*THE HULL TRUTH is the world's largest FREE network for the discussion of Boating & Fishing. Whether you're researching a new boat, or are a seasoned Captain, you'll find The Hull Truth Boating & Fishing Message Forum contains a wealth of information from Boaters and Sportfishermen around the world.
Welcome to the updated THT!
If you are having trouble signing in, please email feedback@thehulltruth.com with your username and we will help you. We thank you for your patience as we help you access the new site!
Random Quote: The bite is on at the floating coconut.
If the hull is as nice as weve been told, it could use some interior upgrades and would prolly be a winner in my book. not that my oppinion matters. one thing i would really like to see is some radiuses on the corners... not only are they stronger and reduce stress cracks, they look nicer.
The customer wanted to keep a clean as possible look. Coaming bolsters were on his list until he saw how clean the gunnels looked. We can go from mild to wild on the interior.
I was giving the seatrails and the fuel economy at 4000RPM had us doing 40MPH and burning 25-28 gallons a hour. I am not 100% positive but at 45000 and doing 45 I think we were burning 34-36 gallons a hour. ON all of the seatrails we had a heavy load on and we never had less than 200 gallons of fuel. I was so impressed I have to now write a check for a new set of engines.
Capt. Mike
I was giving the seatrails and the fuel economy at 4000RPM had us doing 40MPH and burning 25-28 gallons a hour. I am not 100% positive but at 45000 and doing 45 I think we were burning 34-36 gallons a hour. ON all of the seatrails we had a heavy load on and we never had less than 200 gallons of fuel. I was so impressed I have to now write a check for a new set of engines.
Capt. Mike
I think you need to throw some more aggressive props on that boat throwing up those RPMs...
On the test we were doing, he said we were doing right at 1.6mpg at cruise which is anywhere from 35-40mph/3500-4000rpm. We had 250 gallons 12 rods and 2 guys on board with a bunch of gear.
was a pleasure to meet the builder Billy and Capt. Mike Ellis (Relentless Sportfishing, Venice, LA who has hull#1) at the show on Sat.
Both guys were true gentlemen and both much younger than i expected. Billy, you must have started the boat bug early in life to already well versed and accomplished at making an incredible boat. My hats off to you for having the vision, competence, and diligence in creating the Freeman 33. I was hoping for a sea trial and my timing was rewarded with a fantastic trip thru a variety of mixed conditions although Mike wished for some bad weather to really show off the boat's abilities, but from what i experienced i would imagine it would do very well in the slop that would cause other boats to slow down or even stay tied up. Not a realistic condition of having some gear and loaded with 8-9 people aboard, and lots of fuel, but the boat with F350's was very impressive. F350's cruised at 40-45 mpg and topped out at around 60+. Rock solid, sure footed dry ride that felt more like a larger mono hull boat except when it turned (still turns like a cat unless you reduce the inside engine rpms then it'll lean in like a mono). Zero pounding or jarring but the hull cut thru the chop and waves at speed with ease and created a very nice feeling of confidence on the water. The F350's were a very nice surprise as they were extremely quiet at idle and also very nice sounding and quiet at cruise with what seemed like a lot of torque when the sticks were set down. I can see why Mike would consider swapping the Zuke 300 for the F350's. Overall the sea run was very impressive. I wish i'd taken some other boats at the marina on sea trials to compare but time was running out for me. I sea trialed a 25' WC DC a while back and was impressed, but the Freeman is in another class above that boat.
Congrats to the lucky couple that took delivery of hull # 3 that was at the show, they said they'd owned a bunch of other cats but the Freeman takes the cake.
Keep the nice boats coming Billy
I like the room in this boat, 6 guys can bottom fish easily. It is one of the better looking cats for sure. The extra rod holders on the side of the coffin box was a good idea. The owner will soon want combing bolsters all the way around as soon as he starts fishing.
Boat looks sharp but not a big fan of the step in the forward deck.....
Congrats and wish you luck..
The forward deck/casting platform is a necessary evil. The step up is actually the forward main structural bulkhead. The step up works really well. 23" of freeboard allows a guys to lock his knees in and cast with poppers or cast a net.
I though the same thing about the coming bolsters (lack of)...until I leaned in on the gunnels. It is so deep and where the normal cushions would be it's really tall.
It's tall and the gunnels in touching Your waist and has a lot of support/surface area. Unlike low gunnels that touch you mid thigh and have a lack of surface area.
The pressure on the legs without bolsters is a lot less than my boats 8 inch bolsters.
If you wanted them he could stick them on there too.
FREEMAN BOAT WORKS 2009
