EA License increases

[miket]

Delighted to say that we have now sold our Nimbus 345 to a really super chap. Escorting him to Thames & Kennett Marina on Saturday. It will remain there for the winter before returning to the S Coast.
We have now down sized from a Broom 37 (37 x 13.5) to a Freeman 33 (33 x 11), via the Nimbus. Am doubly delighted that that will have screwed the EA's forecast income post 12% increase at least to some small degree.
We have also booked a week's charter in Holland for next June in what looks to be a superb boat.
The grand plan, which could go pear shaped any time, was to reduce the size of our boat (EA) and be able to reach Lechlade (1 of 2 low windscreen Freeman 33's that will). The down side was the loss of a boat capable of going to sea. To compensate, we have decided that when we want a shot of salty stuff, we will charter wherever we want to cruise enabling us to see areas that we would not get to in our own boat.
Will be interesting to see if it works out.

 

[alb40]

I would have thought the Freeman 33 would be fine out in the salty stuff. My mates old Freeman 26, and our Freeman 22 handle well out in the estuary (although their a bit slow having 6 - 7 knots maximum). Force 6 is no problem for them, although I wouldnt go out in anything more personally.

 

[Andrew_Fanner]

Fellow club members have taken their Freeman 30 cross channel several times, I'd have thought the 33 would be fine.

 

[byron]

Difference is MikeT is a very experienced yottie and will not take a craft to sea unless it is 100% suitable. I would add that a Freeman 22 meeting a N.E.4,5 or 6 in the Estuary on a falling tide is not a boat he or I would wish to be on. Indeed a 33 would have a very hard time of it too.

 

[alb40]

The freeman 33's are suprisingly good sea boats, be worth taking her out at least to see how you yourself thinks she handles, and whether or not she would be suitable for more extended cruising grounds

 

[ianc1200]

Isn't there, as stated, two Freeman 33's on Thames with drop screens, one in the private flats marina between Going and Cleeve (or was some years ago) and the other a member of the UTYC who does go between Lechlade and the coast. Often used to see him in the last years we went upriver moored just immediately above Kings Lock, I think he was a friend of the lock keeper because he often was helping him out.

I thought the Freeman 33 seemed ideal to be able to such a range of cruising.

IanC

 

[byron]

The one at Cleeve never goes to sea. He is a member of both the UTMYC and the Oxford ditch. Don't know about another UTMYC one, maybe Mike T does, he's an ex-commode there.

 

[ianc1200]

Byron

What's the name of the Cleeve one? Maybe I'm getting the two mixed up.

IanC

 

[byron]

Drumbeat

 

[ianc1200]

Drumbeat was the one I was thinking of, spoke to him a few times over the years.

regards

IanC

 

[byron]

They are nice people and have a lot to do with the setting up and running of the Goring & Streatleigh Regatta which seems to be getting bigger every year.

 

[miket]

Thanks for the flattering words Byron!!
The 2 Freeman 33's are Drumbeat and The Four Ferretts (which I now own. The previous owner of The Ferretts did go to the Medway once and Drumbeat so far as I know has been to St Kat's but no further.
Both boats have Leyland 60 hp engines so 12 knots with a following a wind and the screens do not fold as it is not necessary.
I have no desire to take her down the estuary, as have done plenty of times before at rather higher speeds. It must be unbearably boring doing the journey to even the Medway at 8 knots!
Anyway we bought her to do the Thames above Oxford, not below Teddington.
So far absolutely delighted.