Freedom 24 (Tripp) Information, Review, Specs

The Freedom 24 (Tripp) was produced for a brief period between 1994 and 1995. It emerged from Freedom Yachts, a company founded by Gary Hoyt, which was renowned for its revolutionary approach to sailboat rigging, primarily the unstayed mast. This design ethos aimed to simplify sailing and enhance efficiency by eliminating traditional standing rigging. All Freedom Yachts, including the Freedom 24, were meticulously built by Tillotson Pearson Inc. (TPI) in Rhode Island, a manufacturer celebrated for its high-quality fiberglass construction, shared with other esteemed brands.

William Tripp III, the designer, is known for his naval architecture that prioritizes sailing simplicity, strong light-air performance, and ocean-going capabilities. The Freedom 24 embodies these principles, featuring a free-standing fractional sloop rig that contributes to a clean deck layout and reduced maintenance 1, 2, Builder Article. A significant design feature is its lifting keel, which allows the boat's draft to be adjusted from a maximum of 6.0 feet for enhanced sailing performance to a minimum of 1.83 feet, facilitating shallow water access and easy trailering. While there are mentions of a "Freedom 24 Mk II", the core design with its lifting keel and unstayed rig remained consistent, reflecting Freedom Yachts' commitment to innovation within a compact format.

Sailing Performance and Handling

With a length overall of 24.42 feet and a waterline length of 21.5 feet, the Freedom 24 (Tripp) is designed to offer a lively sailing experience. The boat's displacement of 3250 pounds and 1350 pounds of lead ballast contribute to a solid feel for its size. The unstayed fractional sloop rig is a hallmark of Freedom Yachts, providing exceptional ease of handling, especially for single-handed or shorthanded sailing 1, 2, Builder Article. This rig allows for efficient sail shapes and a less cluttered deck, aligning with the brand's philosophy of "freedom" from complex rigging.

The lifting keel is a key aspect of the Freedom 24's versatility, enabling access to shallow anchorages and making the boat trailerable. While specific anecdotal handling descriptions are not widely documented in available search results, the design principles of William Tripp III, combined with Freedom's unstayed rig, suggest a boat that is balanced and responsive, likely offering good performance in a variety of conditions, with a theoretical hull speed of 6.21 knots.

Accommodations and Layout

Given its compact size, the interior of the Freedom 24 (Tripp) is designed for efficiency and practicality, typical of a racer-cruiser in its class. Specific detailed descriptions of the interior layout are not readily available in public search results. However, a boat of its length overall (24.42 feet) and with a lifting keel often features an open-plan cabin, possibly including a V-berth forward, a small galley area, and seating that converts to berths in the main salon. Standing headroom, which is not specified in the available data, would likely be limited, common for vessels of this size. The emphasis would be on maximizing usable space and providing essential amenities for weekend cruising or daysailing, aligning with the practical and uncluttered approach seen in Freedom Yachts' overall design.