Posted by d1363us (D1363@…>)
I am looking into purchase of a Freedom 35 or 38.
Does anyone have any imput as to which is the better sailer?
THANKS
Darrell Davey
Blakely Island, WA
Posted by Michael G Katz (mgkatz@…>)
I am biased, since I own an F38, but I did charter an F35 in the BVI for a week a few years back. I was very impressed with the 35, and had some great sails on all points–including a wonderful broad reach/run along the north shore of Tortola from Virgin Gorda to Cane Garden Bay. When it came time to buy (about 18 months ago) I was already sold on the Freedom concept and rig, and investigated the 35 and 36. Initially I didn’t know there was a 38, and learned how it evolved from the 36. I was told by knowledgeable people, including a delivery skipper, that the 38 was a better boat for offshore–very solid, stable (minimal heel), versatile. The 35 was said to be a “bit faster,” more tender, and needed more attention to the helm.
I can tell you that my experience with the 38 so far has been terrific–comfortable, big boat feel, very good on all points of sail–even downwind. If it gives up anything to windward to a conventional sloop–and I’ve owned 2 sloops and chartered twenty five different boats–I don’t really miss it; and the ability to tack with no muss or fuss really makes up for that since you can sail to windward and tack back and forth when others have dropped sail and are motoring into the wind. (That happens all the time.)
For me it also came down to the fact that I could get a 4’ wing keel with the 38, and things like a chart table with its own nifty “bar stool” seat (although the 35 shower stall is really nice).
Good luck with the search!
Michael
----- Original Message -----
From: d1363us
To: freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, August 20, 2004 11:58 PM
Subject: [freedomyachts2003] F35 vs F38
I am looking into purchase of a Freedom 35 or 38.Does anyone have any imput as to which is the better sailer?THANKSDarrell DaveyBlakely Island, WA
Posted by Dave_Benjamin (dave_benjamin@…>)
— In freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com, “d1363us” <D1363@e…>
wrote:
I am looking into purchase of a Freedom 35 or 38.
Does anyone have any imput as to which is the better sailer?
The one your wife lets you buy!
Seriously though I don’t have a clue. Never had a chance to sail the
35. If you want an unbiased observer during a sea trial in the Pac
NW I’d love to join you. I like the Pedrick designed 35 from other
standpoints though. It makes good use of space and the later models
have better hardware than the older 36/38’s. I think all the 35’s
were made in the post TPI era so you might want to research
construction differences.
Posted by ketchman47 (katch47@…>)
Dave, the 35’s are fast- the PHRF indicates a faster boat than the
36/38 model. HOWEVER, the 36 I sail is no slouch! It is a fast and
able sailor, handles beautifully, and has lots more room than the
35. The 35 is really superbly laid out, but it is a 33’ boat with a
sugar scoop, just as the 38 is a 36 with a sugar scoop transom. Our
friend races a 35 in club races and we went aboard- I was impressed,
but almost laughed out loud when she showed us her “huge” cockpit
locker- it is about 10% as big as ours. Seriously, it is a very nice
boat and excellent use has been made of the interior space. If you
have a choice and spend a lot of time on the boat the 38 has much
more elbow room storage, etc. Go look at them both. You certainly
won’t be disappointed in the sailing qualities of the 38- I’ve won
silver with my 36 (same boat - no sugar scoop). The Freedom factory
folk say that the 36 is “bullet -proof”. It is quite well-built.
Feel free to ask any other questions…
Lenny
Posted by Jacqui MacConnell (jacimacc@…>)
Having seen both the 35 and the 36/38, I bought the
latter.
With apologies to owners of the former, I can only
concur with comments below. And we’ve sometimes beaten
the J-boats
and even a Santa Cruz 52, on “real time”. This has got
to be
because I have a sharp and contrarian crew, but,
still…
Jacqui Mac, Sparrow, Bellingham, WA State
— ketchman47 <katch47@…> wrote:
Dave, the 35’s are fast- the PHRF indicates a faster
boat than the
36/38 model. HOWEVER, the 36 I sail is no slouch! It
is a fast and
able sailor, handles beautifully, and has lots more
room than the
35. The 35 is really superbly laid out, but it is a
33’ boat with a
sugar scoop, just as the 38 is a 36 with a sugar
scoop transom. Our
friend races a 35 in club races and we went aboard-
I was impressed,
but almost laughed out loud when she showed us her
“huge” cockpit
locker- it is about 10% as big as ours. Seriously,
it is a very nice
boat and excellent use has been made of the interior
space. If you
have a choice and spend a lot of time on the boat
the 38 has much
more elbow room storage, etc. Go look at them both.
You certainly
won’t be disappointed in the sailing qualities of
the 38- I’ve won
silver with my 36 (same boat - no sugar scoop). The
Freedom factory
folk say that the 36 is “bullet -proof”. It is quite
well-built.
Feel free to ask any other questions…
Lenny
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