The Freedom 44 Cat Ketch Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The Freedom 44 Cat Ketch was designed by Halsey Herreshoff & Gary Hoyt and built in the USA by Tillotson Pearson Inc.

The Freedom 44 Cat Ketch under sailThe Freedom 44 Cat Ketch

Published Specification for the Freedom 44 Cat Ketch

Underwater Profile: Fin keel & skeg-hung rudder

Hull Material: GRP (Fibreglass)

Length Overall: 44'0" (13.4m)

Waterline Length: 39'6" (12.0m)

Beam: 12'0" (3.7m)

Draft: 6'0" (1.8m)

Rig Type: Unstayed cat ketch

Displacement: 24,000lb (10,886kg)

Designer: Halsey Herreshoff & Gary Hoyt

Builder: Tillotson Pearson Inc (USA)

Year First Built: 1981

Published Design Ratios for the Freedom 44 Cat Ketch

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 19.3

  • Less than 16 would be considered under-powered;
  • 16 to 20 would indicate reasonably good performance;
  • Over 20 suggests relatively high performance.

2. Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 29.2

  • Under 40: less stiff, less powerful
  • Over 40: stiffer, more powerful

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 174

  • Under 100: Ultralight
  • 100 to 200: Light
  • 200 to 275: Moderate
  • 275 to 350: Heavy
  • Over 350: Ultraheavy

4. Comfort Ratio: 33.2

  • Under 20 indicates a lightweight racing boat
  • 20 to 30 indicates a coastal cruiser
  • 30 to 40 indicates a moderate offshore cruising boat
  • 40 to 50 indicates a heavy offshore boat
  • Over 50 indicates an extremely heavy offshore boat

5. Capsize Screening Formula: 1.7

  • Under 2.0 (the lower the better): Better suited for ocean passages
  • Over 2.0: Less suited for ocean passages

read more about these Key Performance Indicators...

Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the Freedom 44 Cat Ketch

1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 19.3 suggests that the Freedom 44 Cat Ketch will, in the right conditions, approach her maximum hull speed readily and satisfy the sailing performance expectations of most cruising sailors.

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 29.2 means that a sailboat like the Freedom 44 Cat Ketch (which doesn't have a stiffness-enhancing bulb keel), is likely to benefit from being reefed early to keep her sailing upright in a moderate breeze.

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 174, tells us the Freedom 44 Cat Ketch is a light displacement sailboat. If she's loaded with too much heavy cruising gear her performance will suffer to a degree.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 33.2 suggests that crew comfort of a Freedom 44 Cat Ketch in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a moderate bluewater cruising boat - a predictable and acceptable motion for most seasoned sailors.

5. The Capsize Screening Formula (CSF) of 1.7 indicates that a Freedom 44 Cat Ketch would be a safer choice of sailboat for an ocean passage than one with a CSF of more than 2.0. 

Recent Articles

  1. Used Sailboats for Sale in the Caribbean

    Jun 07, 23 01:51 AM

    Looking for used sailboats for sale that are capable of crossing an ocean? These cruising yachts are already in the Caribbean, but what are the risks and benefits of buying out there?

    Read More

  2. 'Shindig', a 40ft Bluewater Cruising Yacht for Sale

    Jun 04, 23 08:32 AM

    If you're looking for a unique Bluewater Cruising Yacht for sale in the Caribbean, then 'Shindig' is certainly worth a look...

    Read More

  3. Used Sailing Equipment For Sale

    Jun 04, 23 06:26 AM

    Here's where people with sailing equipment for sale advertise their stuff entirely free of charge. If you're looking for used sailing gear or other used boating accessories, here's where to find it!

    Read More