Hello all,
I recently purchases a freedom 21 that is in need of some minor work, clean up and general maintenance. One thing it doesn’t have is the gun mount spinnaker and I can’t seem to find any information about how to replace it or find one. Any info would be helpful on that one. And the second might more of a long shot hope but if anyone has dimensions for a dodger I would really appreciate it. I have search and haven’t found much anywhere on them. Thanks
Do you have the gun mount?
Do you have the spinnaker mount (it’s a bit of pipe about a foot long, 3" in diameter with a bolt welded to the center)?
Do you have the spinnaker pole?
Do you have the spinnaker itself?
The necessary lines aren’t special, but you’ll need a halyard, two sheets for each clew, reins (attached to each end of the pole so you can angle the pole), and lines to pull the pole port and starboard (my F25 has them, the F21 might not).
Since the spinnaker was standard, you ought to have all the correct blocks at the top and base of the gunmount, unless a previous owner removed them of course.
Thanks for your response. All I have is thr gun mount and the rigging is still there. No pole no sail. Willing to buy or have a friend make me the pole if i can get the dimensions. Thanks.
The gun mount kits for any of the Freedoms rarely become available. It would be possible but a big project to built one if you has all the dimensions. As for the Dodger, the search for photos of F-21s with dodgers for design ideas. Then show what you want style wise to a good marine canvas shop and they will build one. If you are going DYI, check with Sailrite.com. They will have the supplies you need and probably videos on how to build one.
Yeah I have the bracket on the bow and all the lines are there but old. Just no pole or sale. Is there more to the pole? I have a friend who owns a machining shop which is why if i could find more Info or pics he might be able to fashion one for me.
If you have the bracket you have the correct bow pulpit which is the toughest thing to find\build. All you need is the pole and a couple pulleys on the ends and sail which you can have made. I have a lot of F-21 documentation and it may be available on this sites document section.
I just bought a 1985 Tillotson Freedom 21 that is pretty good shape. Need to sand the bottom, seal and paint. Plus do some interior cleaning. Somewhere previously, I found some info on building a gin pole kind of arrangement for hoisting/installing the mast. That info is gone and I would like another chance at finding it. Getting it from this message board would be best. These photos
were taken recently at time of purchase where the shipyard pulled the mast. Thanks, Rob
Rob there is a wealth on information, including on raising your mast with an A frame here:
I have an A frame made from angle aluminium about 3mm thick but 2x4s also work.
Salemdood, I have a dodger on my F21. You can find aa picture and tons of videos on my YouTube channel:
I could take and upload more pictures and take dimensions if you like. It is held to the deck with plastic tracks like a dinghy sail and has a 2-part stainless frame. I got a sailmaker to make up this one but it was using the old tattered canvas as a pattern. I had to reroute the main sheet to work with it by taking it forward to the kicker and then back to a block on the deck leading it to the cockpit jammer.
Your youtube channel is what makes me want one on mine. Any info or picturss would be great. Im trying to diy a lot this winter when it out of the water.
I am going iut sailing tomorrow, I’ll take some pictures and see if i can get some dimensions too. Its a lot of work filming and editing. I do it for friends and family, as well as anyone interested in the boat.
I am sailing tomorrow, will take some pictures for you.
Yes there is a wealth of information - thank you !
Salemdood. This is a description and photos. I did not have a tape, so no measurements but you have your boat for that I guess.
The dodger is supported by two stainless hoops, the first is mounted to the cabin top and can swivel for and aft. The second hoop connects to the first and is adjustable so that tension can be put on the canvas. The canvas itself is secured to the deck with a bolt line sewn into the bottom, the threads through three separate tracks on the deck. The canvas is attached to the hoops with a complete seam on the top and smaller pockets on the lower hoop. The sides are attached with two poppers to the coamings and at the end a hook and line to adjust tension.
here are the photos I took, The are lower resolution as I am on holiday and do not have much bandwidth. Can post higher resolution later if you wish.
Update, my uploads keep failing will try to post pictures later.
I have uploaded photos to dropbox, it is more tolerant to my internet dropouts.
Ty so much! Thats perfect to get me started!
Are you sure you want to go that route? On the old Freedom forums there was a discussion on the F21 spinnaker and seems lots of folks (back then… now our population dwindled) were saying that asymmetrical spinnaker is way easier to use. Meaning if you want that addition to your rig, just purchase new or used asymmetrical spinnaker instead of reconstructing Hoyt’s gun mount.
Thanks for that info. I couldnt find any of those discussions but appreciate the info.
Newt, I could use some advice on what to do with the sliding companionway cover. It appears to be fiberglass and is badly deteriorated. Since it is curved, making a replacement might be above my pay grade. Also I would like to buy the rubber boot that joins/seals the mast to the deck rather than make one out of a inner tube - do you know where I could find one?
I don’t think you can buy the boot but maybe someone else can help you. Concerning your companion way cover, if you cannot do it perhaps you can get someone with more experience to make one for you.
Is the old one in a condition where it can be used to make a mold? If so it should not be too difficult. If not it’s still possible to make a mold from something like mdf and shape it to the correct profile. Anyone competent with fibreglass will be able to do it.
