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