Freeman 32 suitable for Thames?

Mrnotming

Mrnotming

Well-Known Member
Joined
1 Mar 2005
Messages
1,626
Location
Dublin
Visit site
My son is thinking of buying a boat (mad as a hatter obviously!) for non-tidal use. Seems keen on a Freeman 32.I did a bit of canal stuff many years ago and enjoyed having a single engine and shaft. Would a twin engine setup be undesirable on the Thames.I expect it is nowhere near as narrow as still-water canals.What do readers think?
Also is there a website devoted to Freeman craft which I could use to get more info?
Expect some engines were more reliable than others etc. Were all boats yard finished or were there DIY versions as well?
Thanks for any help!
 
Thanks Ramage and Byron,

He did mention Teddington and Richmond in passing, but I think he needs a mooring with an easy commute from say Clapham Junction?Thanks for the advice, Are there problems with availability of berths? Engines seem to include Ford Watemota., Bedfords, Thorneycrofts,and maybe Perkins.Have heard Watamota is the softest? I know the BMC based motors are good, but can you still get bits? Any Thoughts guys (n Girls)
 
I don't think Freeman fitted any Perkins or BMC engines to their 32s, if you meant the Thorneycroft option, then this is a 6 cylinder Ford, same engine as Watermota, also think Bedfords were only fitted to 30s not 32s.
 
capsco said:
I don't think Freeman fitted any Perkins or BMC engines to their 32s, if you meant the Thorneycroft option, then this is a 6 cylinder Ford, same engine as Watermota, also think Bedfords were only fitted to 30s not 32s.
Click to expand...

Anything you will ever need for a Freeman or its engines will be available from the web address Ramage gave you. they are the kiddies when it comes to Freemans, They own all rights and manufacture those parts unavailable. It is well worth a visit there as it is an Alladins cave and what you can't see he produces from nowhere. Cheap he isn't knowledgeable he is. Engine parts are readily available.
In short he couldn't make a wiser choice than a Freeman. They are classified as the first plastic classic. Look after it and he will make a profit at best and lose no money at worse. Moorings! They are available up and down the non tidal Thames. I guess for Clapham a mooring in the general lower end would be best. Mike Gates of MDL Marinas will probably read this and he will be able to offer a choice of berths.
 
Whilst none of the engines were unreliable or short lived, they are all going to be over a quarter of a century old, and there will be some right old Dogs in some of the less well looked after examples!

Best thing is to buy a tidy one, and get a good marine engineer (Such as Terry at Bray) to give them a good once over to prevent premature failure due to oil sludge or cooling problems. Most Boat engines are killed thus, rather than actually wearing out!

Same goes for the rest of the Boat! While most scrub up very well, watch out for damaging Water leaks with that lovely Wood interior, and be prepared to spend a few £££'s keeping one in good order.

They will last another few decades and offer good service if you do! Same goes for Brooms, Birchwoods, Seamasters etc...
 
Sports Boats are Rubbish on the Thames. Period.

Page from the excellent MBM publication 25 years of Motor cruisers.
freeman32.jpg


Loads of similar classic tough stable boats of this era around and every single one of them suited to the job of providing long term economical fun above Teddington especially getting around boat while on the move and in and out of locks..

All of the lightweight fragile eggshell light flavour of the month psuedo "Sportsboats ",which, like a bad dose of the flu,plague the upper navigation, have retreated to the Thames simply because they are even more useless down on the windy wavy saltwater bit .:)
 
Last edited:
Great Freeman info!

Many thanks to those already thanked and also to Capsco, No Regrets, and Old Git for the useful steer on the Freeman 32.
Kinda like the lines of the Original model myself, guess a good canopy makes them fairly snug? The builder Reg Freeman certainly had an eye for quality in the woodwork, something hard to get outside a Storebro Royal Cruiser these days?
What about Fjiord cruisers, anybody got one?
 
One more thing!

Is there an Association of Thames waterway users, sort of Inland Waterways Association to look after boaters interests?

