Frac. Sloop (Free standing) · Fin keel, spade rudder · First built 1986
A 1986 fin-keeled sloop with a 40% ballast ratio, offering a stiff, performance-oriented alternative to the Freedom 27
Designed by Gary Mull, built by Tillotson Pearson Inc.
LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Ballast
Hull type
Fin w/spade Rudder
Is it for you?
Character
Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.
LivelyComfort 18Sea-kindly
CoastalCapsize 2.22Bluewater
LightD/L 224Heavy
EasygoingSA/D 15.5Powered-up
TenderBallast 40%Stiff
A balanced, easily-driven cruiser — comfortable and forgiving for coastal work.
The record
Full specifications
The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.
Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
39.9%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Frac. Sloop (Free standing)
Ratios
SA / displacement
15.5
Displacement / length
223.9
Comfort ratio
18.1
Capsize screening
2.22
Hull speed
6.5 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
854
Hull
Hull type
Fin w/spade rudder
Construction
Fiberglass
Ballast type
Lead
Production
Years built
First built 1986
Designer
Gary Mull
Builder
Tillotson Pearson Inc, Freedom Yachts
Boats like this, on the water
Nobody has filmed this one — but these are close.
Comparable boats the fleet has on camera: same type, within a quarter of her length. Open the boat, or watch the video — a timestamp means she only appears in passing.
Pearson Yachts 27 (Triton 27)8.23 mSame hull family0.2 m shorterA Doug Peterson-influenced masthead sloop built from US Yachts molds, offering a light-displacement take on IOR design
Bristol Yachts 288.53 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthAn IOR Half Ton racer with reduced stern overhang, serving as the performance-oriented predecessor to the Bristol 29.9
Maxi Yachts Fenix 8.58.50 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 1980s cruiser with a 1.5-metre bulb keel and spade rudder, designed for a balanced, stable coastal experience
Islander Yachts 288.51 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Robert Perry-designed masthead sloop with over 400 built, favored by the designer himself for her balanced performance
Puma 277.95 mSame hull family0.4 m shorterA Ron Holland-designed masthead sloop with a fin keel and spade rudder, built for performance-oriented coastal cruising
Jeanneau Rush 319.13 mSame hull family0.8 m longerA Ron Holland-designed IOR half-tonner that served as the official boat for the Tour de France à la Voile