying out harbours are a feature of the Bristol Channel in the U.K.
My questions are:
1) Is the lifting keel boat suitible to drying out on a variety of surfaces such as mud and hard surfaces? Does the keel retract fully? I am also concerned about mud blocking the keel channel and hard surfaces damaging the bottom.
2) If so would I need beaching legs or does she settle flat?
3) How does sailing performance and sea worthiness of the lifting keel version compare with the full keel version?
4) Are there any major advantages of the 35 over the 30, except a bit more space?
Advice would be appreciated.
My questions are:
1) Is the lifting keel boat suitible to drying out on a variety of surfaces such as mud and hard surfaces? Does the keel retract fully? I am also concerned about mud blocking the keel channel and hard surfaces damaging the bottom.
2) If so would I need beaching legs or does she settle flat?
3) How does sailing performance and sea worthiness of the lifting keel version compare with the full keel version?
4) Are there any major advantages of the 35 over the 30, except a bit more space?
Advice would be appreciated.