I will probably be exiting this list soon, having been lurking to pick up bits
of info about
these innovative boats.
The well-kept F-38 at The Sailing Life in Portland is the only one we have
really been
interested in, both in terms of size, layout, general condition, and price
level.
After spending quite a bit of time aboard looking around we came to the
conclusion that a
Freedom might not be the right move for us.
The cockpit and deck layout is above average, and the interior layout is very
usuable –
even to having a usuable nav desk.
The sad truth is that there are almost NO boats like this on the market.The new
ones are
poorly designed for any use other than day sailing on 12 knot days and “gracious
dockside
living.”
After talking it over we decided that we could never be comfortable with the
threat of the
cored hull ‘going south’… we just know of too many boats with coring problems,
and most
were from TPI/J Boat. Even if the hull metered out good and the hammer agreed,
the other
minus was the amount of woodwork the factory had lavished to near-permanently
conceal
the hull-to-deck joint. We have owned too many boats and worked with too many
other
owners to take a chance on this. Everything must be accessable for reapairs as
a boat
ages.
Since several sailors in this group have, over that last year, generously
offered us chances
to visit and view their boats and talk to them, it seems proper to thank you all
for your
hospitality.
And, no, I will never say “never.” The right Freedom, passing a thorough survey,
might yet
tempt us someday…
After all, we more or less fell into the present boat we have now owned for 11
years.
Karma and Fate are mysterious things…
After talking it over we decided that we could never be comfortable
with the threat of the
cored hull ‘going south’… we just know of too many boats with
coring problems, and most
were from TPI/J Boat.
Yes I know of several J-Boat failures, a few of which have been
repaired at CSR in Seattle.
However, J-Boats are SCRIMP construction and Freedoms are not.
Big difference. I used to know the old production manager at TPI.
Freedoms will never have a small piece of hardware take down the rig.
The masts never corrode.
The chainplates never pull out.
The rudders have a composite stock that is one of the best in the
world. I’ve seen boats lost due to a rudder failure.
Posted by Jeff Chale (jwchale@…>)
I agree, it is a “pick your poision” situation. I have seen many solid glass hulls suffer delamination, extensive blistering, and rig problems - none of which I have experienced owning three Freedoms. In fact, I have not had one structural problem in 21 years of owning Freedoms. JeffDave_Benjamin <dave_benjamin@…> wrote: > After talking it over we decided that we could never be comfortable with the threat of the > cored hull ‘going south’… we
just know of too many boats with coring problems, and most > were from TPI/J Boat. Yes I know of several J-Boat failures, a few of which have been repaired at CSR in Seattle.However, J-Boats are SCRIMP construction and Freedoms are not.Big difference. I used to know the old production manager at TPI.Freedoms will never have a small piece of hardware take down the rig. The masts never corrode.The chainplates never pull out.The rudders have a composite stock that is one of the best in the world. I’ve seen boats lost due to a rudder failure. Lots of bad stuff can happen.Just pick your poison.
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