FREEDOM 25 RACING AND UPWIND PERFORMANCE

Posted by tadams9653 (tadams@…>)

Greetings - I have been a fan of the Freedom line for over 20 years
and after owning a long chain of traditional boats ( merit 25 -
santana 20 -525-35 ranger 29 - capri 30 - farr 30 ) I am planning on
purchasing a wing mast F25 in January. I would like to gather
comments on owners experience with the boat racing - particulay upwind
performance in light to medium conditions - although the boat will be
used mostly for cruising I know i will do some races just for the
challenge. I plan to add a jib / staysail for light upwind work if
the boat does not already have one added by the previous owner. I
understand that the boat will be at a disadvantage upwind in the light
stuff compared to traditional boats but would like to have some idea
from other owners experience what I should expect - for example
compared to a Catalina 25 or 27 in say 6 knots of breeze and flat
water. Also any comments / suggestions on type of staysail - my
thoughts are a light full hoist no overlap jib. Is the lack of upwind
speed / pointing ability massive to the point of making the boat
unraceable ? The number of PHRF certificates issued to the design
suggest the boat has been raced throughout the country with some
regularity. Any comments / suggestions woulb be greatly appreciated.
If you have extensive personal experience racing a F25 and would like
to have a phone discussion please call me at work 1-800-443-4746. All
imput either online thru this forum or in person is appreciated.

Thanks - Tim Adams