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Freestyle 474 #184191
07/05/09 11:18 PM
07/05/09 11:18 PM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 52
Minnesota
ryanm Offline OP
journeyman
ryanm  Offline OP
journeyman

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 52
Minnesota
About a year ago there was a discussion about a Freestyle 474...

http://www.catsailor.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=141884&page=1

Well I bought the boat and fixed it up a bit and wanted to share my knowledge and show some of the pictures

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

We repainted the hulls and added some vinyl decals. We repainted the daggers and the rudders and replaced all the lines and rigging. Next year we want to get a nice mylar sail or a square top and maybe a spinnaker. I also attached a picture of us sailing in the cold spring.

Attached Files
-- Have You Seen This? --
Re: Freestyle 474 [Re: ryanm] #184196
07/06/09 03:10 AM
07/06/09 03:10 AM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,528
Looking for a Job, I got credi...
scooby_simon Offline
Hull Flying, Snow Sliding....
scooby_simon  Offline
Hull Flying, Snow Sliding....
Carpal Tunnel

Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,528
Looking for a Job, I got credi...
Looks very good.

I would say that you need to get the mast raked further back as it looks, from those pictures that it is raked forward. YOu do not want the mast raked forward!


F16 - GBR 553 - SOLD

I also talk sport here
Re: Freestyle 474 [Re: scooby_simon] #184198
07/06/09 05:50 AM
07/06/09 05:50 AM
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 171
Cary, NC
Storz Offline
member
Storz  Offline
member

Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 171
Cary, NC
Really cool looking boat! When were they made?


Ryan
1983 Isotope
Re: Freestyle 474 [Re: ryanm] #184208
07/06/09 07:42 AM
07/06/09 07:42 AM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 144
Near SLC, Utah
tomthouse Offline
member
tomthouse  Offline
member

Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 144
Near SLC, Utah
You did a nice job on that 747 Freestyle.

They are great boats.

The unirig is simple and powers the boat for lots of fun in the sun sailing.

We use ours on a lake but have taken it on the 30 mile trip from San Pedro, southern California to Catalina Island.

It performs quite well in either kind of sailing.

We often sail it with a crew but it handles best as a single handing boat.

After we blew up the mast on my boat, sailing fast with several people on board, we drove to Canada to pick up a replacement mast.

The fellow was kind enough to offer a package deal which included a spinnaker set up.

He blew up one hull by folding it at the front beam when flying a mast head spinnaker, without a spreader at the base of the bridle wire.

That 474 mast is pretty light and thin walled and never intended for a spinnaker.

I think it would have been OK with a spreader.

Tom

Last edited by tomthouse; 07/06/09 04:05 PM.
Re: Freestyle 474 [Re: tomthouse] #184209
07/06/09 07:49 AM
07/06/09 07:49 AM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 131
Southern Ontario
fredsmith Offline
member
fredsmith  Offline
member

Joined: May 2002
Posts: 131
Southern Ontario
I like it, but then I love single handed uni-rigged boats.
Good luck with the other alterations.

Fred Smith
A Cat

Re: Freestyle 474 [Re: scooby_simon] #184223
07/06/09 10:41 AM
07/06/09 10:41 AM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 52
Minnesota
ryanm Offline OP
journeyman
ryanm  Offline OP
journeyman

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 52
Minnesota
Originally Posted by scooby_simon
Looks very good.

I would say that you need to get the mast raked further back as it looks, from those pictures that it is raked forward. YOu do not want the mast raked forward!


Ya, i was going to ask about that. The forstay was that length when we picked it up. I noticed how far forward it was and it caught my attention, but then a cat owner down at my beach said that because it doesnt have a front sail it'd be fine. I still want to replace it though. Would it affect the boat's preformance a lot?

Re: Freestyle 474 [Re: ryanm] #184224
07/06/09 10:43 AM
07/06/09 10:43 AM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 52
Minnesota
ryanm Offline OP
journeyman
ryanm  Offline OP
journeyman

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 52
Minnesota
Hey Tom,
Do you still use the standard rudder setup or did you replace it?

Re: Freestyle 474 [Re: ryanm] #184228
07/06/09 10:56 AM
07/06/09 10:56 AM

D
DougSnell
Unregistered
DougSnell
Unregistered
D



The foil or spreader really takes load of the hulls. And you MUST be sheeted in and travailed in before you pop the chute on a small boat, as this works as a backstay.

Doug

Re: Freestyle 474 [Re: ] #184233
07/06/09 11:21 AM
07/06/09 11:21 AM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 52
Minnesota
ryanm Offline OP
journeyman
ryanm  Offline OP
journeyman

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 52
Minnesota
Doug,
I currently dont have a chute on my boat but thanks for the advice.

