Wanted: West coast Freedom 25?

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1

Posted by chrisburns_sanjose (chrisburns_sanjose@…>)

Hi all,

I’ve been learning to sail in a Laser for a few years out here in the SF Bay
area. I want to get
a bigger boat, and the Freedom 25 looks pretty interesting. I’d guess I can at
least
basically sail one, assuming I can figure out how to stay in the deep water. I’d
use the boat
for day sailing and occasional overnighters, inside the bay.

I’m pretty sure I’d prefer a “round mast” model. Sounds a bit simpler, and
probably one
year newer, possibly with some advances in the hull construction (from 83 to
84).

I think I’d have somewhat of a preference for a boat with an outboard motor
rather than
the inboard diesel, because I’d see this as somewhat reducing the number of
things that
can go wrong, plus you get a self-contained unit that can be taken in to the
experts if
need be.

I’d appreciate hearing if these thoughts are reasonable, plus any advice about:

Whether the Laser → Freedom 25 transition should be OK, as I’m expecting, for a
not-
tremendously-experienced sailor.

Whether this type of boat is acceptably suited to the SF Bay.

MOST OF ALL, does anybody know of a nice boat around here that might be for
sale? They
only seem to show up on the East coast.

Many thanks,
Chris Burns

2

Posted by Dave_Benjamin (dave_benjamin@…>)

If you can handle a Laser in SF Bay you’ll do fine with a F-25. Just
remember the Freedom weighs a lot more so you’ll have more inertia.
Consider taking a low cost USCG Auxillary class to learn the “rules
of the road” and some basic navigation. Kame Richards occasionally
gives a lecture on the tides and currents in the bay and how to make
them work for you. The Bay is one of the best sailing grounds in the
world.

Good luck finding a boat. You may have to travel a bit.

— In freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com, “chrisburns_sanjose”
<chrisburns_sanjose@…> wrote:

Hi all,

I’ve been learning to sail in a Laser for a few years out here in
the SF Bay area. I want to get
a bigger boat, and the Freedom 25 looks pretty interesting. I’d
guess I can at least
basically sail one, assuming I can figure out how to stay in the
deep water. I’d use the boat
for day sailing and occasional overnighters, inside the bay.

I’m pretty sure I’d prefer a “round mast” model. Sounds a bit
simpler, and probably one
year newer, possibly with some advances in the hull construction
(from 83 to 84).

I think I’d have somewhat of a preference for a boat with an
outboard motor rather than
the inboard diesel, because I’d see this as somewhat reducing the
number of things that
can go wrong, plus you get a self-contained unit that can be taken
in to the experts if
need be.

I’d appreciate hearing if these thoughts are reasonable, plus any
advice about:

Whether the Laser → Freedom 25 transition should be OK, as I’m
expecting, for a not-
tremendously-experienced sailor.

Whether this type of boat is acceptably suited to the SF Bay.

MOST OF ALL, does anybody know of a nice boat around here that
might be for sale? They
only seem to show up on the East coast.

Many thanks,
Chris Burns

3

Posted by bkuether (bkuether@…>)

Chris,

I can’t speak to the boat itself, as I too am trying to
transition “into” a freedom from another boat. (29 C&C on the
Chesapeake Bay) But I too was sold on the concept after reading the
multitude of posts. My poison is a 35 or 38…

If you truly know and understand the mechanics of sailing, you
should be fine. I would agree with the previous post, if you don’t
truly understand navigation, get that skill before proceeding
directly to the water with a new craft. Also, find someone who can
go with you the first couple of times to translate “training”
into “practical knowledge”. Its not just “knowing”, but
also “knowing when”.

Also, don’t be afraid of a diesel engine. Just like you are
upgrading your sailing skill set with a larger boat, upgrade your
engine skill set with a simple diesel. It is something you will
need to understand on your “30” or whatever you get into next. When
you buy the boat, if you find a diesel, just get a seperate engine
survey. Then take a diesel course; many outfits offer them just for
recreational boaters. Keeping a previously well maintained diesel
running is not that hard once you “know”. Heck my mechanic fired
himself, told me I knew enough, and to keep doing what I was doing
and I would be fine. You can also learn a lot from other people
with boats, trust me, you will always be able to find someone on the
dock who can help.

Good luck with your search…

Brad Kuether
“Scholar”
C&C 29 Mark II
Middle River, MD


— In freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com, “chrisburns_sanjose”
<chrisburns_sanjose@…> wrote:

Hi all,

I’ve been learning to sail in a Laser for a few years out here in
the SF Bay area. I want to get
a bigger boat, and the Freedom 25 looks pretty interesting. I’d
guess I can at least
basically sail one, assuming I can figure out how to stay in the
deep water. I’d use the boat
for day sailing and occasional overnighters, inside the bay.

I’m pretty sure I’d prefer a “round mast” model. Sounds a bit
simpler, and probably one
year newer, possibly with some advances in the hull construction
(from 83 to 84).

I think I’d have somewhat of a preference for a boat with an
outboard motor rather than
the inboard diesel, because I’d see this as somewhat reducing the
number of things that
can go wrong, plus you get a self-contained unit that can be taken
in to the experts if
need be.

I’d appreciate hearing if these thoughts are reasonable, plus any
advice about:

Whether the Laser → Freedom 25 transition should be OK, as I’m
expecting, for a not-
tremendously-experienced sailor.

Whether this type of boat is acceptably suited to the SF Bay.

MOST OF ALL, does anybody know of a nice boat around here that
might be for sale? They
only seem to show up on the East coast.

Many thanks,
Chris Burns