1985 Freedom 21 vs 1975 Ericson 25+ — Comparison
1985 Freedom 21
1975 Ericson 25+
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1985 Freedom 21 | 1975 Ericson 25+ |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Freedom | Ericson |
| Year | 1985–1990 | 1975–1982 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Garry Hoyt | Bruce King |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 6.40 m (21.0 ft) | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) |
| LWL | 5.49 m (18.0 ft) | 6.25 m (20.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.13 m (7.0 ft) | 2.44 m (8.0 ft) |
| Draft | 0.76 m (2.5 ft) | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 726 kg (1,601 lbs) | 1,905 kg (4,200 lbs) |
| Ballast | 272 kg (600 lbs) | 726 kg (1,601 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 16.3 m² (176 ft²) | 25.0 m² (269 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Centerboard | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 4 HP | 7 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 11 L (2.9 gal) | 23 L (6.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 15 L (4.0 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 2 | 4 |
| Cabins | — | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1985 Freedom 21 and 1975 Ericson 25+ represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1985 Freedom 21 is a 1980s design by Freedom from USA, while the 1975 Ericson 25+ is a 1970s offering from Ericson from USA. The 1985 Freedom 21 was penned by Garry Hoyt. The 1975 Ericson 25+ was designed by Bruce King.
In terms of size, the 1985 Freedom 21 measures 6.40m (21.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.13m, compared to the 1975 Ericson 25+ at 7.62m (25.0ft) with a 2.44m beam. The 1975 Ericson 25+ is 1.22m longer than the 1985 Freedom 21. The 1975 Ericson 25+ displaces approximately 162% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1985 Freedom 21 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.52 and 16.3 m² of sail area. The 1975 Ericson 25+, with an SA/D of 16.54 and 25.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1985 Freedom 21 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1985 Freedom 21 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 12.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.95). The 1975 Ericson 25+ has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 37.5% for the 1985 Freedom 21 and 38.1% for the 1975 Ericson 25+, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1985 Freedom 21 provides 2 berths with 15L of water capacity and 11L of fuel. The 1975 Ericson 25+ offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 45L water and 23L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1975 Ericson 25+ is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The 1985 Freedom 21 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1975 Ericson 25+ offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.