Re: Freestyle 474 [Re: ryanm] #184239
07/06/09 12:21 PM
07/06/09 12:21 PM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 144
Near SLC, Utah
tomthouse Offline
member
tomthouse  Offline
member

Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 144
Near SLC, Utah
"Do you still use the standard rudder setup or did you replace it?"

I still have the standard rudders and steering assembly.

I've always thought they were a "weak-link" in the boat's design.

I've sailed the sox off that boat in all kinds of conditions on lakes and in coastal waters and found the steering assembly to hold up quite well.

the only modification I've made was to install a lanyard to assist the rudder to stay in the up position when on my mooring.

I got tired of seeing the rudders bounce around and wear as they repeatedly hit the tiller arm with every wave cycle.

Great boat!

It's always been one of my favorites.

It sails great, it easily rights and simplicity is a plus.

I've (inadvertently) gone out of my way a few times to pitch-pole that boat a few times and it resists smartly.

I think the one time it did pitch-pole was when I lost my footing a slid off the front beam. Following that spectacular maneuver the boat followed and stayed on its toes long enough for me to start wondering how I'd pull it over so I could right it.

The only problem I can remember is the daggerboards never want to stay where I put them... they always migrate to the "full-down" position...especially in chop.

I'd guess a small strip of carpet glued to the inside of the trunk or the outside of the board would solve that issue.

I've also worried a bit about losing a daggerboard in a capsize or turtle in bumpy conditions...however that has never occurred.

Re: Freestyle 474 [Re: tomthouse] #184300
07/06/09 11:04 PM
07/06/09 11:04 PM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 52
Minnesota
ryanm Offline OP
journeyman
ryanm  Offline OP
journeyman

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 52
Minnesota
Could you explain how you kept the rudders up a bit better? i ran a rope through a cleat but there isnt enough force to keep it up out of the water. I also have the same problem with the dagger boards. I installed shock cord with foam rollers to help, but i need some thicker shock cord to have more force.

Re: Freestyle 474 [Re: ryanm] #184321
07/07/09 08:18 AM
07/07/09 08:18 AM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 144
Near SLC, Utah
tomthouse Offline
member
tomthouse  Offline
member

Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 144
Near SLC, Utah
The lines I've installed to keep my rudders from banging up and down when on the mooring are pretty simple.

I tied a 1/8 inch double braid line to the rudders bungie cord attachment hole.

I looped the other end of the line through the intersection of the tiller and cross bar and tied a rolling hitch or taut line hitch so I could quickly slip the knot up and down the line to tighten or loosen the line that holds up the rudders without untying any knots.

I leave the line attached all the time and simply loosen it when sailing and tighten it when on the mooring.

Rolling hitch:
http://www.animatedknots.com/rollin...og.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com

Taut line hitch:
http://www.douglasbsa.com/knots/taunt.html

One of my next projects is to set the boat up with a spinnaker.

That should add some fun in the sun.

Re: Freestyle 474 [Re: ryanm] #184322
07/07/09 08:27 AM
07/07/09 08:27 AM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 144
Near SLC, Utah
tomthouse Offline
member
tomthouse  Offline
member

Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 144
Near SLC, Utah
I was just thinking about those 474 dagger boards slipping.

I use 3/4 PVC pipe to protect the tensioning bungies and very heavy bungie cord and the boards still slip.

The down side of the heavy bungies is that they realy put some pressure on the tramp gommets.

I like your idea of the foam rollers. However last time I tried that the foam deteriorated pretty fast.

I'm half thinking that using some bike handlebar tape might add enough friction to those pesky dagger board bungie pipe keepers and bike tape is pretty tough and pretty inexpensive.

I've used that bike tape for years to soften and add some friction to the grips on my tiller hiking extensions.

Re: Freestyle 474 [Re: tomthouse] #184352
07/07/09 11:59 AM
07/07/09 11:59 AM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,037
Central California
ejpoulsen Offline
old hand
ejpoulsen  Offline
old hand

Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,037
Central California
Tom,
I will be at Bear Lake from July 22; if you need any crew to sail let me know.
Eric


Eric Poulsen
A-class USA 203
Ultimate 20
Central California
Re: Freestyle 474 [Re: ejpoulsen] #184355
07/07/09 12:24 PM
07/07/09 12:24 PM
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,253
Columbia South Carolina, USA
dave mosley Offline
veteran
dave mosley  Offline
veteran

Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,253
Columbia South Carolina, USA
Doesnt that boat look alot like the SC17?


