Freeman 24

[coliholic]

Toying with the idea of buying one of these as a winter project and to take out the petrol engine and electrify it in some way. First question is does anybody know the weight of a Freeman 24 and would it be legal to tow behind a 5 series BMW with a towing limit of 2,200kg? I can borrow a big trailer and would only need to bring it about twelve miles and leave it in my back garden while I do the work.

Secondly anybody got any tips where I can get info on this type of project?

 

[Alpha22]

Ive seen them towed by land rovers and that must be marginal ... I towed my Freeman 22 with a Grand Cherrokee and it was a close to the limit. ..... I imagine it is way too heavy for a saloon car.

There is a yard on the Norfolk broads that has electrified a Freeman 26. There was an article in either MBM or PBO about 5 years ago - iirc. The things that I remember was limited range due to battery weight. They managed a days cruising on one charge.

 

[neale]

The freeman 24 is circa 2000kgs on its own. The trailer will add another 500kg, plus there is bound to be some kit aboard, and maybe some fluids, probably making the package nearer 2750kg, so I think almost certainly not legal.

Not sure if Aplha22 is referring to my feature in MBM. It was 10 years ago so possibly not, but it was all about a Freeman 25 that the owner converted to electric. If you can get hold of one, look at the July 04 issue.

 

[Alpha22]

It may well have been 10 years ago... wow ... where did those years go??

I think that boat is now around the Fens and possibly for sale.... solar panels on the roof???

 

[Flynnbarr]

The Electric Boat Association.
I have been out on a couple,30' and 60',they are extremely slow,and as said above v.limited in range.friend of mine was very 'into it',sold both of them as not very practical and he lost a lot of money.
But everyone needs a project

 

[Fire99]

As much as I hate the stuff, for a cruiser as its main propulsion, there is still no real decent substitute for diesel in my opinion..