Posted by dmairspotter (dpotter@…>)
Hi all
I am considering an F-35 for my “next boat”. I am impressed with the
overall design, reputation for quality build, and of course the
mast/rig features.
I sail the coast of Maine at present, but in the future would want the
capability to get to Bermuda/Bahamas/Carribean. Crew size would be
small on longer cruises, usually two. Here in Maine I would like the
ability to solo.
I would appreciate any comments re:
-
What to look/look out for in the 35
-
General sailing attributes compared to more conventional boats
(like a Tartan 30, my last boat)
-
Suitability for Cruising offshore as described.
Also, are there any charter companies in the Bahamas/Carribean where
an F35 can still be chartered? I know there used to be but can’t find
any now. Actually, I’d be interested in chartering one anywhere.
Thanks
Posted by Thomas Wales (twales@…>)
Greetings from Maine,
I can’t speak to the F35, but I’m very happy with '84 F32. I,
too, sail the coast of Maine, out of Pemaquid. The boat is solid, reliable
and stands up well to a breeze. It’ll heel to about 15 Degrees and stay
there up to 20+ Kts of breeze. The boat is quite simple to sail and easy
to single hand. I don’t miss grinding winches at all.
The only Freedom charters in the Caribbean that I know about is
the Bitter End Yacht Club charters F30’s.
Good luck,
TW
F32 #20
Anoush Koon, Pemaquid, ME
At 02:25 PM 1/23/2007 +0000, you wrote:
Hi all
I am considering an F-35 for my “next boat”. I am impressed with the
overall design, reputation for quality build, and of course the
mast/rig features.
I sail the coast of Maine at present, but in the future would want the
capability to get to Bermuda/Bahamas/Carribean. Crew size would be
small on longer cruises, usually two. Here in Maine I would like the
ability to solo.
I would appreciate any comments re:
-
What to look/look out for in the 35
-
General sailing attributes compared to more conventional boats
(like a Tartan 30, my last boat)
-
Suitability for Cruising offshore as described.
Also, are there any charter companies in the Bahamas/Carribean where
an F35 can still be chartered? I know there used to be but can’t find
any now. Actually, I’d be interested in chartering one anywhere.
Thanks
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Posted by Michael G Katz (mgkatz@…>)
A guy named Jim Sallenger charters a couple Freedom 38s and a Freedom 32 up in New England. His phone number is (781) 891-6197
You can check out his web site: http://www.sailboatcharter.net/index.html
He is a friendly guy, knows a lot about Freedoms, and might know of other Freedoms for charter.
I also know there were some Freedom’s for charter up in Pac Northwest, out of Bellingham and Anacortes, I believe. A 36 for sure, but I can’t remember if also a 35. Try Anacortes Yacht Charters and/or San Juan Sailing.
MK
----- Original Message -----
From: dmairspotter
To: freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2007 7:25 AM
Subject: [freedomyachts2003] Request for F 35 info
Hi allI am considering an F-35 for my “next boat”. I am impressed with theoverall design, reputation for quality build, and of course themast/rig features.I sail the coast of Maine at present, but in the future would want thecapability to get to Bermuda/Bahamas/Carribean. Crew size would besmall on longer cruises, usually two. Here in Maine I would like theability to solo.I would appreciate any comments re:1) What to look/look out for in the 352) General sailing attributes compared to more conventional boats(like a Tartan 30, my last boat)3) Suitability for Cruising offshore as described.Also, are there any charter companies in the Bahamas/Carribean wherean F35 can still be chartered? I know there used to be but can’t findany now. Actually, I’d be interested in chartering one anywhere.Thanks
Posted by Art Kuehne (akuehne@…>)
I’ve owned a shoal draft F-35 (1996) since last March and I’m very happy with both the accomodations and the performance under sail. Typically my wife and two kids (8 and 11 years old) cruise with me. WIth the two seperate cabins there is enough room that the kids can go to bed (they prefer the aft cabin, my wife gets a little claustrophobic back there) and we can stay up in the salon. The ventilation and natural lighting is great. The galley is fine for my needs. I added a gas grill hung off of the stern pulpit. I’m probably going to add fans for hot days on the hook, and I have A/C for really hot days when it’s worth it to get a sip.
My wife likes to be on the water, but prefers to lounge as opposed to sail. This often leaves me single handing. With a good autopilot, there is really no need for more than one person to sail an F-35. Tacking or gybeing is a matter of turning the wheel. I let the autopilot drive to go fiddle with sail shape. With a SA/D ratio of about 20 the boat has adequate canvas for sailing in the light airs of the Chespeake Bay. I have to reef the main when the apparent wind gets upwards of 17 knots. Personally I’d rather have a boat that I need to reef on a windy day than one that’s a pig in light air. Off the wind performance is excellent, especially with a good breeze. I’ve found the boat very controllable, even surfing down wind in steep seas at 10 knots. I’m planning on adding an asymmetric cruising chute to improve my down wind performance in light air. I raced the boat once last fall and did reasonably well considering the barnacle colony that I found on the bottom of my keel when I hauled out. I feel that I can point with most cruising boats, and it’s down to smaller factors like sail quality and helmsmanship. The original sails are on the boat and they still have some life in them, but are far past their prime. I’m also replacing the fixed two blade prop with a folding three blade and I’m hoping to gain some noticable speed both under power and sail. Before I bought this boat I owned a Freedom 21 for 20 years. I’m obviously a big fan of the unstayed carbon fiber rig. Most of the mast failures you hear about consist of some little fitting or other that blows up and takes down the whole rig. I feel very safe with this rig and Freedom has shown excellent reliability.
One thing to watch out for: I have heard that some F-35s have had water intrusion around the portlights in the deck and the hull that has lead to core delamination. The original owner of my boat had all of the ports removed and the core sealed off with epoxy to eliminate the potential problem. Make sure the inspector takes a moisture meter around all of the stainless portlights, and everything else for that matter!
My long range plans for this boat also entail extended cruising with my wife up and down the East Coast and the Carribean. Good luck in your search!
----- Original Message -----
From: dmairspotter
To: freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2007 9:25 AM
Subject: [freedomyachts2003] Request for F 35 info
Hi allI am considering an F-35 for my “next boat”. I am impressed with theoverall design, reputation for quality build, and of course themast/rig features.I sail the coast of Maine at present, but in the future would want thecapability to get to Bermuda/Bahamas/Carribean. Crew size would besmall on longer cruises, usually two. Here in Maine I would like theability to solo.I would appreciate any comments re:1) What to look/look out for in the 352) General sailing attributes compared to more conventional boats(like a Tartan 30, my last boat)3) Suitability for Cruising offshore as described.Also, are there any charter companies in the Bahamas/Carribean wherean F35 can still be chartered? I know there used to be but can’t findany now. Actually, I’d be interested in chartering one anywhere.Thanks