2009-2024
What a story!
I’m going to need a lot of hindsight - three months, probably more - to realize what a somewhat crazy journey this has been.
A whole lifetime for an object I could never have afforded when new.
All this happened in France.
This Freedom 33, which crossed the Atlantic in 2009 to reach my country, was in average to fair condition.
A lot of work awaited me, but I went much further than a standard refit.
Opening the transom.
Two lifting rudders, connected by ropes.
Addition of an aft platform, for windvane gear and access when the boat is at anchor.
Addition of a mini doghouse and a hybrid bimini.
These are the main works. Countless details are added to the list. Those familiar with the Freedom 33 will be able to see what’s changed from the original yacht.
A very imperfect estimate of work time is around 24,000 hours. Probably 18,000 for the interior.
The launch was preceded by a stripping down!
For a long time, Freedom was covered with a tarpaulin to protect it from dust. I was also looking forward to the surprise of finally seeing the whole thing repainted.
The interior
Many elements have been modified, improved and changed.
The list is enormous. I ended up making six new LED spotlights myself.
I wanted to brighten up the interior, give it a bit of lightness and cheerfulness, with colorful touches.
And then this interior contains a new feature that I hope will work: an anchor rope winder, separate from the chain locker.
In the end, the previous owner would be totally unable to recognize his sailboat.
The lift-up rudders required a lot of work. They are especially designed to lift up in the event of impact with floating objects.
The rope connection is obviously inspired by James Wharram’s designs.
The rear platform is very practical. I’m very pleased with this design. And since there’s a vertical part (which supports the windvane gear), you feel protected.
The anchor rope winder: I may be the only one with such a system.
I didn’t like the fact that the anchor line went around the foremast, via two hawsepipes. It causes water ingress. I also wanted the rope part of the anchor to be as long as possible. Only a furler could offer that, while taking up a minimum of space.
I can furl up to 500 feet!
So there are two anchor lockers: one on the starboard side contains the chain, from which a tube runs to the starboard locker containing the reel.
I haven’t tested this system yet.
Another curiosity: a photo of the chinese scull that will be used as a bow thruster.
I just have 1 question. Are there wash-boards to go into the transom opening? I would think that you’d need something to keep a following sea out of the cockpit.
Hi Lorenzo, what an amazing project, both the innovation and the level of detail shown is remarkable. I hope you will continue to keep us updated here on her sea trials. I am sure that you could write a book on this project, if you did I would read it
She is beautiful! You set the bar very very high when it comes to the interior finish. I like the combination of wood and paint, it makes for a brighter interior. I also like the solid bimini rails connecting to the dodger, nice safety feature. How did you make the hard dodger? Is it plywood, grp, alu?
And what’s the navigation program?