The men were amazed, and said, "What kind of a man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?" Matthew 8:27





Re: Freestyle 474 [Re: dave mosley] #184366
07/07/09 02:28 PM
07/07/09 02:28 PM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 144
Near SLC, Utah
tomthouse Offline
member
tomthouse  Offline
member

Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 144
Near SLC, Utah
Eric Poulsen:
It's always nice to have you drop by our Bear Lake House. It is beautiful up that way and often very nice sailing.

Dave Mosely:
The 474 Freestyle is a lot like a SC 17 or even the SC 15 that was in production for a few years.

When mice trashed my 474 Main I couldn't locate a replacement. I eventually went to a SC 15 main with no alterations to anything.

I got that sail from Aquarius Sails Inc., who still supports Supercats, RC and ARC catamarans.
http://www.aquarius-sail.com/

Tom Haberman is a great guy and a great resource.

The only difference I've notices is the SC 15 main is a bit shorter (head to tack) than was the 474 main. However it gives me a bit more head room when ducking under the main on tacks and jibes.

Both boats are great boats...and fun to sail...!

I still have my SC 17...

Anyway, on those slippery dagger boards...I have some friends who simply glued some indoor outdoor carpet strips to the inside of their dagger board trunks.

That also helped the dagger boards to stay put.

The one or two inch carpet strips were cheap, easy, lasted for quite some time and were easily and cheaply replaced.

I might try that also....though I can't remember if they glued the strips virtically or just around the bottom of the trunks where they could easily reach them.

It has been some time since I saw them and I don't recall...exactly.

When I'm sailing it isn't much of an issue...the boards are usually down. I usaully only pull them up wehn landing.

I have installed a short 1/8 inch diameter eight inch long lanyard to each of my dagger board, in additon to the 1/2 inch diameter loops that I use to pull the boards up.

After the boards are pulled up and when I put the boat on the mooring I use the 1/8 diameter lanyards to tie the top of the boards to my trap lines, just above the trap line grab bars.

That keeps the boards in the up position when periodically bouncing around on the mooring ball.


Last edited by tomthouse; 07/07/09 02:57 PM.
Re: Freestyle 474 [Re: tomthouse] #184374
07/07/09 03:51 PM
07/07/09 03:51 PM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 52
Minnesota
ryanm Offline OP
journeyman
ryanm  Offline OP
journeyman

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 52
Minnesota
Tom,
I might try the carpet. The rollers are working as of now but dont seem like the will hold up in the long run.

As for the mast being raked forward, could someone tell if this is affecting the performance of the boat?

Thanks,
Ryan

Re: Freestyle 474 [Re: ryanm] #184385
07/07/09 05:52 PM
07/07/09 05:52 PM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 144
Near SLC, Utah
tomthouse Offline
member
tomthouse  Offline
member

Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 144
Near SLC, Utah
The boat's "performance is affected by lots of things...as is the boat's "center of effort".

Rig rake is one of them.

As a result mast rake affects the boat's pointing, weather and lee helm characteristics.

Most boat's center of effort is also affected by the point of sail, how the main is cut, etc.

Some of this you've probably felt in how the "helm feels". This changes when going to weather or sailing down wind.

"Helm feel" also seems to change as wind and boat speeds increase.

It changes as one rakes the ruddrs fore or aft.

Of course helm characteristics or "feels" is also affected by how one balances the sheeting of the main and jib or spinnaker.

I find on most boats when going to weather the helm maybe more "weatherly" as the wind and boat speeds get higher and when running the helm will be less so and even be a neutral or even become a lee helm as wind and boat speed increase down wind (perhaps a dangerous thing).

The center of effort on a stock boat is probably close to a line drawn between the dagger boards.

It is the pivot point about which the boat's mast and rudders pivot.

If the boat's center of effort is in front of that dagger board line the boat has weather helm (a good thing unless taken to an extreme).

If the mast rake moves the boat's center of effort aft of that line the boat has lee helm (not a good thing at all).

You can get rid of lee helm by raking the mast or get rid of overly heavy weather helm by rake the mast less.

I'd like to hear what others have to say, in answer to your question.

Re: Freestyle 474 [Re: tomthouse] #184387
07/07/09 06:15 PM
07/07/09 06:15 PM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 443
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
bobcat Offline
addict
bobcat  Offline
addict

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 443
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Quote
If the boat's center of effort is in front of that dagger board line the boat has weather helm (a good thing unless taken to an extreme).

If the mast rake moves the boat's center of effort aft of that line the boat has lee helm (not a good thing at all).


I believe you have these reversed.

Re: Freestyle 474 [Re: bobcat] #184407
07/07/09 11:47 PM
07/07/09 11:47 PM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 52
Minnesota
ryanm Offline OP
journeyman
ryanm  Offline OP
journeyman

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 52
Minnesota
On most catamarans is there hardware on the forstay for adjusting the the rake? And could some other users input on the raking?

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