View source for Freedom 21

{{Short description|Sailboat class}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2021}}
{{Infobox sailboat specifications
|name              = Freedom 21
|insignia          = File:Freedom Yachts Star Logo.jpg
|insignia size     = 100px
|insignia alt      =
|insignia caption  =
|line drawing      =
|line size         =
|line alt          =
|line caption      =
|image boat        =
|image size        =
|image alt         =
|image caption     =
|designer          = [[Gary Hoyt]]
|architect         =
|location          = [[United States]]
|year              = 1982
|no built          =
|design            =
|class             =
|brand             =
|builder           = [[Tillotson Pearson]] for [[Freedom Yachts]]
|role              =
|boats             =
|crew              =
|trapeze           =
|draft             = {{convert|3.75|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|air draft         =
|displacement      = {{convert|2000|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}
|hulls             =
|hull type         = [[monohull]]
|construction      = [[fiberglass]]
|loa               = {{convert|21.67|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|loh               =
|lwl               = {{convert|17.50|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|beam              = {{convert|8.00|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|hull draft        =
|hull weight       =
|engine            = [[outboard motor]]
|appendages        =
|keel type         = fin keel
|ballast           = {{convert|500|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}
|rudder type       = transom-mounted [[rudder]]
|rigs              =
|rig type          = [[Catboat]]
|I                 =
|J                 =
|P                 = {{convert|24.42|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|E                 = {{convert|10.75|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|mast length       =
|rig other         =
|sails             =
|sailplan          = [[Catboat]]
|sailarea main     = {{convert|131.26|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}
|sailarea headsail =
|sailarea spin     =
|sailarea gen      =
|sails other       =
|sailarea upwind   =
|sailarea downwind =
|sailarea total    = {{convert|131.26|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}
|rating            =
|d-pn              =
|rya-pn            =
|phrf              = 260
|status            =
|previous          =
|successor         =
}}
The '''Freedom 21''' is an American [[Trailer sailer|trailerable]] [[sailboat]] that was designed by [[Gary Hoyt]] and first built in 1982. It was available as a [[catboat]] or [[sloop]] rig.<ref name="Data">{{cite web|url= https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/freedom-21|title= Freedom 21 sailboat|access-date= 11 April 2021|last= McArthur|first= Bruce|work= sailboatdata.com|year= 2020|archive-url= https://archive.today/20210411175819/https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/freedom-21|archive-date= 11 April 2021|url-status= live}}</ref><ref name="DataSLP">{{cite web|url= https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/freedom-21-slp|title= Freedom 21 SLP sailboat |access-date= 11 April 2021|last= McArthur| first= Bruce |work= sailboatdata.com|year= 2020|archive-url= https://archive.today/20210411175835/https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/freedom-21-slp|archive-date= 11 April 2021|url-status= live}}</ref><ref name="DataSD">{{cite web|url= https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/freedom-21-slp-sd|title= Freedom 21 SLP SD sailboat |access-date= 11 April 2021|last= McArthur| first= Bruce |work= sailboatdata.com|year= 2020|archive-url= https://archive.today/20210411175851/https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/freedom-21-slp-sd|archive-date= 11 April 2021|url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://sailboatdata.com/designer/hoyt-gary|title= Gary Hoyt|access-date = 11 April 2021|last= McArthur| first = Bruce |work = sailboatdata.com|year = 2021|archive-url= https://archive.today/20201211233720/https://sailboatdata.com/designer/hoyt-gary|archive-date= 11 December 2020|url-status= live}}</ref><ref name="Henkel">Henkel, Steve: ''The Sailor's Book of Small Cruising Sailboats'', page 171. [[International Marine]]/[[McGraw-Hill]], 2010. {{ISBN|978-0-07-163652-0}}</ref>
