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Freedom 38
Designer: Gary Mull  ·  Builder: Tillotson Pearson Inc, (Usa)  ·  First built: 1989
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About the Freedom 38

Built by Tillotson Pearson from 1989 through the early 1990s, this Gary Mull-designed cruiser stands out in the sailing world for its distinctive freestanding rig system. The Freedom 38's most notable characteristic is its unstayed carbon fiber mast, which eliminates the complexity and maintenance concerns of traditional standing rigging while providing excellent sailing performance. With a moderate displacement of 16,970 pounds and a fin keel drawing 4.5 feet, this 38-footer strikes an appealing balance between performance and comfort. The boat's 30.63-foot waterline length delivers a theoretical hull speed of 7.42 knots, while the SA/Displacement ratio of 16.66 indicates spirited sailing ability without being overly demanding to handle. The Freedom 38 excels as a coastal cruiser and makes an excellent choice for couples or small families seeking simplified sailing without sacrificing performance. Its comfort ratio of 27.66 suggests a relatively stiff, responsive boat that won't pound excessively in choppy conditions. The low capsize screening value of 1.95 reflects good stability characteristics, though the design is better suited for coastal waters rather than extended offshore passages. The freestanding rig's simplicity particularly appeals to sailors who prefer reduced complexity and maintenance requirements.

Market Price Estimate Beta
Small sample size. This estimate is based on fewer than 5 listings and may not be representative of the true market. Use with caution.
$59,900 – $75,000
typical asking price
Median $67,450  ·  2 listings used
All listings
$59,900 – $75,000 2
Rate a listing price
$
About this estimate
  • Prices are based on recent asking prices from public listings — not actual sale prices, which are typically lower.
  • Condition is not factored in. A well-maintained boat with new sails and engine can be worth significantly more than a project boat of the same model.
  • Location affects price. Boats in landlocked states or areas with fewer buyers often sell for less than those on the coast.
  • Year of manufacture is not filtered. Older examples of this model will generally be priced lower than newer ones.
  • Included equipment varies widely. A boat with a full suite of electronics, dodger, and new standing rigging may command a large premium.
  • Outliers are automatically excluded using statistical filtering to improve accuracy, but some bad data may remain.
Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 37.92 ft / 11.56 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 30.63 ft / 9.34 m
Beam 12.50 ft / 3.81 m
Max Draft 4.50 ft / 1.37 m
Displacement 16,970.00 lb / 7,697 kg
Ballast 6,500.00 lb / 2,948 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 685.00 ft² / 63.64 m²
Headroom 6.33 ft / 1.93 m
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Frac. Sloop (Free standing)
Construction FG
Designer Gary Mull
Builder Tillotson Pearson Inc, (USA)
First Built 1989
Associations FreedomYachts.org
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Known Issues & What to Watch For

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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
 142
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
 16.66
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
 38.3
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
 263.63
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
 27.66
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
 1.95
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 7.42 kn
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
 1.75
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 1,368.05 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 13.91
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 33.80 ft / 10.30 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 11.50 ft / 3.51 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 45.50 ft / 13.87 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 16.60 ft / 5.06 m
SA Fore 194.35 ft² / 18.06 m²
SA Main 377.65 ft² / 35.08 m²
SA Total (100%) 572.00 ft² / 53.14 m²
Est. Forestay Length 35.70 ft / 10.88 m
Mast Height (DWL) 55.50 ft / 16.92 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Yanmar
Engine Model 3GM
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 27
Fuel Capacity 35 gals / 132 L
Water Capacity 64 gals / 242 L
Find a Freedom 38 For Sale
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