Trying to Save my Freedom 21 - Sail, Boom and Probably More

[Jug]

Firstly, I am extremely grateful to have found this group, to those who run it and the community for the fascinating and fact filled posts I’ve spent hours reading through. Thank you All!

This is my first post and sadly one regarding a plea for help.

I’ve been sailing for over 40 years now after being swept away with the sense of adventure bestowed on me from reading the Swallows & Amazons books by Arthur Ransome. After a 15 year pause (land locked!) and a change in tack in my life, I purchased a beautiful but tired Freedom 21 after moving to Dubai. It’s a wonderful little cruiser (which I have named Forever 21) which I believe is a UK built variant with twin keels and an aluminium mast. She deserves some love so I set about having her refurbished.

Sadly, during the process I have been the victim of some dishonest workers who, to cut a long story short, have stolen my mainsail, rigging and aluminium boom!

I am comfortable sourcing the material and having a boom made and I’ve done my research here on the various options for a replacement sail but I have understood the importance of getting the dimensions and specifications right for both for which I am asking your help.

If I have read the posts and incredibly useful archived articles correctly, the mainsail measurements are based on the carbon fibre mast. My first question is: Can I use the P and E measurements documented as a guide for the aluminium mast variant or have they been calculated considering the curvature of the carbon mast under load? I will still measure my mast from goose neck to top for the P measurement and I can get the exact dimensions of the slot profile for the runners but I’ve found a few of the lofts I’ve spoken to have plans for the carbon mast and aren’t sure if they would match the aluminium dimensions.

As the boom will also have to be manufactured, I am planning to use the standard E measurements documented and add a few inches to the length of the boom (hardware positioning I will try to figure out as I go) but my question is, does anyone have a reference for the dimensions of the original boom? I believe it was oval in section but the length I’m not sure of and I can’t find an image of the actual profile of the extrusion.

As I’m based in the UAE and don’t have the biggest budget, I’ll be ordering the sails from overseas and won’t have a designer available to inspect the boat so, I would also be grateful if someone could help me with the shape and, reefing and Barton soec Inwoild need to give the loft.

I believe there is some archived articles for rigging dimensions but if someone knows the mainsail halyard’s length and spec it would be very helpful.

And finally, though it’s a longshot, does anyone have or know of any used mainsails and/or aluminium booms that may be available for sale? They might make a good starting point for me.

Sorry this has been somewhat verbose. I’ve never posted in a forum before but I’m determined to save my beloved “Forever 21” and keep the Freedom flag flying in the sunny waters of the UAE.

Any help or advice you may be able to offer would be greatly appreciated.

Justin

[mitbok]

I have ordered a new main this year through FarEast Sails. Run me about USD 900. I have a carbon must but i have not put this into discussion of sail construction. honestly don’t think it might matter much. If anything, you could probably go with same design as mine. Only complaint I had after getting the sail is the number of slides. They installed to many (one at each batten and two more in between)

[mitbok]

As far as documentation for F21, there is plenty on this site. Ask away if you don’t find something you need.

[newt2u]

Hi Jug,

yes you have the UK version with twin drop keels. I have the same but mine has the carbon mast. Concerning the masts, I do not think you will find very much difference between the aluminium and carbon masts, except perhaps the weight. The carbon mast is very stiff and although it does bend a little, it really does not impact the sail draft. Concerning the boom, mine certainly has an oval section. I can take some measurements next week if you are interested. It was made by Kemp which is now part of Selden. The main has two single line reefing points with the lines coming through the boom through a couple of shelves on the boom. I attach a couple of images of my boom.

[newt2u]

You can find documentation on sails, line lengths and commissioning instructions here:

Freedom 21 Sailboat Original Documents

It is difficult to download these items due to the way the data is embedded in the page.

[Lionel7]

I agree the difference between the carbon and aluminum mast shouldn’t make much difference and any performance gained by the slight difference would seem negligible. I’ve owned two 21’s and the current boat is on a mooring right by our summer residence. I have a lot of pictures and could get you any measurements you need. The internals on the reefing system internal to the boom may be your biggest challenge if you can’t find a diagram. Freedom had a pretty unique reeling system on all the boats but it works very well. Worth being sure you get it right.

[Jug]

You have a beautiful boat and thank you, That’s certainly reassuring my confidence

If you do have the opportunity to check, it would be very useful if you could confirm the foot length (E) of your main is the 3.28m standard and what the overall length of your carbon boom is, and perhaps the position of any line holes and/or hardware fittings.

I’m pretty sure my mast is one of the flag poles Proctor used in the 80’s but it may have been replaced so I’ll use the data I’m gathering to compare lengths to my actual luff (P) on my mast and calculate the aspect from there.

The reef lines may be a little tricky for me to get right but if I can afford to go with the Selden B087 profile, I think it has an internal channel for a line. I’m not sure if 2 would work in that, but If it comes to it, I’d compromise on a single reef.

