FREEDOM 28 CAT KETCH

About the FREEDOM 28 CAT KETCH

Sail area: -Main: 244 ft² / 22.67 m² -Mizzen: 190 ft² / 17.65 m² When introduced the FREEDOM 28 CAT KETCH featured free-standing carbon spars, wrap-around sails with wishbone type booms, (as shown here: The sleeved sails and wishbones were later abandoned for a more conventional sail attachment arrangement and standard booms. (A similar scenario took place with the FREEDOM 33.) A similar model was built under license and sold in the UK (from a number of different yards) as the FREEDOM 30. Thanks to 'vellofello' for providing additional information about the English version.

The Freedom 28 Cat Ketch is a distinctive 1979 design by Garry Hoyt and Jay Paris, built by Tillotson Pearson Inc in the USA with an unknown total production count. This unstayed cat ketch rig offers a unique sailing experience, characterized by a displacement of 7000.0 lb and a beam of 9.33 ft.

Best for:

This boat suits experienced sailors seeking a stable, comfortable coastal cruiser with a unique rig, particularly those who value the ease of handling an unstayed cat ketch and are prepared for specialized maintenance.

Bluewater capability:

With a capsize ratio of 1.95 and a comfort ratio of 20.83, the Freedom 28 is generally considered suitable for coastal and nearshore cruising rather than extended bluewater passages due to its moderate displacement and specific structural vulnerabilities.

Comparables:

Comparable boats include other late-1970s American cat ketches like the Pearson 28 or similar displacement vessels from the era, sharing similar comfort ratios and coastal cruising roles.