Freedom 36
Built 1985–1989 by Tillotson-Pearson Inc. (TPI)
About the Freedom 36
Researched from public sources for this model. Any individual boat may have been modified or repowered — confirm before relying on any figure.
- Built
- 1985–1989
- Builder
- Tillotson-Pearson Inc. (TPI)
- Designer
- Gary Mull
- Length
- 36.42 ft
- Waterline
- 30.63 ft
- Beam
- 12.5 ft
- Draft
- 4.5 ft
- Displacement
- 14,370 lb
- Ballast
- 6,500 lb
- Hull
- fiberglass-cored
- Hull / keel
- fin keel
- Rig
- sloop
- Propulsion
- inboard
- Fuel
- 35 gal
- Water
- 64 gal
- Stern thruster
- none
Unstayed carbon mast with small self-tacking jib (technically a sloop); cat-ketch versions also offered. Deep-keel version is an external bolted lead fin (sailboatdata: 6.0 ft draft, 13,400 lb displacement); shoal keel is encapsulated. Specs above are the shoal version. Spade rudder. Hull-deck joint through-bolted through an aluminum toerail.
Known problems for this model
-
Balsa-cored hull and deck hull
Hull and deck are balsa-cored throughout; through-hull and deck fittings must be sealed carefully and any damage repaired promptly to keep water out of the core.practical-sailor.com
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Unstayed carbon mast rigging
The freestanding carbon mast bends noticeably in puffs by design; Practical Sailor knew of at least one damaged by lightning. Check the mast finish and partners.practical-sailor.com
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Hard-to-reach dipstick engine
The 27 hp Yanmar is adequate but its dipstick is awkward to reach from any access panel.practical-sailor.com
Engines & parts
Yanmar 3GM / 3GM30F parts: good
Factory standard engine — you entered “Yanmar 3GM”
Very popular (used 3GM30Fs sell for $3,000+) and supported by a strong parts network. Cylinder head overhauls (valve seals, lapping, injector service) are a common, parts-supported repair.
Parts sources: Mack Boring & Parts (Yanmar distributor), HDI Marine (stainless exhaust elbows), Parts4Engines
Common problems (2)
-
Overheating at cruise rpm cooling
The 3GM30F has a known overheating tendency linked to its heat exchanger; owners also trace it to coked elbows, worn impellers, scaled heat exchangers or air in the raw water circuit. Some heat exchangers were replaced under warranty.forums.sailboatowners.com
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Mixing elbow corrosion exhaust
OEM elbows corrode internally and should be inspected or replaced with stainless versions before they let water into the engine.practical-sailor.com · facebook.com
Model sources (2)
Other Freedom models
- Freedom 33 1979–1983
Researched from public sources. Spotted an error? The sources are listed above — tell us what they got wrong.