Probably discussed before but - Single Prop Petrol or Twin diesel?

In my view the Freeman is infinitely better built than Birchwood. You may also consider a Seamaster. Not as well finished but a very good solid boat.
Seamaster 30 with twin small (50hp) diesels, has an aft sleeping cabin separate from the main saloon area and a lot more elbow room. Another Seamaster alternative is the 8 metre. Forward sleeping cabin and loo/ shower and aft galley and dinette. Small center cockpit.
Personally, I like the Freemans. 27 will feel bigger than the 24 (logical!) but look for a single diesel engine. Lots available. Probably better to find one in the best condition and not worry too much about single or twin. Twin is a bit noisy but can always use one at a time except for locks.
I am 6ft 2inch and with older boats you should just accept you will have to stoop!!
 
Hi Miket
thanks for that, stooping is OK, and obviously it won't be an issue
when sitting and lying down, which I like doing!
Didn't realise the 27 is also wider though which appeals.
Single engine diesel! didn't know they did them.

still a little concerned about the noise of diesels, is it that bad?
 
Modern soundproofing sheets will quieter those diesels down a bit. Yes they are noticeably louder(think old black cab outside in the middle of the night). I would still rather have a diesel and the 27 is a nice boat.
 
A single diesel with a bit of sound proofing and a water-lock silencer on the exhaust is probably not much louder than a petrol!!
With a larger older twin diesel you get a bit of vibration that phases as the engines drift in and out of sync. With a little practice you can 'match' them to reduce the effect. That can feel louder than the engine noise.

Having moved form a small petrol Freeman to a larger twin diesel and then an even larger twin diesel Freeman I don't personally feel that the difference was that much, but it was something I was prepared for as I wanted to go coastal.

One of the major deciding factors on an older boat is condition. With a Freeman the interior varnish finish and quality of original fittings and GRP are very important. As can be the quality of the upholstery and the hood. Although both of the latter can be replaced and updated, as a new boater it may come as a surprise that a hood for a 27 could come in at £1000+ and a full replacement set of foam and fabric interior could be even more than that.
 
just had a look at the seamsters and they look good but the inside space is
greater which is good but the cockpits seem small for sunny day cruising.

yes agree about getting a good condition Freeman but I see spare parts are readily available,
hoods, tables and seating.

any other make worth looking at? budget upto about £18000
 
Go for the 27 and not the 24 if you want to do weekends. Those 24's are cute but pretty small. The loo is hopeless and I had to stoop all through the cabin (I'm 6'1"). The 27 cockpit is great for two to lounge around and enough space for another chair. Most have showers in the loo which is a bonus. Watch out for leak by galley window/rear bulkhead-it seems to a common problem. Good space for the money and very easy to handle.

Re petrol and fridges-just get a new 12volt fridge. They use a lot less power than the old ones and are more efficient. I used to turn mine off overnight and it was still cold in the morning.

The Birchwood 25 is a great starter boat and will be cheap to run with the one engine. More open plan than the Freeman. Good cockpit, and the two side seats mean you get a seat each to lounge on and stretch your legs. Useful hardtop.

When you go to view take your time and imagine you are using the boat. Sit around and get a feel for how it works for you. Don't be hassled by a pushy broker. Ask them if you can have some time alone on the boat. Nothing worse than a broker who keeps talking at you and not listening.
 
doodles said:
but I see spare parts are readily available,
hoods, tables and seating.
Click to expand...


That's the nice thing about the Freeman, quite literally everything is available...granted, some of it at a price.

Good advice above on checking the windows though, the windows on the latter Freeman let them down a bit
 
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Freeman vs Birchwood 25:

The Freeman is a bit more charming appearance-wise, and has better parts availability due to Sheridan Marine who specialise (very well) in the marque, and with superb interiors in in good order.

Birchwood 25 is probably more spacious, the Hull was rather superior in terms of build quality, but check individual boats for condition of course, the interior is still very pleasant, but with lower gloss wood, which isn't always a bad thing as it's easier to maintain!!

Oily bits were much the same as smaller Freemans, so no real change there.

Propex heaters (Still sold as 'Heatsource') are great, using LPG which is easy to get, and using less battery than the Diesel units. As with the Petrol engines, as long as you maintain the fittings, safety is no issue.

With any Petrol engine, I would immediately get the fuel hoses replaced, and all the ignition consumables (Points, plugs, leads and cap) to minimise 'arcing' which would be a source of 'spark-ignition-kerboom' and ensure the boat has a bilge blower, which you turn on five minutes before starting the engine, and leave on for five minutes after you turn it off! Leave it on whilst in locks etc. It really does minimise the risks. Very few boats go bang with Petrol if maintained intelligently...

Freeman resale values are better than the B25, but that also means you can pick up a tidy one for less, and a tidy one should sell quickly enough. Reckon £12k for a nice Birchwood, but a nice Freeman can appear rather over-priced in pure money terms, despite the good resale market, which could change within a few years as people demand more modern boats!
 
On your budget, I prefer the Princess 32 at Walton. The wood in the Freeman looks very nice but the 60's pub-like button back draylon does it no favours. I binned mine for white vinyl and glossy black work tops and dragged it kicking and screaming into the new millennium :D. Happy hunting!
 
Really 'Actionmat' that looks abit daunting to me, I'm a beginner and that just looks too big
for a first boat, I started out looking for Freeman 24....thats 8ft longer!!
 
I'd agree with Actionmat the Princess 32 is a better boat in some ways, but it does have twin outdrives which aren't the best for a first timer to handle and will need more maintenance.
Stick with the shafties for now :)

But don't worry about a longer boat they are actually easier to handle as they are heavier and more stable.
 
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doodles said:
Very comprehensive 'no regrets' interesting stuff.......

The freemans I am going to see are at this broker..http://www.tingdeneboatsales.net/walton.html

the 27 on page1 and the 24 on page 2.......are the prices for those in the right 'ball park'



I know it's difficult to say without seeing them but roughly.
Click to expand...

That 27 has been for sale since at least last summer. Be prepared for the 'tired' interior and it looks like the cockpit seats might need upholstery very soon, along with the carpet, curtains etc. The water marks on the table could spell trouble for a leak or condensation. But assuming everything is working it seems to have all the kit you need ie holding tank, heating etc. That chrome bar in the front cabin is non standard so I would check that out. Perhaps the front deck needs support?

They are not selling that quickly compared to modern sports boats so I would go in at just under the £15k at stick to your guns. If the owners are leaving boating then go lower. They will be keen to move on.
 
Wow 'Cashbuyer'' you've got a keen eye spotting the watermark!

I'm getting good advise here thanks......I'm abit worried about your comment about the chrome bar holding up the deck though.

If I got it for under £15k and the interior needs re-doing, I suppose i would has a couple of grand to fit it out.

I don't know, would £2000 be enough for seat covers, curtains, carpets and new cockpit seats, oh and Table top.
probably would I would have thought
 
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