FreedomYachts.org

Was there a filter in the vent pipe? Often an activated carbon filter is used to control odours vented through the pipe, and it will tend to disintegrate if wetted. You might then be left with a slurry of carbon and poo collected in the filter holder, which will continue to smell until it is washed ...

Although more nearly a Nonesuch than a Freedom, this is a beautiful looking boat with a few details that could be incorporated into some freedom rigs: look at http://www.bigwindsurfer.com/index.html

Gerald

On Castaway, the PO set up a single running backstay with a 4 part tackle which I lightly tension by hand, and set with a camcleat. I've only knocked it off by accident once (as Phil says, it's easily done), but I didn't notice for a while since, like Michel, I don't pull it up tight: the mast is, a...

Nothing like that in the UK built F35's, either. Any wood in there is bound to rot, unless heavily painted/epoxied, since it will always be damp, often wet, and rarely seen. I think Numbknots has it right.

regards,

Phil,

I found it worthwhile to make a wooden former for the mizzen (smaller diameter) to take up much of the volume which would otherwise be full of epoxy. Perhaps you do not have room for this with a CF mast. It certainly makes removal easier.

Regards,

We have a TP manufactured CF main mast, and the mast head crane is bolted in place. It sits in a slot cut fore and aft in the masthead, but the halyards are, of course, external, hung from 'U' bolts carrying blocks for halyards and an eye for the topping lift (fixed). There is no swivel on this one....

I use epoxy filler on the mizzen, as did the PO. It takes half a day to remove it if you need to get the mast out. (More on the first occasion, as I didn't know how brutal I could be). I would suggest release agent on the collar or the mast or both, before adding the epoxy. If you have one or more b...

Ian, If you have sleeved sails, make the sleeve about 2m from mast to zip. You could get away with lighter fabric for this portion, too. The reef lines run from the foot of the mast to a double block on the saddle, then through a hole in the sleeve to another double block at the end of the boom, bef...

I have permanently rigged preventers on both sails, port and starboard. Those for the main run through small blocks tied to the tip of the bowsprit with 3mm polyester. The angle is less than satisfactory, but all there is, so loads can be quite high. However, I once tried, and succeeded, in gybing t...

Lead acid batteries always self-discharge even if completely disconnected, due to internal leakage currents. Usually, the lower the temperature, the lower the discharge rate, being minimal at around 0 degrees Centigrade. Leaving them on trickle charge is the best way of avoiding this, but it does ne...