Considering a 1984 Freedom 31

wcstorm · #1 (**permalink**) 03-07-2002

Considering the purchase of a 1984 Freedom 31 in the mid 40k range. Of coarse will have it surveyed, just looking for some imput. I''ve sailed the Freedom 35 for a couple of weeks and like the handling, lay-out, etc.

wcstorm · #2 (**permalink**) 03-07-2002

That is actually a 1984 Freedom 32---sorry, for some reason I could not edit my original mess.

SailorMitch · #3 (**permalink**) 03-08-2002

Check the carbon fiber mast carefully for any signs of surface cracks. If they are there and the surveyor or owner says they are "cosmetic" only -- they may be right, or they may be wrong. One course of action is to ask the owner to have the mast x-rayed to see if the cracks are only on the surface, or extend into the composite material itself. Sounds extreme but there apparently are ways to do it that aren''t all that costly.

Carbon fiber masts do fail, just as aluminum ones do. The primary difference is that carbon fiber masts are much more expensive to replace. If cracks exist, I wouldn''t make it a deal breaker, but just be sure what the situation is.