Ivory Gem

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Cashbuyer

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I see Ivory Gem is for sale. My heart skipped a beat as I remember her when she was new and saw her plenty of times upriver near near Moulsford. Always impressive and a classy lady. Such a lot of boat for the money. Hope she finds a good home.
 
I still have the dinghy built for Ivory Gem in my barn. How much is John asking for her? She has been maintained regardless of cost and should be in pretty fair nick. She had the same owner in one guise or another since she was built in 1972.
 
byron said:
I still have the dinghy built for Ivory Gem in my barn. How much is John asking for her? She has been maintained regardless of cost and should be in pretty fair nick. She had the same owner in one guise or another since she was built in 1972.
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Thames Brokerage are offering Ivory Gem. They might like the dinghy to offer to a new buyer.
 
A lot of GRP, albeit Osmosis-ridden, for the price of a modest Shetland with outboard!!

Tricky, being inside helm only, must be miserable on a hot day having to helm her, but still a bargain, even if one factors in £8k worth of Osmosis treatment. I suspect early Freemans were not very good in terms of hull quality, so it could be worse!? (Mind you, 40+ years so far!!)
 
No Regrets said:
A lot of GRP, albeit Osmosis-ridden, for the price of a modest Shetland with outboard!!

Tricky, being inside helm only, must be miserable on a hot day having to helm her, but still a bargain, even if one factors in £8k worth of Osmosis treatment. I suspect early Freemans were not very good in terms of hull quality, so it could be worse!? (Mind you, 40+ years so far!!)
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Ivory Gem was the 1972 Earls Court Show Boat. The owner was also a personal friend of the Freeman family the old man being a Godfather to John & Margaret's daughter. I would suggest that a lot of extra effort went into that boat. John Blake knows her intimately, every nut bolt and screw.
BTW. Strangely she isn't hot on a hot day the two doors provide excellent through draughts.
 
The early Freemans were prone to osmosis,also spongy decks,well known in the 80's,we are now 30 years down the track.
And yes boat prices are low and are only gonna go one way:( Princess 37 on ebay 19k!
 
I know osmosis has been done to death on this forum and I know that Freeman's are apparently rather prone to some extent, but probably due to age. But I think unfortunately it's becoming a bit of an urban myth. Plenty of Freeman's on the water which haven't sunk and you can't tell me they have all had osmosis treatment. I bet Ivory Gem has plenty of very useable years left before she needs some attention if at all. Even so, at that price you could do some work now, if needed, and still be in pocket.
 
Yep.30 years down the track and they are all still floating,trundling about and giving good service.
Beautiful interiors,simple mechanics.
Will the same be said of Sealines,Bayliners etc when they are 40+ years old.
 
Cashbuyer said:
I know osmosis has been done to death on this forum and I know that Freeman's are apparently rather prone to some extent, but probably due to age. But I think unfortunately it's becoming a bit of an urban myth. Plenty of Freeman's on the water which haven't sunk and you can't tell me they have all had osmosis treatment. I bet Ivory Gem has plenty of very useable years left before she needs some attention if at all. Even so, at that price you could do some work now, if needed, and still be in pocket.
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Everything you say is very sensible and valid. BUT it's still £13K for that boat. How many people that have thousands to spend on boating will choose to spend it on a 40 year old river caravan?
 
Mirror Painter said:
Everything you say is very sensible and valid. BUT it's still £13K for that boat. How many people that have thousands to spend on boating will choose to spend it on a 40 year old river caravan?
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The sort of person who'd pay twice that for a dated old lump like this. It's a matter of taste and I know which one I'd rather have.
View attachment 48363
 
Flynnbarr said:
Yep.30 years down the track and they are all still floating,trundling about and giving good service.
Beautiful interiors,simple mechanics.
Will the same be said of Sealines,Bayliners etc when they are 40+ years old.
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Of course Bayliners can be up to 58 years old as the company was formed in 1957, the same year as Freeman. I am sure that if you speak to those who own earlier Bayliners that they describe them in a similar way.
 
I had a good look inside a new Bayliner Ciera at the Boat show today, it was beautifully made (In Poland!) and trimmed.

£80k with two fridges, Hobs and 4 decent berths, I can't see anything more worthwhile at the price, or anywhere close to it to be honest.
 
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