Posted by davisjonathan1946 (jon.annie@…>)
to Mark Edwards
Some boats i have seen advertised list a designer named Paris as
their boats designer,did he take over the evolution of the original
cat ketch by Gary Hoyt.There seem to be three differant
configuaration,long keel,centre board and a fixed keel version,how do
they compare with there windward ability.In the uk these boats were
mainly made with a centre board and had an offset companion way
hatch,this gave these boats a double aft cabin under the cockpit all
the american boats i have seen have a more normal layout can you give
me history of these boats so that i have full information when
looking to buy.Also what is considered to be the best and easiest rig
as thers seems to be some variation with wishbone or standard booms.
Posted by arrancomrades (arrancomrades@…>)
— In freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com, “davisjonathan1946”
<jon.annie@t…> wrote:
to Mark Edwards
Some boats i have seen advertised list a designer named Paris as
their boats designer,did he take over the evolution of the original
cat ketch by Gary Hoyt.There seem to be three differant
configuaration,long keel,centre board and a fixed keel version,how
do
they compare with there windward ability.In the uk these boats were
mainly made with a centre board and had an offset companion way
hatch,this gave these boats a double aft cabin under the cockpit
all
the american boats i have seen have a more normal layout can you
give
me history of these boats so that i have full information when
looking to buy.Also what is considered to be the best and easiest
rig
as thers seems to be some variation with wishbone or standard booms.
Jonathan,
The Freedom 33 CK was launched in the UK around 1980, almost
identical to the US boats of the same name. The company went bust
around 1985 and reappeared about 1986 selling the same boat, but now
named the Freedom 35. This was apparently to make way for the
Freedom 33 sloop (badged as the Freedom 32 in the USA, I believe.)
They then brought out a Freedom 35 sloop so the rebadging was wasted
and costs me on my marina bill as “Freedom 35” is stuck onto the
sides and would take a lot of work to remove completely.
The second batch of F33/35 CKs were moulded in the Isle of Man and
finished in Cornwall. Most (all?) have alloy masts whereas the 1980
boats had carbon. A “long-keel” version was offered and sold well (I
have one), the main advantage being the loss of the centreboard case
which opens up the saloon. It also steers better in most conditions
but does not beat or tack well, except in smooth water. It’s
probably even more stable and stiff than the centreboard boat as the
lead is outside in the form of a stub keel and the rudder is hung at
its heel and the prop is well protected. Draught at rest about 4’ 4"
but nearer five feet when motoring due to squat. Overall it is a
very good cruising boat - we’ve spent 14 of the last 19 months
aboard, including 3 months ashore, living aboard.
There are a very few “deep keel” boats, “Grand Slam” is one, with a
short fixed keel where the centreboard goes, drawing six feet. These
sail as well as the centreboard boats, I think. All these CKs have
the offset companion way hatch and double aft cabin under the
cockpit.
A number have been re-rigged with conventional booms. I can see some
point in doing this to the backsail as the sprayhood makes it hard to
furl and it would make rigging a bimini more feasible. I think you
might get away without a kicking strap on the backsail, using a
foreguy when necessary - we need this anyway in a sloppy sea. The
frontsail benefits from the wishbone when goose-winged. At least one
has been re-rigged with junk rig lugsails.
Mike Johnston, “Arran Comrades”.