Billy Freeman was offering test rides on his 33’ center console today, and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity after reading all those build threads we’ve seen online. I thought I’d provide my thoughts as I was really impressed with the overall layout and performance of the boat. Before I go any further, this was my first time meeting Billy and am in no way affiliated with his company.
Exterior:
As many of you know, the original Freeman 33 was a cold molded vessel much like the one today but now employs a molded fiberglass hull. The newer fiberglass version has the same lines and functionality of the cold molded version but allows the company to build boats faster to keep up with demand. The clean lines of the exterior have already brought a lot of praise from many nay-saying monohull enthusiasts and with good reason. It’s a sharp looking boat.
Layout:
The interior would bring a smile to any hardcore fishing type. It’s simple but with a lot of thought put into it. Nice clean decks with a short step as you approach the bow, which in my opinion makes it easier to get items out of the anchor boxes with ease and also provides an easier step to get onto the bow platform. The storage abounds on this boat. Two hatches on the bow access the anchor hold which is large enough to hold your anchor, rope, chain, fenders, life jackets, and any other larger items with ease.
There’s under deck storage just forward of the console on each side that I could easily fit into with the hatch closed. Notches in the fore and aft face of these compartments allow storage for 4 rods each. In the cockpit, there’s bilge access for each sponson that roughly measures 2.5x3’ which is great if you ever have to change a pump. To make use of the large area in the bilge, Billy has placed a shelf over the forward section of the bilge compartment for additional storage. All the hatches have gaskets and gutters with drainage overboard so no worries about rain water accumulating in the holds.
In the transom, a large oval livewell is placed
