Hello, I’m new to the forum as I just purchased a Freedom 21 and have been working on getting her ready to sail for the last two months. The boat came with a spinnaker and pole and I’ve replaced all the running rigging, so I’m just about ready to fly the kite.
The only thing I’m missing is the spinnaker sock, which didn’t come with the boat. For now I plan to just be careful taking it down, but I would like to get a sock eventually.
I know it’s a long shot, but does anyone have a spare they’re selling?
Assuming not, I think I can handle making my own. I found this old doc with the basic dimensions, which will be extremely helpful: Chute Dimensions.pdf (405 KB)
However, that drawing is pretty limited in information. Specifically I’d really like to get more info on the attachment points/fittings as well as the material (Dacron? what weight?). Any pictures of the ends of the sock would be greatly appreciated. How does it attach to the pulpit? How does it attach to the boat at the other end?
Hi Ian, congratulations on your new Freedom and welcome to the forum!
One suggestion if you are not up to making your own sock would be a Chutescoop. I used one on both my previous boat (a trimaran with a large asymetrical spinnaker) and have one now on my Freedom 28. The price is very reasonable.
the F21 is a great little boat. I’m sure you will enjoy it.
My spinnaker sock is made from a lightweight mesh material using strengthening tape along its length. I can take some pics when I am next at the boat. It attaches to the pullpit using a number of lengths of cord. If I remember 4 corners to the top and two down at the front.
I’m sure any decent sailmaker would know what material to use and be able to make one up.
I’ve been trying to procure a spinnaker sleeve for my F32 sloop, without success. I’ve never seen one, nor specs, a detailed diagram or even clear photos. Haven’t been able to entice a sailmaker or canvas shop to make me one, as I can’t specify the design.
I suspect the design for an F32 might be quite similar to the one for the F21, but the bow pulpit configuration and material might be significantly different?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I think you can probably scale up the diagram uploaded by Wilf Bishop. Basically the mouth dimensions should match the opening in the pulpit as it ties just underneath that, the rest is just a tapered tube with the fat end blocked and a hole in the top that matches the pulpit. If you lay out your spinnaker and measure from the retrieve line to the clews/head, that will give you the approximate length of the tube. Sorry to both but I will not be down to the boat for a couple of weeks but will take some pictures then.
@waterg, thanks for the recommendation. The site linked doesn’t seem to provide much info beyond the purchase link – does the Chutescoop just work like a regular spinnaker sock?
@newt2u - I would love some pictures! Thank you so much. How does your sock attach at the aft end? Is it tied to the deck somehow?
Hi Ian, there is a cord at the tail end that attaches to the base of one of the stanchions. The retrieval line exits here and is tied to the end of the halliard to make them continuous.
Here are some pictures. Whatever dacron is used is pretty much the same weight as the main. But you could just make it out of sumbrella.
I don’t have a picture of the front but there is also a grommet on the bottom side of it to tie it down to the bottom to keep the hole open. Although I never tie that. you can kind of see it in the brochure pictures and the freedom video on youtube.
Next time I’m at the boat I’ll try to get some shots of the front of it so you can seen that end. looks like you’ve already found some of the information, but just in case, you can look up a lot on the old freedom21.info web site.
Just got down to the boat today and got the spinnaker ready fora sail tomorrow. I took some pictures, as you can see my spinnaker sock is much lighter than that already posted. It is made of a fine mesh material with taped seams under and around the ends. This allows the spinnaker to drain/dry if you get it wet. I find it works well.
Thanks! It all makes a lot more sense now that I can see it in action. I’ve decided to sew mine out of lightweight (1.9oz) ripstop nylon (mostly because I’m already familiar with the material) reinforced with 2" poly webbing where the grommets will go. Will update with some photos when I get around to actually doing it.
Following up to this old post with some updates: I sewed a sock ages ago but wasn’t actually able to try it out until this weekend. I rigged everything up and sadly found out that mine is too short by about 4 feet. I knew it was a little short but it turned out to be a bigger problem than I expected as I didn’t realize how badly the kite would get caught on the end.
Besides the length I actually really like how it turned out. My plan now is to just cut it in half and add a 4’ long straight (untapered) section to the middle of it. I don’t love how that will add two more seams / points of failure, but I think it will be alright.
Once I’m done and I’ve tested it, I’ll post more details on how I actually made it.
I finally flew the spinnaker for the first time this week! Just wanted to share and say thanks to everyone for all the advice. I didn’t take very many pictures this time but I still want to do a longer write up with some plans later. The extended sock worked perfectly.
Awesome! I love the look of a sailboat under spinnaker. Since I single hand a lot, one of my main reasons for buying a Freedom was how easy it is to fly the spinnaker!
That’s was the primary reason I bought mine as well! I had to replace the gun mount bearings, all the running rigging, and the sock, but it is so satisfying to finally be able to get those colors out after 6 months of owning the boat.
