Freeman 30

[boatmaster]

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Does anyone out there know much about general Freeman cruiser history. I have been looking at Freeman 30's and someone said to me that they did a Shorter version which looks almost identical but actually measures 28'6". there are some subtle differences i'm told such as a different windscreen and when looking at the stern, the true Freman 30 has convex topsides yet the 28'6 one has convex or is it the other way around? anyway, i've been looking around and i think they are right, i think i saw one on the river at maidstone, the only way i would know is to measure it but the boat was under way. Just curious, does anyone know for sure?

 

[byron]

You will of course get some definitive answers here but the real expert on Freemans is of course Andrew at Sheridan Line - Moulsford.

 

[oldgit]

A bit more info on Freemans

 

[miket]

Depends ....

Byron is right. Sheridan (Freeman Marine at Moulsford, Oxon are the best source for all things Freeman.
It rather depends on what era you are looking.
1960's - aft cabin or centre cockpit. Both have timber super' sides and decks but GRP hull and roof. Generally a pair of For based diesels just shy of 100hp each. Max' speed around 10/12 knots.
1970's (early) - as per above extract fro MB&Y 25 years of motor boats. This was then stretched to become the 32 and gained quite a lot inside and got much quieter Ford Thornycroft engines (108hp each) in place of rough old Bedfords.
1980's - the coffee and cream more angular models arrived with again a 30, all of which were "sedan" style with engines varying from single small diesel to large twin diesel. Max' speed around 20knots.
I have owned a 60's aft cockpit 30, a 70's 32 and an 80's 33.

 

[Dave_Seager]

You can find most of the specifications on the Freeman Marine web site at http://www.freemancruisers.com/