Does anyone here know anything about a lifting keel version of the Freedom 25? Have seen an F25 for sale on the uk with what looks like a hydraulically operated lifting keel. I’d be interested to find more information. Is it a uk only option like the F21, perhaps a one off, as I could find no information online about such a variation.
Hello Newt2u,
To the best of my knowledge, the lifting keel version of the F25 was only produced in the UK.
Happy sailing,
Jim D
Hi Jim,
thanks, I suspected that might be the case. Do you know anything about them?
Chris
I managed to get some photos of the F25 (UK) lifting keel version and thought I would post them here for reference. The boat is for sale in the UK at a tad under £7K. I was interested but not really in a position to swap for my F21 currently.
The only Freedom with a lifting keel produced in USA is the Freedom 24.
I recently acquired one of the few Tripp Freedom 24’s produced.
Happy Sailing
Jim D
I assume that is the same hull as the UK F25. Also the keel looks to be of similar proportions and ballast. How do you find it, does it sail well?
Totally different boats. The Freedom 24 is a William Tripp III design from the mid 1990’s, while the Freedom 25 is a Garry Hoyt design from the early 1980’s.
The F24 is rigged more like a sloop than a cat boat with a jib on a furler and asymmetric spinnaker on an articulating bow sprit.
I have not sailed my F24 yet. I picked her up last week and she needs a lot of elbow grease before I can launch her. My F24 has been sitting on the hard, under some trees, for at least 15 years. I purchased a new jib because after being exposed to the elements for over 15 years the original on is toast.
I did sail a different F24 years ago, but the winds were too light to really judge how she sailed.
Happy Sailing
Jim D
Yes I can see that now, quite different. Best of luck with your refurbishment. I had a similar experience, my F21 had been left on a trailer for almost 20 years in a yard. Luckily sails and spars were dry stored and survived just fine. In my case the trailer was toast!
Hope you enjoy her when you get afloat.
Cheers
Chris
Hi Jim
I am looking at a Freedom 24 and hope you may be able to answer some questions? Where is the manual keel lifting device ? Is it located within the cabin on the keel housing tower, or is it a device that is used above the cabin top? Can the keel be positioned anywhere between top up and down? Are you keeping the 24?
Thanks,
John
Hello John,
In my F24 the lifting mechanism is in the head, bolted to the keel trunk. It’s a regular trailer winch that needs to be spun 2 million times to lift the keel all the way up. I replaced the stif cable wire with a dyneerma line and added a pulley to the top of the keel.
Years ago I looked at an F24 where the owner installed an electric winch over the keel trunk. I will search for some pictures of both.
I have yet to sail my F24. It was neglected for over 10 years when I bought her. Hopefully I can splash her next year
Happy sailing
Jim D
Hi Jim,
Thanks very much. The one I’m looking at has the winch on the top of the cabin top. It looks like a moveable set up as the boom vang would appear to get in the way. Makes me believe that it was a modification from the original design. Please let me know if you decide to sell?
Thanks,
John
Hello John,
There are two lengths of keels. The long keels, when fully retracted will penetrate through the cabin top. I believe this keel requires the winch to be installed on the cabin top straddling the keel trunk. I have the short keel version with the winch inside the head. See the attached pictures.
I will not sell my F 24. I have a rare incurable Freedom affliction.
Btw with an A-Frame you can step and un-step these masts by yourself.
Here are some pics.
Happy sailing,
Jim
Thanks again Jim
This is the setup I have seen. A little difference from the manual in the head, but seems similar to the electric on the cabin top. So maybe it is not a modification.
Still wonder if it needs to be pinned at an intermediate position, or whether it can set anywhere between top and bottom. I remember raising a board when sailing downwind in 420's.The F24 may not allow this when club racing.
I understand your attraction to the Freedom. Let me know when you launch, and good luck!
John