Freeman 33

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lhasa

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I have recently aquired a Freeman 33 that has been fitted with new smaller engines. They are 62hp. Freemans usually had 120 or 150hp. Anybody have any thoughts about going coastal ? I appreciate that it will only do 8 - 10 kts but am I likely to experience any handling problems ?
Any comments, about the boat, greatly appreciated.
 
Sorry to say, a Freeman was never really suitable for the sea. Mainly because it was designed before evolution got it right.

The smaller engines just add to the problem.

On the up side it is a very popular canal or river boat, with a big following on the Lancaster canal.

You can take it to sea, but pick protected waters and good days.
 
In the early 60's, my Dad used to go fishing on his pal's boat which was in many ways similar to a Freeman 32 classic, but traditionally built in timber. She had 4 bunks down below, 2 Perkins diesels (I think they were 4-107s - or perhaps their predecessors?), a rudimentary galley - and that was about it.

Yet they often went on voyages to the Grenadines, which are 100 miles away across open ocean, and were accustomed to bashing their way back home against the prevailing easterly F 4-5 trade winds. Even then they could probably manage about 7 or 8 knots quite happily.

Remember that horsepower on its own is meaningless - how it is applied to the boat is much more important.
 
Didn't the later models, as in Divemasters link, use the same hull as the Princess 32 ?

8 knots would be flat out with some following wind and/or tide. 10 knots, you'll need a gale up the bum. Our last boat was a Princess 32 with twin Peugeot diesels of similar power. With very careful attention to weather and tides it was OK to use it just offshore. Biggest danger would be if the weather turned nasty and you had to come back in against it, she could easily be down to 3 or 4 knots, maybe less.
 
hlb said:
Sorry to say, a Freeman was never really suitable for the sea. Mainly because it was designed before evolution got it right.

The smaller engines just add to the problem.

On the up side it is a very popular canal or river boat, with a big following on the Lancaster canal.

You can take it to sea, but pick protected waters and good days.
Click to expand...

hmm.. dont think the chap on the same marina as me will be happy to hear his boat is only good for canal work... seen as it as twin v10 twin turbo diesel's in it!!!!!! (freeman 41)
 
Engage brain and then speak

Don't mind HLB, he is just another of us "Grumpy old men"!!
Sure, they would not be in the same class as his old Princess 35 but that is just called evolution.
I cruised to Holland and France several times in my old Freeman 32 (2x Thornycroft 108hp) and was very impressed with her ability at sea but I didn't go out in anything much above F3/4, which really hasn't changed with larger and more seagoing boats since.
I have recently sold a Freeman 33 with 60 hp BMC 2.5 litre engines. Personally I would not take it to sea, but primarily because I don't have the time to travel at 8 knots and I don't see any more than that being a serious cruising speed. Also these engines are now 30 years old.
You are correct that most of the 33's had either twin 120hp or 150hp and would comfortably attain 20 knots, but quite a lot also had smaller engines, no doubt originally intended for rivers. At 11.5 ft beam, HLB's suggestion of canals, may be a challenge, but probably up his way they have some wider ones?
Super boat. Enjoy.
 
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