Freedom

I bought a used Freedom in 2016. Super fun, responsive, and fast to paddle. Closer to a SINK than a SOT in some ways, because of the Greenland style hull, with lots of rocker. I love the boat, but would caution that it is not the greatest for big people (250# or over) or touring. The front hatch and storage area is quite small; the back one medium. Far less storage than a Tarpon 160. It is also a bit of a wet ride - just one big scupper hole in the center of the cockpit, not far from the seat edge. I'm glad I bought it and plan on keeping it, but use a Tarpon 160 for fishing/touring.

I did not have the good fortune to get this boat new as Wilderness had long since stopped making them when I bought mine last year. After a solid year of taking it out nearly every weekend I have good weather - I'll drop some tips for those of you dealing with this as a used boat (IE, no dealer options, never got your hatches fixed, etc.)

This is EASILY the fastest SOT ever made and quite a bit faster than even the super-fun (also a good choice if you can't find a Freedom) Necky Dolphin. It takes 3 strokes to reach hull speed, after that you're fighting drag but you're already at about 5.5 miles per hour on flatwater. In wind or waves she is very very decent as well.

The boats at Folsom Lake really enjoy trying to knock me over with wake since I have the audacity to be in the middle of such a large body of water that they consider their territory. They fail, of course and the Freedom has no problem with even extreme chop. I hardly notice. 1-2' waves break evenly on the bow and no water even gets in the boat. If it does, simply pull the one giant scupper and keep paddling. This is definitely a long-haul touring boat with a huge amount of cargo space inside. I take an Ice chest, my folding cart, extra life vest, camera equipment, lunch, a tent, folding chair and a small collapsible BBQ and they all fit fine in the hatches since there are no bulkhead structures in the way (the inside of the boat goes straight through, end to end - making room for very long / large objects.)

On rear hatch placement: This is a greenland style boat. As such, you can roll it! I don't know if there's another SOT like this, but you can lean all the way back against the rear deck and roll it (this is surprisingly simple with thigh straps and a little practice.) I love doing so to cool off though it's not necessary for an SOT to have this feature because it's so easy to get back on. Which brings me to my second point.

On getting in from the water: Someone stated in another review above that he doesn't recommend climbing in from the water via the rear as the greenland style deck means that the rear hatch (which leaks, it's true) is barely above the waterline. Why are you climbing in like that? From the water: Reach ACROSS the middle of the boat to the handle on the far side from you. Pull your self over the boat sideways. (you end up half pulling yourself up, and half pulling the boat under your stomach) Turn slightly and sit down. It's that stable, there's no need to go crazy.

On leaking hatches: For some of you it may be too late (if your seals are already too compressed and dried out so they aren't pliable any further) but this is what I did. Put your hatches on and tighten the strap as much as it can be tightened comfortably. Now unlatch them and tighten them about 6mm-8mm more. Now, re-latch them. Enjoy. When you get home, UNLATCH THEM and leave them that way. Let the boat dry out and let the hatch seals remain at rest when not on the water. If you hang your boat sideways on j-hooks at home (rather than storing it on a riser, or on the ground) and you think it looks funny with the hatches hanging off, then loosen them considerably instead. You should be able to jiggle it around (IE no seal contact with the boat)
If your seals are completely spent, there are a number of Do-It-Yourself materials which would work fine but you can also order this seal from Harmony or from TopKayaker. (Talk to Tom, he knows this boat)

On rigging (or... mine didn't come with paddle stow, seat, rudder, etc.):
The OEM equipment for this boat is sold here: http://topkayaker.com/
**The seat you want is the Surf to Summit Drifter - It's also available in a taller model
**These are the side handles with paddle stow (same as Tarpon 160)
**Scupper Plug
**Day hatch is a Viking 5" (I believe)
**Rudder Kit

Great boat, can be had for a song compared to what they would be worth. Nothing like it was made before or since. It stands utterly alone among sit on tops. There was nowhere near enough demand for such an odd thing in order for wilderness to continue making it, but if you like everything about touring kayaks (except you'd rather sit outside it) this is your boat.

Too bad that Wilderness Systems quit manufacturing the Freedom 15. Although a little on the heavy side, this boat is a very stable, maneuverable and fast SOT.

I've had my Freedom for several years now and thought it was time to finally submit a review.

What can I say...I love this boat. It has nice speed and stability but is also very easy to edge (without thigh braces) and turns rather well. I'm a bit heavy for this boat (225 lbs.) but that does not seem to matter. I've had it in a variety of settings from open water crossings to extremely tight and twisting rivers and it adapts quite well to any situation.

