Designed by the renowned duo of Ron Holland and Garry Hoyt, this distinctive 39-footer represents one of the most successful implementations of the unstayed cat ketch rig concept. Built by Tillotson Pearson from 1983 onward, the Freedom 39 carved out a devoted following among cruising sailors who appreciated its unique approach to sail handling and performance. The boat's most notable characteristic is its unstayed cat ketch rig with fully-battened sails, eliminating the need for shrouds and stays while providing excellent sail shape control. This configuration offers significant advantages for shorthanded sailing, as the smaller individual sails are easier to manage than a conventional main and jib combination. The carbon fiber masts are freestanding, reducing maintenance while providing clean airflow across the sails. With a displacement of 18,500 pounds and moderate ballast ratio, the Freedom 39 strikes a comfortable balance between performance and stability. The fin keel with rudder on skeg configuration provides good directional stability while maintaining reasonable maneuverability. Her comfortable 28.61 comfort ratio and conservative 1.94 capsize screening value make her well-suited for coastal cruising and protected offshore passages, particularly appealing to couples or small crews who value ease of handling over maximum performance.
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What is the Freedom 39's sail area to displacement ratio?
The Freedom 39 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 18.78. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.
What is the Freedom 39's comfort ratio?
The Freedom 39 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 28.61. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.
Is the Freedom 39 safe for offshore sailing?
The Freedom 39 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 1.94. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.
What is the hull speed of the Freedom 39?
The theoretical hull speed of the Freedom 39 is 7.46 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.
How much does a Freedom 39 weigh?
The Freedom 39 has a displacement of 18,500.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 39.00 ft.
Who designed the Freedom 39?
The Freedom 39 was designed by Ron Holland/Garry Hoyt, first built in 1983.