Freedom 24

Summary

The Freedom 24 is an American trailerable sailboat that was designed by William H. Tripp, III as a racer-cruiser and first built in 1994.[1][2][3]

Freedom 24
Development
DesignerWilliam H. Tripp, III
LocationUnited States
Year1994
Builder(s)Tillotson Pearson for Freedom Yachts
RoleRacer-Cruiser
NameFreedom 24
Boat
Displacement3,250 lb (1,474 kg)
Draft6.00 ft (1.83 m)
Hull
Typemonohull
Constructionfiberglass
LOA24.42 ft (7.44 m)
LWL21.50 ft (6.55 m)
Beam8.25 ft (2.51 m)
Engine typeoutboard motor
Hull appendages
Keel/board typelifting keel
Ballast1,350 lb (612 kg)
Rudder(s)transom-mounted rudder
Rig
Rig typeBermuda rig
Sails
Sailplanfractional rigged sloop
Total sail area303 sq ft (28.1 m2)
Racing
PHRF207

Production edit

The design was built by Tillotson Pearson for Freedom Yachts in the United States from 1994 to 1995, but it is now out of production. McArthur notes, "the number built is unknown but not a big seller."[1][3][4]

Design edit

The Freedom 24 is a recreational keelboat, built predominantly of fiberglass. It has a fractional sloop rig with a freestanding mast. The hull has a slightly raked stem; a reverse transom; a transom-hung, folding rudder controlled by a tiller and a lifting keel with a weighted bulb. It displaces 3,250 lb (1,474 kg) and carries 1,350 lb (612 kg) of ballast.[1][3]

The boat has a draft of 6.00 ft (1.83 m) with the lifting keel extended and 1.83 ft (0.56 m) with it retracted, allowing operation in shallow water or ground transportation on a trailer.[1][3]

The boat is normally fitted with a small 4 to 6 hp (3 to 4 kW) outboard motor for docking and maneuvering.[1][3]

The design has sleeping accommodation for four people, with a double "V"-berth in the bow cabin and two straight settee berths in the main cabin. The galley is located on the starboard side just aft of the bow cabin. The galley is equipped with a two-burner stove and a sink. The head is located opposite the galley, on the port side. Cabin headroom is 55 in (140 cm).[1][3]

For sailing the design is equipped with a roller reefing, self-tacking jib and an asymmetrical spinnaker flown from an articulating bowsprit. The design has foam flotation and is unsinkable.[1][3]

The design has a PHRF racing average handicap of 207 and a hull speed of 6.2 kn (11.5 km/h).[3]

Operational history edit

In a 2010 review Steve Henkel wrote, "Freedom Yachts, a marketer of high quality sailboats, wanted to try selling a fast boat of high quality construction that was easy to trailer, launch, and sail, and with a good measure of comfort below ... Best features: ... the retractable rudder and lifting bulb keel (draft 6' down, 1' 10" up, with an intermediate position of 4' 5" for sailing in shallow water) eases launching from a ramp, given the right trailer and ramp. The finish inside and out is very good quality. Worst features: For the short period this boat was sold, her price was at the top end ... but construction quality is also at or near the top end. Yet for some reason this boat did not sell well. Perhaps it was the small forward V-berth, big enough for kids but not adults, or her speed, indicated by her average PHRF of 207—quite a bit higher than most of her comp[etitor]s."[3]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g McArthur, Bruce (2020). "Freedom 24 (Tripp) sailboat". sailboatdata.com. Archived from the original on 11 April 2021. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  2. ^ McArthur, Bruce (2021). "William H. Tripp, III". sailboatdata.com. Archived from the original on 11 April 2021. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Henkel, Steve: The Sailor's Book of Small Cruising Sailboats, page 290. International Marine/McGraw-Hill, 2010. ISBN 978-0-07-163652-0
  4. ^ McArthur, Bruce (2021). "Freedom Yachts". sailboatdata.com. Archived from the original on 11 April 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2021.