Pre-1989 Freedom 36 or 38?

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jlo
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri Dec 18, 2020 8:56 am

Pre-1989 Freedom 36 or 38?

Post by jlo »

The Freedom 38 was first introduced in 1989 according to all sources I can find. F38s I believe were simply F36s with a transom swim platform. However, Freedom built F36 models with transom swim platforms for several years prior to 1989 but carried the Hull Identification Number of TSP36XXXX.

Do the pre-1989 F36s with swim platforms truly have 38' in LOA and are there any meaningful differences between 1989 F38 and pre-1989 F36 with swim platforms?

For what it's worth, everyone who lists a pre-1989 F36 on YachtWorld, titles them as Freedom 38.
John
S/V Liberty
1988 Freedom 36/38
Virginia

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RadioZephyr
Posts: 259
Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2016 10:04 am
Location: Boston, MA

Re: Pre-1989 Freedom 36 or 38?

Post by RadioZephyr »

Freedom modified the mold to add the swim platform in 1988. Prior to that, the swim platform was an option from the factory, and it was bolted on and the seam was glassed over. The dimensions are identical. The only difference between the post-1988 F38 and the F36/38 was that the latter required inspection ports on the platform so that the bolts could be tightened during installation. Also, with the swim platform as part of the hull, it gives you an extra 2’ of contiguous storage space in the cockpit locker. I store a set of fender boards in there.

Source: I have owned one of each.
Josh
Sunset Spy
F38, Hull #152
Boston, MA

jlo
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri Dec 18, 2020 8:56 am

Re: Pre-1989 Freedom 36 or 38?

Post by jlo »

That's a very helpful response and unlocks the mystery for me in trying to figure out the production difference between the F36 (36' LOA), F36 with swim platform (38' LOA), and the F38 (38' LOA). I will have to look in the cockpit locker to see if my boat has bolts or not. Thank you
John
S/V Liberty
1988 Freedom 36/38
Virginia

User avatar
RadioZephyr
Posts: 259
Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2016 10:04 am
Location: Boston, MA

Re: Pre-1989 Freedom 36 or 38?

Post by RadioZephyr »

I've grappled with the same mystery, glad I could help. I found a couple pictures of how the two configurations look from the inside, in case anyone is wondering. They show roughly the same area. The black hose in the background in both pictures is the starboard cockpit drain.
1992 F38
1992 F38
Sugar scoop, inside.jpeg (213.67 KiB) Viewed 1711 times
1986 F36/38
1986 F36/38
Sugar scoop 36 38.jpeg (188.7 KiB) Viewed 1711 times
Josh
Sunset Spy
F38, Hull #152
Boston, MA

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