Designed by the innovative team of Garry Hoyt and Jay Paris, this distinctive cat ketch represents a bold departure from conventional sailboat design philosophy. Built by Tillotson Pearson beginning in 1979, the Freedom 28 embodies the revolutionary unstayed rig concept that defined the Freedom yacht line during sailing's modern era. The boat's most striking feature is its cat ketch configuration with fully battened, loose-footed sails supported by robust carbon fiber masts that require no standing rigging whatsoever. This eliminates the complexity and maintenance associated with traditional shrouds and stays while providing exceptional ease of handling. The 434 square feet of sail area, distributed across two manageable sails, makes this yacht particularly appealing to short-handed crews or those seeking simplified sailing. At 28.33 feet overall with a moderate 5.33-foot draft, the Freedom 28 strikes an excellent balance for coastal cruising and protected water sailing. The fiberglass construction combined with 3,800 pounds of ballast in a 7,000-pound displacement creates a stable, confidence-inspiring platform. The keel/centerboard configuration offers versatility for both deeper waters and shoal exploration. With a comfort ratio of 20.83, this yacht prioritizes ease of motion over ultimate speed, making it ideal for relaxed coastal cruising and weekend adventures where sailing enjoyment trumps racing performance.
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What is the Freedom 28 Cat Ketch's sail area to displacement ratio?
The Freedom 28 Cat Ketch has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 19.04. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.
What is the Freedom 28 Cat Ketch's comfort ratio?
The Freedom 28 Cat Ketch has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 20.83. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.
Is the Freedom 28 Cat Ketch safe for offshore sailing?
The Freedom 28 Cat Ketch has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 1.95. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.
What is the hull speed of the Freedom 28 Cat Ketch?
The theoretical hull speed of the Freedom 28 Cat Ketch is 6.80 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.
How much does a Freedom 28 Cat Ketch weigh?
The Freedom 28 Cat Ketch has a displacement of 7,000.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 28.33 ft.
How much does a used Freedom 28 Cat Ketch cost?
Based on 1 recent market listings, used Freedom 28 Cat Ketch sailboats typically sell for between $8,500 and $8,500, with a median asking price of $8,500. Price varies significantly based on year, condition, location, and included equipment.
Who designed the Freedom 28 Cat Ketch?
The Freedom 28 Cat Ketch was designed by Garry Hoyt/Jay Paris, first built in 1979.