My freedom 33 was made in 1987 it is a sloop with gun mount and aluminium mast made by proctor would like to know who made it
What is your Freedom’s Hull Identification Number?
Not sure no number stamped or plared anywhere but I think it was made in isle of Man by freedom yachts
I had an aluminium mast on my Freedom 25. The hull was T&P built but imported new to UK by its first owner. My understanding was that the aluminium mast it was fitted with was constructed in France as the manufacturer had the skill to manufacture a tapered mast “in one”. Makers name sadly lost in the mists of time. Re your hull number, this should appear on the stern just beneath any teak deck capping.
Just a possibility ex-a Google search :- A prominent French manufacturer of aluminum mast extrusions is Flandria Aluminium, part of Exlabesa Group. They specialize in the extrusion, processing, and surface treatment of aluminum profiles. Their facility in Warneton, France, has been producing aluminum profiles for over 50 years and is equipped with two extrusion lines. Exlabesa acquired Flandria in 2023 to expand their presence in northern Europe.
My mast was made by proctor. Found some information
Looks like it was made by freedom yachts in the isle of Mann
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Hello,
I own hull nb 10 which was made by Western Yachts in Southampton.
As for the mast, I don’t know who made it. I suspect it is a Needlespar. They were known for tapered aluminium techniques. I contacted them, but they don’t make masts anymore.
I have a 1986 33 with a needle spar mast. I understand that she was the first 33 built in Falmouth.
Rather a late reply, but might still be of interest.
All the UK Freedom cat-ketch hulls were made in the Isle of Man by Apple Yachts. The early ones were fitted out in Hamble, the later ones in Falmouth. I don’t know if they made the later sloops, which were quite different.
Mine was completed in Falmouth in 1987, and originally had two aluminium masts, each made in two parts with an internal sleeve at the join. I understand they were made by Proctor Masts in the UK. The sleeve in the foremast broke, due, the PO thought, to a sail cut with a pronounced curve in the luff, which did not meet the original specification. He replaced it with a TP carbon fibre mast, and so I have one of each.
The PO told me that once, the running backstay broke whilst the boat was pressed in an acceleration zone in the Canaries, and he was carrying a large mizzen staysail, and the aluminium mast bent to a great degree, but remained undamaged by the few minutes until he could free the sheet and halliard. It is still standing, twenty five years later.
Thank you
My mast is a proctor two piece but i replaced the bottom section when it snapped due to corrosion at the cabin top