WHICH TO BUY, F32, 35 PEDRICK OR 36/38?

Boat handling, ideas, questions...
Skiff
Posts: 11
Joined: Sat Jun 23, 2018 5:21 pm

WHICH TO BUY, F32, 35 PEDRICK OR 36/38?

Post by Skiff »

Hi, First post here. We're looking for a boat and keep coming back to the Freedom line.

If we go with our philosophy of getting the smallest boat that meets our needs, that'd be the Freedom 32. They pack a lot into the length and have a nice layout. I hear they sail well in light winds.

If we go for more room for longer cruises and just hanging out on the boat, that'd be the F35 or 36/38. The 35's are newer, more modern, a few thousand pounds lighter (I've read) and have a separate shower which my wife likes. I also like Gary Mull designs so the 36 or 38 are appealing. I would think the 36/38 would be more comfortable when rough and able to handle more wind without reefing.

For the Puget Sound area, will the performance of a wing keel on a 35 be noticeable? I'm assuming upwind ability is somewhat compromised for the shallower draft and we seem to do a lot of beating.

The few Freedoms I've seen have had cracks in the mast. When do they become an issue vs just hairline cracks in the gelcoat and how do you tell?

Has deck or hull coring damage/rot been an issue?

Finally, pros and cons on the Camberspar jib vs roller furling? Simplicity and lower cost of the Camberspar vs convenience, quick reefing and free foredeck space of the roller furling. We like the idea of easy handling and tacking due to my wife's health issues at times.

I hope to talk to owners of various models at the NW Washington Freedom rendezvous next month.

Thanks in advance.

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Camino
Posts: 358
Joined: Fri Oct 28, 2016 4:51 pm
Location: Stockton, CA

Re: WHICH TO BUY, F32, 35 PEDRICK OR 36/38?

Post by Camino »

Hello Skiff— I have a F 35 Pedrick (1999). I’ve had her about 2 yrs, including a lengthy refit on the hard. I sail SF Bay and environs. With her new sails she can point 37 degrees with power. I like the roller furling jib as I can furl that small jib in a bit in bigger air and be dragged around on reaches and runs. Wing keel seems to keep her on her feet more and is great is shallow coves , etc. Great boat and very nice to sail and hang out on. Reefing is personal for set ups and there are lots of ways to rig that. Just got home 2 nights ago from delivering a boat up your way.

Skiff
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Joined: Sat Jun 23, 2018 5:21 pm

Re: WHICH TO BUY, F32, 35 PEDRICK OR 36/38?

Post by Skiff »

Thanks for the reply, Camino. Nice to hear that the wing keel may work well for me.

Did your boat have any core damage?

Did you have to do any mast repairs?

Any idea if masts area available if it comes to that?

Thanks.

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Camino
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Joined: Fri Oct 28, 2016 4:51 pm
Location: Stockton, CA

Re: WHICH TO BUY, F32, 35 PEDRICK OR 36/38?

Post by Camino »

Skiff - I had no core damage at all, mast was terrific. It’s gel coat was oxidizing (slap your hand in the gel oat and if your hand comes up white or gel oat color, oxidation) so a coat of good wax solved that.

Skiff
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Joined: Sat Jun 23, 2018 5:21 pm

Re: WHICH TO BUY, F32, 35 PEDRICK OR 36/38?

Post by Skiff »

Good to know. Thanks.

Skiff
Posts: 11
Joined: Sat Jun 23, 2018 5:21 pm

Re: WHICH TO BUY, F32, 35 PEDRICK OR 36/38?

Post by Skiff »

What kind of boat did you deliver and how long did it take to bring it up? Do you mostly motor? Do you do that regularly? Do you mostly follow the 100 fathom line and duck in to infrequent ports if the weather turns bad? Was it fairly calm?

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Camino
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Joined: Fri Oct 28, 2016 4:51 pm
Location: Stockton, CA

Re: WHICH TO BUY, F32, 35 PEDRICK OR 36/38?

Post by Camino »

Skiff— there is a thread on this forum briefly describing this delivery. Gulf Star 47 motor sailer with all equipment new 8 yrs ago and all messed up now. Nothing good about slogging 6-8 kts up hill the whole way. Mainsail was out to stabilize (no more than 1/2 due to owners reluctance). Wind on nose or forward quarter. Wind was from calm to 37 kts. Seas flat to 24’. Distance offshore coastal 2-25 miles. Poked into bodega, Brookings, Coos Bay, Tillamook, and Greys Harbor (West Port). Usual in other words. Kept off at pt Arena, cape Mendocino, and Columbia river. Going up is not my cup of tea. Moving at 12 kts is different. I’m credentialed but do this reluctantly and word of mouth only, in other words mostly not interested :D

Skiff
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Joined: Sat Jun 23, 2018 5:21 pm

Re: WHICH TO BUY, F32, 35 PEDRICK OR 36/38?

Post by Skiff »

I'll check out the thread. Another boat I like is a Gulfstar 39 Sailmaster but maybe I shouldn't mention that on a Freedom forum... For an older boat, 1981/1982, they're pretty classy and from what I hear, well built and good sailing boats. Do you know anything about them?

Goose13
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Joined: Tue Aug 19, 2014 7:18 pm

Re: WHICH TO BUY, F32, 35 PEDRICK OR 36/38?

Post by Goose13 »

You should look at the F33 CK with a center board, it will draft 3.5' with the board up and on a tack all u have to do is turn the wheel. My first boat was a F21 and I feel in love with the simplicity of Freedom but the F33 is even easier than the 21.
Doug and Marie
Millennnium Falcon F33 CK cb #4
1980 wish bone booms Electric Drive

Tmack
Posts: 32
Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2019 5:07 pm

Re: WHICH TO BUY, F32, 35 PEDRICK OR 36/38?

Post by Tmack »

So please let us know - did you get a Freedom and which one?

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