After a WHOLE lot of reading, phone conversations, internet discussions, youtube watching, I got the invite from Billy, the owner of Freeman boat works to fish his cat. Well the invite came 3 weeks ago. Long before any weather forecasts were available or sea conditions would be known. I jumped all over the opportunity and I figured I would just be tagging along on one of his trips. Nope he told me to bring the rods, gps numbers, and crew. Wanted me to fish the boat my way so I could see how the boat would fit my needs. This was not going to be some sales pitch in which he picked some smooth day to run some calculated direction to show off his product with a bunch of no fishing paid advertising riders. No this was going to be all about hard core fishing. With hardly ANY effort I had a crew of 5 of the better bottom fisherman I know. 2 cat owners, another contender owner and a Key West owner.
About Wednesday of this past week the forecast starts coming into clarity. It was going to be sporty. I called Billy to reschedule for a calmer weekend but asked “are you scared of something?” This coming from a guy wanting to show off his product. “Billy, we are talking 15 to 20 knots seas 4 to 7 feet!” “So? You want to see how my boat rides, lets go!” “…okay we will be there I guess…” Started getting phone calls and texts about going on a forecast like that. Thoughts of sea sickness, back pain, and sea spray are rolling through my mind. But I would not be the guy to back out. None of my regulars were taking there 30 plus foot boats yesterday.
Met Bully along with, Courtland, FatCat, Pallet, and Akey on the dock and listened to the wind howl as we loaded everything. First thing to jump out was how BIG this boat is. TONS and TONS of USABLE fishing room. Some sweet electronics too.
Decided to bottom fish due to the super slow dolphin bite. Pl
Where do you guys put the beanbags or do you just move around them? That is the only seating except at the helm correct?
There are the two forward faceing helm seats and 2 seats behind the helm facing the stern. I also understand that he offers a cushioned coffin box.
We kept the bean bags on the bow while fishing and moved them to the back for riding. I personally liked the no nonsense fishing approach. But there are TONS of options to add a more family friendly layout.
Sorry bout the photobucket video. I will add them to youtube this evening.
Set the trap boys, we going to pass through them again!!
Where do you guys put the beanbags or do you just move around them? That is the only seating except at the helm correct?
There are the two forward faceing helm seats and 2 seats behind the helm facing the stern. I also understand that he offers a cushioned coffin box.
We kept the bean bags on the bow while fishing and moved them to the back for riding. I personally liked the no nonsense fishing approach. But there are TONS of options to add a more family friendly layout.
Sorry bout the photobucket video. I will add them to youtube this evening.
Set the trap boys, we going to pass through them again!!
Thanks, that would be cool. I am down the no nonsense fishing approach but the wife not so much. She could care less about fishing. She just likes to lounge in comfort, have a glass of wine and chill with my son (who by the way is all over the place).
Where do you guys put the beanbags or do you just move around them? That is the only seating except at the helm correct?
The key to this boat is obviously the hull design and available power. As Pallet said, it was like having 2 race cars strapped to the back of the boat, unreal power and torque.
You could “customize” the hull to add any seating configuration you could afford. What the wife will love is the tank like feel at rest, and the nimble, soft ride at speed.
Not really sure. Bully will chime in on this. I will say every time I looked at the fuel flow gauge we were in the 1.1 to 1.3mpg range. 6 people, rough seas, FULL load of fishing gear and ice. My Contender with 200 less hp gets 1.3 to 1.6 and don’t get me wrong i LOVE my boat but this thing is in another league. To be honest from a running standpoint it is not even a close comparison.
Yesterday we ended the day at 1.1mpg key on key off. We spent 4 hours with the engines idling in gear burning 1.6gph not going any where, so in reality we got 1.2mpg. This is typical for a days fishing running 40mph. 1.4mpg can be achieved, but you have to be somewhat conservative and run around 35mph or so in average to calm seas.
So in other words, you could run to the GTH and back on 130 gallons or so.
What’s the pricetag on that boat as rigged? I like fast boats and loved the Fountains for that reason (along with the great fuel economy), but I want something more comfortable on the ocean. We’ve been looking at older 48’s and 52’s, but with fuel being so expensive on the docks these days and the economy still not looking wonderful, I don’t like the idea of burning 350 gallons per day. This boat looks like something worth strongly considering among the other options because it appears to combine speed, economy, and comfortable ride, per the raving reports on it, but I haven’t confirmed for myself by riding on one yet.
