Freeman 33 with ford Sabre 80

[Dino]

Hi,
I'm in the market for a 6 berth cruiser for inland lake and river use. I had a boat nearly sorted last week but the survey was a disaster.
So now I'm looking at a Freeman 33 now. It's in okay condition being an ex-hire boat.
Do these Freeman 33's have a good reputation? Do they suffer from osmosis? I have heard they are very heavily built.
What about soft decks, delamination or other issues. Are the decks cored?
Are tere any other things to look for?

It has a single ford sabre 80hp engine. That looks in good nick. It's just been serviced and the injectors were done.
Are these engines any good?

I see there is good spare parts availability from Sheridan marine..

Any advice welcome.

 

[Latestarter1]

Hi,
I'm in the market for a 6 berth cruiser for inland lake and river use. I had a boat nearly sorted last week but the survey was a disaster.
So now I'm looking at a Freeman 33 now. It's in okay condition being an ex-hire boat.
Do these Freeman 33's have a good reputation? Do they suffer from osmosis? I have heard they are very heavily built.
What about soft decks, delamination or other issues. Are the decks cored?
Are tere any other things to look for?

It has a single ford sabre 80hp engine. That looks in good nick. It's just been serviced and the injectors were done.
Are these engines any good?

I see there is good spare parts availability from Sheridan marine..

Any advice welcome.

Osmosis, highly likely, but who cares. Do not think balsa core was used in those days

Fit out superb.

Ford Sabre 80 hp is old Dorset, rough old diamond but rock solid, bit smokey n start up but zero parts issues., Gearbox is likely to be Borg Warner but you need to be sure.

 

[sharpness]

Freeman 33 is a nice boat. Interior is nicely fitted out with lots of wood used. For your useage the single 80hp Ford will be ideal, and with it having a keel will handle nicely at low speeds.

Downsides are : Freemans are known to suffer from osmosis, so don't be surprised if it's found during a survey. With it being an ex-hire boat it will have had a much harder life than usual, so hopefully the asking price is reflected in this (also bear in mind with it being single engined, it should be much cheaper than its twin engine versions), and have a survey carried out to ensure no hidden issues i.e badly repaired hull damage etc.

If all checks out well, and price is right, then sounds like a nice boat which would be used in a perfect area for it.

 

[dombuckley]

Hello again Donie!

The decks have a foam core, so the usual leaks around stanchions are not of such concern. Just be careful, however, that any such leakage hasn't penetrated the top of the bulkheads: on the 33, the one at the forward end of the engine space can be particularly susceptible.

As with all Freemans, osmosis is practically a certainty, but seldom of structural significance (particularly on inland waters). If she is out of the water, give the keel a very careful look. Usually solid timber, encapsulated in GRP and bolted to the bottom of the hull: any damage to the GRP can cause water penetration to the timber, which then softens or warps. It's not unknown for such keels to be crushed by the weight of the boat when ashore.

Dominic

 

[volvopaul]

As said in another post, I know of two boats both with 150 sabres , one I've worked on the other owned by a friends father, if you need details send pm

 

[oldgit]

Vital that you check the hull for damage that WILL have been caused by years of abuse by hirers of boat.Many smaller boat hire firms hang on to craft long after their sink by date.They are then sold on to unsuspecting buyers who because the boats are cheap tend not to be too fussy in the survey dept.Boat then gets sold on in hurry when expensive problems appear.Without a doubt the worst heaps ever to cross my path were lying in Norfolk and ex hire boats,one of which,a Powles 35 consisted mainly of rust,split fibre glass and patches.The only reason it remained in one piece was probably due to the interior mould gluing it all together.The rust ball under floor proved to be the engine.
The broker described the boat to be in good condition

 

[Dino]

Thanks for the advice. They sound like a solid boat. The osmosis doesn't worry me at all. I've helped my dad do an osmosis job before. There are a few references to rotten wood in the 5 year old survey so that's a bit of a concern. I think most was addressed but ill have it surveyed if I go ahead with it anyway.
I remember these having fairly noisy exhausts so it'll need a muffler fitted. The bilges could do with a clean and paint.
Otherwise it looks fairly good.
Thanks

 

[Dino]

Right, the deal seems to be happening. I'm getting it surveyed soon and hopefully it'll be fine.

Does anyone have a link to a service or workshop manual for a Ford Sabre 80hp or and online info or parts suppliers?

Also, I will be looking to fit some stanchions along the side decks and fit a stainless steel wire. I've checked a few places and they seem expensive for stainless ones. Can anyone recommend a good value supplier.