Freedom

DSI Freedom DSI Freedom
  • Our principle program delivery boat is a purpose built 24ft David Payne daysailer racing yacht for disabled people.
  • Freedom was designed in 1998 and built in 2000 to be sensitive to the needs of the disabled.
  • Freedom can carry up to 6 persons with a mild disability.
  • When racing, a crew of up to 6 is on board but, when cruising, Freedom can cater for 9 crew and passengers.
  • Moored at RSAYS, Outer Harbor, SA, Australia.
  • DSI also has access to a range of boats for our programs in Adelaide.

Winning team

Since the acquisition of Freedom in 2008 and DSI in 2005, our key achievement has been to provide many disabled people and their carers with an on-board sailing experience.

For those disabled sailors who wish to compete at a higher level Freedom has a list of achievements including:

  • 2010/11 Contours Womens Series 1st
  • 2010/11 Twilight Series 3rd
  • 2009 T G Flint Memorial Race 1st

Statistics

It is a yacht designed by David Payne, some statistics are:

  • Designer: David Payne
  • Year Built: 2000
  • Length (LOA) : 7.45m
  • Waterline Length : 7.4m
  • Beam : 2.39m
  • Draft : 1.5m
  • Displacement : 1,820kg
  • Ballast : 800kg
  • Mast height : 8.5m
  • Number of winches : 4
  • Maximum speed : 14.2kts 2011 Plympton Cup
  • Engine capacity : 8hp Mariner outboard
  • Racing crew : up to 6
  • EPIRB (406MHz)
  • Radios : VHF
  • Bulb keel
  • 1 first aid kit
  • Smoke, orange, red flares
  • Personal Floatation Devices (PFD) for all crew.

CLOTHING

The crew mostly wear shorts and T shirts, non slip shoes, good gloves and secure cap or hat to sail. In colder climates, thermals are the 1st layer, next fleecey mid layer, then specially designed, good quality wet weather gear. It doesn't matter if your wet but you must stay warm.

CREW SAFETY TRAINING

All the crew has certified sea survival training. A lot of the crew has senior first aid training, radio operator's licence as well as a good working knowledge of the yacht and the technology required to save lives and how to use it. Man over board drills and many other aspects of safety, both in Harbour and off shore, are part of our daily routine. Yachting is a great sport but it needs to be carried out in a safe as possible environment.

2010 AND BEYOND

However 2010 finds us without a major sponsor and running on empty. At this point the future looks quite bleak. Like a million other "not for profits" we are seeking assistance; no we are not seeking assistance we are seeking a partner, some one that believes in what we believe in, some one who can use our media profile, someone who wants to be part of tomorrow. So if you know anyone or, if you can, we would love to hear from you. In the meantime there are kids to take sailing, races to race, attitudes to change, sunsets to see and a harbour full of penguins, our KAZ program to expand and much more. We will keep going for as long as we can.