Complaints - few, really. It does weigh a lot but the plastic is thick and has held up very well, especially considering I'm not too gentle with it (oyster beds, boat ramps, logs, etc). Just eat your Wheaties, and you'll be fine.

WS no longer makes the Freedom, but if you can find a used one at a good price, I highly recommend it. I will soon have the opportunity to paddle a Tarpon 160 and I'll try to contrast/compare in the not too distant future.

I bought this kayak as a Demo model used. I could not be more pleased. Going to the Beach in the summer my P&H Capella and Hobie pursuit get left behind in favor of the WS Freedom. This boat tracks very well and is extremely fast. It came with a rudder but I have never used it yet. Very practical for surfing and beach paddling. No baking in the cockpit with this boat. If dumped, just right the boat and get back on. Handled all kinds of open water waves with no problem. Like other reviewers I found the seat a little to low for comfort. I just added a boat cushion on my surf and summit seat and could paddle all day. My hatches did not leak after several dumps in the surf. I think the trick is to tighten the straps until you have to push down on the hatches in order to snap the straps closed. Over all this boat is a 10+

An easily driven, fast accelerating, moderately stable (I weigh 275 lbs), maneuverable hard chine hull that tracks well and performs as close to a closed deck boat as I have seen among sit-on-tops. Good secondary stability, braces well, handles all seas, single scupper drains easily and rapidly, large hatches, lots of storage, would be a 10+ except for the ergonomically unsound seat as low as or lower than the feet sitting position. Tough on the bod over a long days paddle.

Great layout with well thought out storage compartments. Really like the footpegs and beefy handles. The boat performs very well, with enough length to provide adequate speed, but retaining the ability to turn enough for slow moving rivers. The downside? Weight! Feels like it hefts more than a lead statue of Oprah.

I have paddled my Freedom three times so far. It is a little skittish feeling at first but is actually very stable. I have tried a little edging and it does fine so far; I haven't pushed it. It is at least as fast as a Carolina. I paddled it upstream against a 3 mph current and into a strong wind with no problem.I am 6'6" tall and weigh 225 and I have some leg room to spare. That was not true on some other SOT I tried.So far, I am very pleased. I want to take it to the surf next. I'll update when I do.WS says they have fixed the leaky hatch problem. We'll find out.

I've used my Freedom all summer, and have had a great time with it. Sit-on-tops are great in hot weather because you aren't baking inside a cockpit. You have the ability to stick your legs in the water, and splash water all over to cool off. This is the only sit-on-top I've paddled, so I'm not comparing apples to apples, but I really prefer it to my Zoar (sit-inside and cook) for summer use. It scoots along pretty fast and is manueverable enough; I've only used the rudder during windy conditions, but was glad to have it then. If you want a boat you can hop off of and re-enter in deep water, you might not want to get this boat with a rear hatch (just a front one); when climbing up on the rear deck the hatch leaks and lets in a lot of water. Other than that, it's a great boat and a hoot to paddle.

I bought my Freedom for use as a fishing boat and have rigged it accordingly. I do not have a rudder as I prefer the solid braces and the boat is heavy enough (65lbs) without it. I am used to paddling a Looksha IV DS so the stability seems extremely high. Thigh braces allow me to lean for turns and the wind does not bother it much. I am 5'10" and 180lbs so I am probably optimum for the boat. The boat was suprisingly quick. I did not expect it to be as fast as it is. The boat came with flimsy hatch gaskets but the factory replaced them with heavyer ones at no charge. Other than the weight I have no complaints. I have even caught fish from it.

I have owned my Freedom for about 6 weeks. It is my first yak I wanted a yak that I could grow into not out of and the freedom fits the bill. She is fast but not the most stable. As long as you understand the trade off it is a great yak and has ample storage below decks. If you are a novice you may not want this yak but I went into this yak understanding it was not for a novice. On the other hand my wife had no trouble with the yak. I am a big man about 300lb the limit on the yak is 300lb this is not good I am limited to calm water. The rear hatch is only about 1/2n. above the water line and it will take on water very fast under the wrong situation. Don't take this as a flaw of the yak it is not, it is a flaw of the dealer that sold me the yak. My freedom does not have a rudder. A rudder would be nice but for now I want to learn without one. Because of the way the bow is make to me it seems to wind cock but I really don't have anything to compare it to. In the area of fishing there is no hull slap (great for chasing reds) and no tank well it's a trade off. I would not buy this yak again just because of my size. T kayak's lines are wonderful and she handles like a greyhound. Over all speed a+, tracking b+, stability c+, fishing b. Ps the wife has her now. I am looking at Scupper Pro TW.