Freedom 45 Center Cockpit

[Bowedtoothdoc]

Posted this same question in the wrong forum yesterday
Does anyone have experience with these unique boats?
Obviously they were designed to be easy to sail, especially by one person, but what about their performance and pointing ability? What about light to moderate wind?
Thanks

[CrazyRu]

I didn't sail freedom 45, however I spent quite a lot of time on Freedom 36 (modern single mast boat) Latest generation of Freedoms from late 80-s to 2000 will sail well at any point. Also they better thought out boats than cheaper mass production boats of same era.

[jlodolce]

I do not have experience with a Freedom 45 CC, but I have 5 years of experience with my 1995 Freedom 40/40, which is similar. She is a very solid boat. Fast. Easy to sail. The main is big and takes some getting used to. We have learned to reef whenever we think about it, not because it can't handle the wind, but it is more comfortable reefed in wind over 20 kts. She is very high quality design. I have no regrets for purchasing her. You may want to contact Geoffrey Schultz of the Blue Jacket who has over 40,000 miles on his Freedom 40/40. Geoff Schultz's BlueJacket Sailing Site

[treilley]

Back in January 2010, I looked at 3 of them. One in RI and 2 in FL. Never sailed on one though.

[TQA]

Check out the effort required to raise the sails. I looked at one [ I think it was a 45 but could have been a 44 ] Anyway the owner had fitted a power winch because of the effort required to raise sail.

Also be aware that there have been several mast failures.

[Bowedtoothdoc]

Thanks,
I ended up passing on the boat for a number of reasons, the biggest was the lack of a generator and AC.