Good sailing and boating to all!
 
There is the Association of Thames Yacht Clubs to which most of the Thames motor boat clubs belong.

There are also the River Users Groups or RUGs which are organised by the Environment Agency. Representation is again mostly thorugh clubs.

Once you know where the boat will be moored it would be worthwhile finding outwhich are the local clubs.
 
paulclan said:
Thanks Ramage and Byron,

He did mention Teddington and Richmond in passing, but I think he needs a mooring with an easy commute from say Clapham Junction?Thanks for the advice, Are there problems with availability of berths? Engines seem to include Ford Watemota., Bedfords, Thorneycrofts,and maybe Perkins.Have heard Watamota is the softest? I know the BMC based motors are good, but can you still get bits? Any Thoughts guys (n Girls)
Click to expand...

Clapham Junction to Teddington takes less than 30 minutes on South West Trains (Richmond is on the same loop line, as is Kingston).

I have BMC 2.5 diesels in my Birchwood 33. These engines (which are sometimes badged as Thorneycrofts) were originally used in the London Taxi. Spares are not a problem.
 
oldgit said:
Page from the excellent MBM publication 25 years of Motor cruisers.
freeman32.jpg
Click to expand...

Just been reminiscing with the guy standing on the back deck in the photo who is an old friend and I am still in contact with on Facebook.

What is the name of the boat your son is looking at????

I owned a F32 exactly the same as in the photo (called Teuton which seemed fitting based on the nationality of my father) and owned it on the Thames for three years as well as a couple of trips to Holland on it with my friend in his very pea green boat.

Really good all rounder and I still miss it, had the Thorneycroft 108s and it would pull an easy 16knots.

As others have said you will always sell it again very easily. I even had folks come up to me and offer to buy it at locks.
 
The Freeman shown is in fact "Ivory Gem" which belonged to Margaret Weeks who died a few days ago. it was built for her and appeared in two Earls Court Boat Shows. John Weeks owns the boat now and it resides at the Upper Thames Motor Yacht Club.
Same owner since 1972 and maintained regardless of expense. I have driven her on many an occasion and she is a joy to handle, almost as manoeuvrable as a Broom 35 European.
 
>>>
What about Fjiord cruisers, anybody got one
>>>
Used to and loved her. Not as big as the F32 and mine was as single engined Fjord 27. Twins happened in some models but comparatively rare. Were someone to offer me the 37 at a price I could afford I'd be interested.

Galley in the cockpit meant that cooking underway was not viable.
 
Osmosis

Rather surprised that no one has mentioned it yet.
That era of Freeman is very prone to Osmosis, possibly enhanced as many spent most of their life in fresh water. Do have the cost deducted from the asking price because when you come to sell your buyer will.
As with many boats, don't accept the asking prices. I sold my immaculate 33 for £33k in the end and the 32 I would think should now realise about £20k (nearer £30k for closed wheelhouse version).
I have owned a 32 (1971 open cockpit) and 33 (coffee and cream) and both had it. Mine were both treated at around £7k now (professional job).
The Thornycroft engine was a Ford based 6 cylinder, I believe sharing much with JCB's of the era. Pretty solid and quite smooth.
I would steer clear of the Bedford engines, although I think they were only fitted to the F30. They were very rough running.
Loke Apollo, our 32 took us to Holland and the Essex/ Suffolk coast and was a joy to be in, cruising around 14 to 16 kts.
 
freeman 32

While the Freeman is a great classic,what about the Ocean 30?these boats are great for river use,as long as you go for a well kept private model,and keep away from ex hire boats[most of these would have had a lot of use and were mostly single engines] I have owned a 1972 mk 1 fitted out by Herbert Woods,with twin OM636 42 hp Mercedes engines[very economical] for the past 6 years find it a doddle to handle,no problem with parts. they also hold their price!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Other threads that may be of interest

Baggywrinkle
Test run of the Lithium system that has been sitting in my cellar for most of this year.
Replies
5
Views
311
claymore
claymore

Share this page

Top