Another little Freeman Cruiser to Survey today. This one down at Brundall at Norfolk Yacht Agency’s Service Station. The guys are very busy this time of year, with lots of owners wanting their boats serviced ready for the start of the new season. Very professional bunch of guys at BBC.
The Freeman 24 superseded the Freeman 23. The boat has a very different hull, of medium vee configuration and considerably beamier than the 23’s. The superstructure is beamier too, its rakish lines in complete contrast to the soft curves of the 23. And you can drive the boat from a shelter of an open backed wheelhouse. John Freeman Marine built over 1000 Freeman 24’s from 1975 to 1984. From about 1980 they preferred to call the boat the Freeman 750. The boat is primarily a river cruiser but is capable of making estuarial and sheltered coastal passages in fair weather ( category C).
The interior layout is similar to a 23, with four berths in an open plan cabin in which the forward berths can be isolated by opening the hanging locker door across the boat.
Most 24’s are powered by single inboard engines, petrol watermotas from 30 to 63HP, or like this example a 50 / 55 HP Perkins diesel engine giving speeds of 9 to 10 knots. Two of the same push speeds up to 14 knots!
Surveyors comments: Check the keel bolts if possible - lift up the floor boards in the main cabin and check for leaks. Window seal leaks on all older vessels... laminated chipboard bulkheads can prove difficult to repair.
For some reason Freemans very rarely had a bilge pump fitted.
What Makes for an Adequate System? This is a question I've been struggling with for years. Unfortunately, there are no pat answers because the criteria for an adequate pumping system depends on the style of the boat, not merely its size. Some types of boats are more vulnerable than others, like sport fishermen and open boats. In any case, for every type there is a basic minimum. The table below lists what I think that minimum is based on boat length.
Osmosis! All older Freemans have a few blisters unless they have been recently epoxied.
Its good practice to take the boat out of the water over the winter period and store her in the dry, out of thus reduce the possibility of further osmotically induced gel coat blistering.
Thinking of Buying a Boat and Need Help? I specialise in Boats of all types, and I will assist you to make an informed decision. Contact me for a detailed and comprehensive report at: steventruss1@aol.com
The Freeman 24 superseded the Freeman 23. The boat has a very different hull, of medium vee configuration and considerably beamier than the 23’s. The superstructure is beamier too, its rakish lines in complete contrast to the soft curves of the 23. And you can drive the boat from a shelter of an open backed wheelhouse. John Freeman Marine built over 1000 Freeman 24’s from 1975 to 1984. From about 1980 they preferred to call the boat the Freeman 750. The boat is primarily a river cruiser but is capable of making estuarial and sheltered coastal passages in fair weather ( category C).
The interior layout is similar to a 23, with four berths in an open plan cabin in which the forward berths can be isolated by opening the hanging locker door across the boat.
Most 24’s are powered by single inboard engines, petrol watermotas from 30 to 63HP, or like this example a 50 / 55 HP Perkins diesel engine giving speeds of 9 to 10 knots. Two of the same push speeds up to 14 knots!
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| 'Speedo' washing her off for inspection |
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| Unusual this little boat… one careful owner.. Stern and bow thrusters |
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| Mediterranean or Norfolk… no difference… |
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| Interesting... a new battery powered Classic Thames Launch just turned up for some work... what happened to the old straight six ..what ever next!! |
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| The guys at BBC were busy installing a new engine in this sports cruiser |
Surveyors comments: Check the keel bolts if possible - lift up the floor boards in the main cabin and check for leaks. Window seal leaks on all older vessels... laminated chipboard bulkheads can prove difficult to repair.
For some reason Freemans very rarely had a bilge pump fitted.
Boat Length
|
No. Pumps
|
Total Capacity - GPH
|
| 16 - 20 | 2 | 2500 |
| 21 - 26 | 2 | 3000 - 3500 |
| 27 - 35 | 3 | 3500 - 4500 |
| 36 - 42 | 3 | 6000 |
| 43 - 49 | 3 - 4 | 8000 |
| 50 - 59 | 4 - 5 | 9000 - 10,000 |
| 60 - 60 | 4 - 5 | 10,000+ |
Osmosis! All older Freemans have a few blisters unless they have been recently epoxied.
Its good practice to take the boat out of the water over the winter period and store her in the dry, out of thus reduce the possibility of further osmotically induced gel coat blistering.
Thinking of Buying a Boat and Need Help? I specialise in Boats of all types, and I will assist you to make an informed decision. Contact me for a detailed and comprehensive report at: steventruss1@aol.com
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