I got a call Friday night from Scott letting me know that he and Billy were going to take the Billy’s 37VH and a new 34VH out for some pics Saturday (1/10). I looked at the weather and literally said, “I’ll be there, BUT you do realize that it’s going to be blowing 25+ and it’ll be 35 degrees, right?”
What better time to go see what the boats would do?
I met them in Mt. Pleasant at 11:30, and Scott and I rode out on the 37. This was the first time I had been on the 37 without Billy on board. He was in the 34VH with another customer whose build is about to start.
I knew the tide was heading out of Charleston Harbor against all that wind, and this would mean the mouth of the jetties would be impassible. I asked if we were going to cut out of one of the holes near the beach.
“Nope. You’re going to see what these mofo’s can do today boy.”
I was running the 37VH during this, remember, with no prior experience with driving it. I was a little bit on edge. We got near the slop, and Billy told me to put the tabs down and he would just do all he could do in the 34VH and we’d see what she’d do.
I could not believe how flat the 34VH looked, and it was keeping up with me! Scott then told me I was holding back. I didn’t want to push that hard because stuff was loose in the cockpit of the 37VH from the last time Billy had gone fishing and I didn’t want to be replacing anything that flew out.
So we’re rapidly approaching where it’s truly nasty stuff, and Billy and the 34VH starts walking away from me. Scott makes a comment about letting the 37VH have what she wants, and I bury the tabs and pin her down. Before I can look down at the tab indicators and start trimming engines we are in the nasty stuff and we are running 50mph. At that time, Scott is shooting pics of the 34VH eating it up as we are coming up on her. We got a little ahead of them, and I pulled back to around 35, and the 34 is still rolling! This is st
These boats are built and designed so well, I really admire the work that Freeman Boat Works does. Their slogan should be designed by dreamers built by professionals. Not that I’m in the market or going to be anytime soon (wish I was) its just curiosity; about how much does the 34 total out price wise fully loaded? Do you know if they have any plans of making any models smaller than the 29?
I had today off and was watching Into the Blue on the TV and there was a Freeman in the slip right next to them in the Venice Marina. I thought it was pretty cool to see, some nice advertising for them!
Phin,
Thank you for the extremely informative and detailed description of the boats and their differences. Both look insane and that 34 will be the only boat I consider if I have the $$ and business stability down the road. Thanks for the post and boat report
Now that makes me want to sell my house and make a bad long term investment. One hell of a boat right there. It’s nice to see a first class rig like that made right here in Charleston.
