I Surveyed this Classic Freeman 30 Cruiser today down at Horning on the Norfolk Broads.
John Freeman Marine built about 100 Freeman 30s from 1960 to 1969. The boat has the distinctive curved step in the deck line that was a feature of many of the early Freemans.
There are two versions, one with a centre cockpit and aft cabin like this example and one with an open cockpit. This one has six berths, the other has four.
The hull is shallow vee with a long , shallow keel. The boats were primarily built for river use but are quite cable of fair weather passages in estuary or coastal waters.
Single or twin diesels were fitted. In the early boats the most common installation was a pair of 56HP Parsons Porbeagles, which would give a top speed of about 10 Knots. Later boats were fitted with more powerful engines commonly a pair of 108HP Thornycrofts, which increase top speed up to 13 Knots. This one has the twin Bedfords at 98HP.. Fitted to the last ones built… this one was apparently a 1968 model.
Surveyors comments generally on all Freeman models
Its a well known fact that many old Freemans have osmosis blistering to the underbody, and that the mouldings absorbe a substantial quantity of moisture during their life, but this is not uncommon on vessels of this age and type and have spent most of their life’s continuously afloat. When considering the thickness of the laminate the decision whether or not to treat the osmosis can be judged on a financial rather than structural basis in most cases, and should be therefore left entirely to the owners discretion. It must however be remembered that osmosis will not cure itself, but could remain static for many years with out requiring expensive treatment. I always recommend that Freeman owners take their vessels out of the water over the winter periods and store them in the dry, out of this they reduce the possibility of further osmotically induced gel coat blistering.
One of the most popular Freeman's, a genuine classic. A versatile boat for estuary, sea and river.
John Freeman Marine built about 100 Freeman 30s from 1960 to 1969. The boat has the distinctive curved step in the deck line that was a feature of many of the early Freemans.
There are two versions, one with a centre cockpit and aft cabin like this example and one with an open cockpit. This one has six berths, the other has four.
The hull is shallow vee with a long , shallow keel. The boats were primarily built for river use but are quite cable of fair weather passages in estuary or coastal waters.
Single or twin diesels were fitted. In the early boats the most common installation was a pair of 56HP Parsons Porbeagles, which would give a top speed of about 10 Knots. Later boats were fitted with more powerful engines commonly a pair of 108HP Thornycrofts, which increase top speed up to 13 Knots. This one has the twin Bedfords at 98HP.. Fitted to the last ones built… this one was apparently a 1968 model.
Surveyors comments generally on all Freeman models
Its a well known fact that many old Freemans have osmosis blistering to the underbody, and that the mouldings absorbe a substantial quantity of moisture during their life, but this is not uncommon on vessels of this age and type and have spent most of their life’s continuously afloat. When considering the thickness of the laminate the decision whether or not to treat the osmosis can be judged on a financial rather than structural basis in most cases, and should be therefore left entirely to the owners discretion. It must however be remembered that osmosis will not cure itself, but could remain static for many years with out requiring expensive treatment. I always recommend that Freeman owners take their vessels out of the water over the winter periods and store them in the dry, out of this they reduce the possibility of further osmotically induced gel coat blistering.
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| Steve from Ferry Marine washing off the bottom |
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| The first 30,s were built with wooden mahogany deck and superstructure like this example. |
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