Yachting

84 http://www.yachtingmonthly.com MAY 2016

USED BOAT TEST

Key cruising

features

Thankfully

the coachroof

handrails are

long, as there

are no shrouds

to grab when

going on deck

Her cockpit is U-shaped, with an offset

companionway making access a little awkward

All lines are led aft to 14

rope clutches and two

winches by the helm

She sports aluminium wishbone

booms like a windsurfer, which

allow the sail to set much lower

The sails are 2-ply and

wrap around the masts,

providing a superbly

aerodynamic leading edge

The saloon is

dominated by the

centreboard case

Deck layout

The decks are wide and uncluttered, but

the lack of shrouds means you’re reliant

on the full-length coachroof handholds for

grab handles. The foredeck has the main

mast protruding through it, making access

to the anchor and windlass awkward.

The cockpit layout on the Freedom 35 is

unusual and takes a little getting used to.

The companionway is offset to starboard,

making a U-shaped seating/working area,

which isn’t the easiest to negotiate when

there are more than two in the cockpit.

Living below

It must be remembered that her length

on deck is actually 33ft, not as her name

suggests 35ft, so her internal volume

should be judged on the former. Owing

to the position of the mizzen, the narrow

companionway is offset well to starboard

and has a small aperture due to the high

bridgedeck. Furthermore, the steep,

twisting steps are tricky to negotiate,

particularly if you’re carrying stuff.

Once below, the fi rst thing you see is

the long, 4ft tall centreplate box dividing

the cabin. Although this makes it a

little cramped, it does at least provide

an excellent bum rest when cooking or

navigating and the fi ddled top is perfect for

odds and ends.

The saloon seating is in a wide U-shape

and the table hinges up from the side of the

box. Four seated on one side of the table is

really the limit when eating; for cosy drinks

possibly six. The seating can be turned into

a double berth if required and there are

lockers and a bookshelf above.

Although not a wide boat, maximum

beam is carried a long way forward and

aft. Headroom is just 1.80m (5ft 11in) on

the centreline, dropping quickly outboard

due to a sloping coachroof. The heads is to

port and is roomy with ample stowage but

limited headroom.

The forecabin is relatively spacious with

a 2m (6ft 7in)-long V-berth (with infi ll),

two hanging lockers and generous stowage

under the berth and on deep-fi ddled

shelves. The aft cabin is cosy. The two

quarterberths are separated by the engine

box; making them a little smelly and noisy.

There are numerous hatches and all

the portlights open for ventilation. The

interior joinery throughout is solid and

nicely fi nished. The white vinyl headlining

brightens up what could have been a

gloomy interior.

Chart table

The navigation area, forward of the

galley, has a wide, outboard-facing chart

table with a swing-out seat. There’s room

for instruments above it, and charts

inside. Being forward isn’t ideal, should

you want to glance at a chart, so unlike

Derrick I’d be tempted to mount my

chartplotter in the cockpit.

Galley

The galley runs along the starboard side

and has a reasonable amount of workspace

and stowage, along with a deep coolbox.

However, access forward whilst the cook is

at work means squeezing past each time.

Maintenance

The bilges all around the centreplate are

fi lled with fi xed, internal iron ballast,

which means access is limited. The engine

is easily got at, though, by lifting either the

small cover for a quick check, or the whole

box for servicing.

Of course, up on deck there’s no standing

rig to maintain, just a lot of running rigging

and blocks to keep in good order.