Freeman 32 mk1

[Cruiser Malc]

Hi guys.
I'm considering buying a Freeman 32 mk1, always had a soft spot for these lovely cruisers, and was wondering if there are any points I should look out for. This one has the Thornycroft 180's. Thanks in advance. Malc

 

[prof pat pending]

Alpha22 will be along in a bit, he has a lovely 32mk1, his 3rd Freeman

 

[Alpha22]

Hi Malc,

A great choice, if I say so myself!!!!!

Theres not many differences between boats, but I'll try to give you heads up as to what you may come acosss...

Engine wise they generally have Ford Dover/Dorset based engines with Thorneycroft marinisation parts. These came in either 108hp or 120hp versions. Basically the same engine, just rated differently. The 120's are less common. In reality theres not much to choose between them. With good 4 blade props a 108 engined boat will make about 17knots (down hill with the wind behind) and a 120 engined boat could make 2 or 3 more. They will plane at 12 knots and cruise well at 14-15. There is an interesting insurance issue, many policies have exclusion clauses for boats with design speeds in excess of 17 knots so it can be a bonus to have the smaller engines. At tick over I get 3 knots, on slow rivers I often run on one engine without problems. It's much quieter too.
There were one or two factory specials made that had different engines. There are rumours of a twin V12, but I've never seen any hard evidence.

Accommodation wise there is two layouts. The difference is in the aft cabin. Either there will be a double bed across the aft end of the cabin. Where your head and feet are almost under the side decks. Or there will be two singles running fore and aft. You will also find a vanity unit and the smallest toilet compartment of any boat. Mine has been removed to make slightly more space and a wardrobe. There is not standing headroom, but you can put your trousers on if you stoop a little. (You can't on a Freeman 30!!!)
The main cabin is typical of any Freeman with a convertible dinette and V berth at the bow. There is a door to section off the V berth to provide a little privacy. Popular with kids as it makes a nice self contained den.

Most left the factory with an open backed hardtop with canvas sides, there are two versions, one much higher than the other. The taller one gives standing headroom at the helm, the lower one is the more popular, mine has sun roofs fitted over the seats and when standing with head through the roof a good view is possible. With the lower (more common) hardtop air draught is about 2.3 meters. The higher one has opening glass vents in the lower part of the window. A few have pram hood soft tops and can be great on a river on a sunny day. It reduces the engine noise too. They are not the quietest or most refined engines!!!!
Although built to sleep 6, we find when cruising with 4 adults, storage space is at a premium and during the day it can be hard work. 2 adults and 3 smallish kids would be easily doable.

These were built in the 1970's and are now quite old.... be realistic, there are going to be faults and things will go wrong, wear out and need fixing.... Many of these things will probably have been attender to over the years, but things to look out for......
Windows.... aluminium frames may rot if kept on salt water for extensive periods. They may leak where the frames meet the GRP, but can be rebuilt and sealed.
Engines.... old technology, as Ford based, many spares are available..... re-engining is simple as there is a strange transmission system. On the back of the gear box is a short automotive prop shaft with 2 universal joints. behind that is a thrust bearing and then the traditional prop shaft and stern gland. There can be no engine alignment problems. There is no thrust on the gearboxes and they seem to last forever.
Electrical systems were minimal when new, most have been successively "upgraded" by owners... expect some "challenges".....
Gas lockers were galvanised steel.... check the bottom isn't dropping out!
Deck fittings are chrome on bronze and bullet proof, even if they have lost their chrome over the years.

I love mine to bits, the interior is classic Freeman with lots of varnished veneer. It is a good boat at sea. A bit of an unpleasant ride in a force 6, but great at less. I've cruised the Norfolk and Suffolk coasts as well as the Gt Ouse system and the Norfolk Broads. She feels very safe and stable when compared to other cruisers of her size, I regularly single hand mine through DIY locks and at sea. A previous owner took her across to Holland on an MBM cruise.

If there is anything I haven't mentioned (sorry to go on!!) just shout!!

 

[Cruiser Malc]

Hi, and thanks.
Wow! I didn't expect so much. You certainly know these lovely boats.

When I was young, back in the early seventies, a friends parents had a Freeman 22 mk2 and I think that was when I first got the boating bug. In the early eighties, I had a couple of boats on The Thames and would always admire the graceful lines and obvious build quality of Freeman cruisers. In the mid nineties, I had a second foray into boating, this time on the Great Ouse, and bought one of the first Freeman 22 mk1's. Fitted with a ford side valve engine rated at 10hp, it was never going to win any races, but it was reliable and made us proud. I was then totally hooked on Freemans.

A couple of years ago, I got back into boating for the third time, hoping to pick up a Freeman 30 or 32 but I couldn't find the right combination of condition and price. So I ended up with a Princess 32, which is a lovely boat in fabulous condition, a real credit to its previous owner and we have loved cruising her on the Rivers Trent and Soar (where she is well known and draws much admiration).

I have seen a couple of Freeman 32's for sale and my brother is checking one of them out, as it is close to where he lives. The main concerns that I have are the air draft, as Nottingham cut on the River Trent has a couple of very low bridges, general storage space (which is not a problem on the Princess), and reliability of those old engines. I won't be doing much sea cruising, so the engines will not tend to get stressed, but there are a couple of areas that I'll be able to open them up to clear their throats!

Thanks again for your information, it certainly hasn't put me off. I'll keep progress in this thread to let you know how things are going.

Cheers Malc