==Production==
The design was built by [[Tillotson Pearson]] for [[Freedom Yachts]] in the [[United States]] from 1982 to 1987, but it is now out of production.<ref name="Data"/><ref name="Henkel"/><ref>{{cite web|url = https://sailboatdata.com/builder/freedom-yachts|title = Freedom Yachts|access-date = 11 April 2021|last= McArthur| first = Bruce |work = sailboatdata.com|year = 2021|archive-url= https://archive.today/20210411175829/https://sailboatdata.com/builder/freedom-yachts|archive-date= 11 April 2021|url-status= live}}</ref>
A retractable twin [[wing keel]], iron ballast version was also built in the [[United Kingdom]] and at least 40 were sold.<ref name="Data"/><ref name="DataSLP"/><ref name="DataSD"/>
==Design==
The Freedom 21 is a recreational [[keelboat]], built predominantly of [[fiberglass]], with wood trim. It has a [[catboat]] rig with a freestanding [[carbon fiber]] mast and a fully-battened [[mainsail]]. A sloop rig was optional. The hull has a [[raked stem]], a vertical [[Transom (nautical)|transom]], a transom-hung [[rudder]] controlled by a [[tiller]] and a fixed fin [[keel]] or shoal draft keel.<ref name="Data"/><ref name="Henkel"/>
The boat is normally fitted with a small {{convert|3|to|6|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} [[outboard motor]] for docking and maneuvering.<ref name="Data"/><ref name="Henkel"/>
The design has sleeping accommodation for four people, with a double [["V"-berth]] in the bow cabin and two straight settee berths in the main cabin. The [[Galley (kitchen)|galley]] is located on the starboard side just aft of the bow cabin. The galley is equipped with a sink. Cabin headroom is {{convert|54|in|cm|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Data"/><ref name="Henkel"/>
For sailing the design is equipped with gun-mount [[spinnaker]] with a launching tube.<ref name="Henkel"/>
The design has a [[Performance Handicap Racing Fleet|PHRF]] racing average handicap of 260 and a [[hull speed]] of {{convert|5.6|kn|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Henkel"/>
==Variants==
;Freedom 21
:This catboat model displaces {{convert|2000|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} and carries {{convert|500|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} of ballast. The boat has a draft of {{convert|3.75|ft|m|abbr=on}} with the standard keel.<ref name="Data"/><ref name="Henkel"/>
;Freedom 21 SLP
:This sloop-rigged model displaces {{convert|1800|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} and carries {{convert|500|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} of ballast. The boat has a draft of {{convert|3.80|ft|m|abbr=on}} with the standard keel.<ref name="DataSLP"/><ref name="Henkel"/>
;Freedom 21 SLP SD
:This shoal draft model displaces {{convert|2050|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} and has a draft of {{convert|2.00|ft|m|abbr=on}}.<ref name="DataSD"/><ref name="Henkel"/>
==Operational history==
In a 2010 review Steve Henkel wrote, "here's a catboat with a modern flavor ... The deep fin is a better performer, but hard to get off a trailer without a crane. Best features: Deep cockpit coamings and a cockpit well proportioned for good foot-bracing help make the Freedom 21 a pleasure to sail. So does the easy-to-control gunmount spinnaker arrangement, which allows you to douse the chute by just popping the halyard and lowering the chute into its launching tube by hauling on a retrieving line. Worst features: Going forward isn't always easy, since the port side is taken over by the chute launching tube. She's not fast upwind, especially as a catboat. (A staysail can be rigged.) And her unusual appearance, with dark, wraparound 'windshield,' may not appeal to everyone."<ref name="Henkel"/>
==See also==
*[[List of sailing boat types]]
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
*[https://archive.today/20210411233043/https://www.sailingtexas.com/Picsc/picfreedom21ga.jpg Photo of a Freedom 21]
{{Pearson Yachts}}
{{Trailer sailers and Trailer yachts worldwide}}
[[Category:Keelboats]]
[[Category:1980s sailboat type designs]]
[[Category:Sailing yachts]]
[[Category:Trailer sailers]]
[[Category:Sailboat type designs by Gary Hoyt]]
[[Category:Sailboat types built by Pearson Yachts]]