Thank you again for your response and support

[Jug]

Thank you, yes… it took some figuring out, but I’ve managed to download everything that’s still there. Very useful! Very grateful!

I believe @Wilfred934 has a very similar spec boat to mine so his nuggets of information were of particular interest to me.

[Jug]

Thank you so much for the kind support.

Yes, the reefing system will be the challenge.

Currently I have the option of ordering the Selden B087 aluminium boom or having one made here in the UAE. I’ve found a reputable rigging outfit here who are trying to help, but I need to give them as detailed a spec as possible.

If you have any images of the reefing system and where they enter/exit the boom it would be very helpful. Do they run to the cleats/jammers on the left or right of the cockpit?

Thanks again

[Jug]

Thank you for the reassurance.

Yes, Far East is one of my options, good to note about the number of runners. Thanks.

I also have found a couple of local riggers who order from Asia but who would be able to measure up and help confirm the fit with me.. and then possibly make adjustments later on.

North have a representative in Dubai but he’s not yet responded. The other, Ragged Edge Rigging, are very helpful and are also the rep for Selden so they could manage the boom build and loft work. A little more expensive but logic tells me it’ll be well worth it.

They order sails from Doyle in China. I’ve not yet read up on reviews from them but as long as the fit is good and it doesn’t fall apart in the first year or 2, I’ll be happy.

[Jug]

I’m also interested to know what the gooseneck or boom/mast attachment looks like.

I’m sure mine will be different (see pic) but I’m also guessing it might be a home made replacement someone added over the years.

If I order the Selden boom at the higher price, I will also buy the corresponding mast attachment, but I’ll probably have to fashion an adapter to match my mast diameter.

I’m guessing yours doesn’t look anything like this:

[Jug]

One measurement I haven’t yet found is for the mast boot (I think that’s the name). Mine was made of wood and was broken when they pulled the mast.

Are you able to let me know the outer diameter and thickness?

I very much doubt I’ll find a replacement but I’m sure I can get one made locally here if I can find the right material to use.

[newt2u]

There are two parts on my boat where the mast goes through the deck, neither are wood. There is a ring wedge made of some kind of plastic, I think people have sourced this in the US in linear form not folded as a ring, try searching this site. It is wedge shaped and hammered down to secure the mast in the centre. Then there is the mast boot made of rubber that stops water ingress. See below

There is an article on another page of the way back machine on how to make one:

Freedom 21 Sailboat Modifications

Your gooseneck looks similar to mine in practice (not identical), it is just a matter of getting a boom fitting to match.

I will get some measurements and pictures today… more later

[newt2u]

Hi Jug, I am not sure if you will find this useful but I have a dropbox folder with lots of photos of the refit I undertook when I bought Rockin. I did this for the PO. Here is a link if you are interested.

Dropbox

[Jug]

Thank you, and thank you very much for all the photos both useful and inspiring! From one of your pictures, and the standard sail dimensions in the archives, I’ve managed to make a scale drawing of the sail and boom. If the foot on that Lucas main is/was 3280mm then I’ve estimated the carbon boom length to be around 2300 (carbon length) and 2450 (with both end cap components). Would be interesting to see how far off I am as that could be the basis for me calculating the other component positions. Thank you again!

[Lionel7]

Mine doesn’t look like that at all. I think it’s a difference in the UK and US boat.

Doug Payne
dougpayne48@gmail.com

[Lionel7]

Paul Dennis on the east coast of the US, Waren River Boat Works was the Production manager in the original factory. No one knows more about freedoms than him. He has a derelect 21 that he has been parting out. He might have the boom. It would be expensive to ship, but might be an option.

Attached are commissioning instructions showing the mast boot assembly for the US boat
Attached are a second set of commissioning instructions with all the running rigging lines in a diagram. They will answer your questions on how the reefing lines run through the jammers.

Next time on the boat I will take pics of the reefing system on the boom. It might be a couple days till I get out for a sail to do so,

Doug Payne
dougpayne48@gmail.com

(attachments)

F21 Commissioning Instructions.pdf (1.62 MB)
f21commission.pdf (410 KB)

[Lionel7]

My mast has the hinge system to allow the mast to be stepped more efficiently without a crane. The US boats without the hinged base could have a different boot, and it could be the same as the UK boat, Not sure.

Doug Payne
dougpayne48@gmail.com

[newt2u]

Hi Jug,

Here are the measurements of the boom.

Length 3400mm from gooseneck pin to end of boom

Foot length tight 3220

Boom pin to kicker 890mm

Boom pin to first main sheet attachment 1910 mm to the next one 2110mm

I’ll upload pictures later, I’m on poor mobile data atm.

[newt2u]

Here are the pictures of gooseneck, boom end and various attachment points. I have higher resolution photos but these would have to wait until I am back on my starlin connection… still on mobile data here.