Hi Kathlyn,

Yes, the USA Hunter Vision 32 looks to be a suitable case for treatment. As there is a small headsail, the CE must be in a very similar place to that of a high aspect ratio junk rig. The mast will be rather longer than necessary, but there's a cure for that! The forestay and fore halyard fittings will have to be taken off, as will the gooseneck, and possibly thin cover plates added over the holes. 

You'll be wanting a sail of something over 500 sq ft, which is quite big and heavy. I would go for high AR anyway, to reduce the length and weight of the yard and battens. The mast, being intended for bermudan rig, will be plenty strong and stiff.

Hey Kathlyn -  Welcome to the group.  There is a large amount of great information on the site and a vast wealth of knowledge and experience.  Regarding Freedoms, you may also want to check out the user group on FreedomYachts.org.  In general the intent was to design a boat that was more easily short handed  compared to others.  Early models in the size you may consider were two masted ketches or schooners and did not fly a foresail.  Later designs had a patented self tacking jib, possibly a bow to conventional Bermuda rigged boats.  It is possible that the designs that did not have foresails lend themselves better to converting to  junk rig as the mast location may be already in the right place.  

If you do purchase a Freedom, or any other boat for that matter, sail it for a bit. That will help you make informed decisions when doing the conversion. We have a Freedom 40 center cockpit, a pirate ship looking design.  It currently has the original wooden wishbone rig with sails that are 20 years old.  It is in part handling and cost that has us considering a junk rig conversion as replacement sails.  You are welcome to talk to us more about Freedoms, we are so far only armchair junk rig admirers.

Erik&Evi

Kathlyn, I see you are from USA, so there should be plenty of Freedoms about.  If you click on MEMBERS' AREA on the left of the screen, it will open up a menu showing Directories.  Click on that and you will find Members' boats.  Click on that and you will find a box where you can fill in Freedom and  - hey presto - this should show you members who own one of these boats.

As Arne says, quite a number of Freedoms have been converted, very successfully to junk rig.  A Nonsuch would be another possibility - very well built boats and the 35 is a BIG boat.

Hello all!

Brand new here and I'm sure my lack of education and knowledge is going to show up all over this post, so please forgive me. :)

My husband and I want to sail and have decided that a junk rigged boat is the way to go.  As they are fairly rare, we are looking to possibly convert a yacht.

A broker mentioned that the Freedom 35' and 40' are particularly good for possible conversion because of the way they are built.

Questions for anyone who cares to help!

1. How long would this kind of conversion take (and where could it be done)?

2. How much would it cost?

3. Would any of the other Freedom yachts be as amenable to conversion?  We've found a 36' and a 39' but so far not a 35' or a 40'.

Any and all advice and thoughts are welcome - thanks in advance!

Kathlyn