Gotcha Covered,
Lee Strickland
Strickland Marine Insurance Agency, Inc. https://stricklandmarine.net
843-795-1000 / 800-446-1862
What’s the pricetag on that boat as rigged? I like fast boats and loved the Fountains for that reason (along with the great fuel economy), but I want something more comfortable on the ocean. We’ve been looking at older 48’s and 52’s, but with fuel being so expensive on the docks these days and the economy still not looking wonderful, I don’t like the idea of burning 350 gallons per day. This boat looks like something worth strongly considering among the other options because it appears to combine speed, economy, and comfortable ride, per the raving reports on it, but I haven’t confirmed for myself by riding on one yet.
Gotcha Covered,
Lee Strickland
Strickland Marine Insurance Agency, Inc. https://stricklandmarine.net
843-795-1000 / 800-446-1862
Lee, call Billy! This boat is up your alley. Has gray motors on it too. Let me know when you place the order. I want to sit in on the build conversation cause I know you will trick it out!
Set the trap boys, we going to pass through them again!!
What’s the pricetag on that boat as rigged? I like fast boats and loved the Fountains for that reason (along with the great fuel economy), but I want something more comfortable on the ocean. We’ve been looking at older 48’s and 52’s, but with fuel being so expensive on the docks these days and the economy still not looking wonderful, I don’t like the idea of burning 350 gallons per day. This boat looks like something worth strongly considering among the other options because it appears to combine speed, economy, and comfortable ride, per the raving reports on it, but I haven’t confirmed for myself by riding on one yet.
Gotcha Covered,
Lee Strickland
Strickland Marine Insurance Agency, Inc. https://stricklandmarine.net
843-795-1000 / 800-446-1862
What’s the pricetag on that boat as rigged? I like fast boats and loved the Fountains for that reason (along with the great fuel economy), but I want something more comfortable on the ocean. We’ve been looking at older 48’s and 52’s, but with fuel being so expensive on the docks these days and the economy still not looking wonderful, I don’t like the idea of burning 350 gallons per day. This boat looks like something worth strongly considering among the other options because it appears to combine speed, economy, and comfortable ride, per the raving reports on it, but I haven’t confirmed for myself by riding on one yet.
Gotcha Covered,
Lee Strickland
Strickland Marine Insurance Agency, Inc. https://stricklandmarine.net
843-795-1000 / 800-446-1862
Lee, call Billy! This boat is up your alley. Has gray motors on it too. Let me know when you place the order. I want to sit in on the build conversation cause I know you will trick it out!
Set the trap boys, we going to pass through them again!!
I figured Lee would slap a pair of Verado 350 SCI’s or a pair of the Seven Marine engines (when and if they come out) on the back. He did say he likes to go fast.
Well, I can officially give this boat the speed-freak stamp of approval. The ocean was rather calm, but the boat performed admirably for what ocean we did have, and the top end was over 60 MPH in the harbor, coming close to that of a 31 Fountain, which is an accomplishment on such a good-riding 33-foot cat–especially on a hot summer day. I’m hoping to get another chance to ride on this vessel in rougher seas in the near future to see what she can do with a wilder ocean. The fit and finish on this boat also deserve mention. It’s clean, efficient, and amply appointed as a no-nonsense fishing boat, but without sacrificing sex appeal and aesthetic value. It’s very pleasing to the eye, and the fit and finish foster impressions of quality. Solid, beautiful, Fountain-fast, nice-riding–I’m glad to have this boat being manufactured right here on Jim Isle. Thanks for the ride, Billy. Please call me when you’re going out on a nastier day in the near future. I intend to make a visit to the manufacturing facility sometime soon.
Gotcha Covered,
Lee Strickland
Strickland Marine Insurance Agency, Inc. https://stricklandmarine.net
843-795-1000 / 800-446-1862
Well, I can officially give this boat the speed-freak stamp of approval. The ocean was rather calm, but the boat performed admirably for what ocean we did have, and the top end was over 60 MPH in the harbor, coming close to that of a 31 Fountain, which is an accomplishment on such a good-riding 33-foot cat–especially on a hot summer day. I’m hoping to get another chance to ride on this vessel in rougher seas in the near future to see what she can do with a wilder ocean. The fit and finish on this boat also deserve mention. It’s clean, efficient, and amply appointed as a no-nonsense fishing boat, but without sacrificing sex appeal and aesthetic value. It’s very pleasing to the eye, and the fit and finish foster impressions of quality. Solid, beautiful, Fountain-fast, nice-riding–I’m glad to have this boat being manufactured right here on Jim Isle. Thanks for the ride, Billy. Please call me when you’re going out on a nastier day in the near future. I intend to make a visit to the manufacturing facility sometime soon.
Gotcha Covered,
Lee Strickland
Strickland Marine Insurance Agency, Inc. https://stricklandmarine.net
843-795-1000 / 800-446-1862
Yea, yea, yea, I already knew all that.
The QUESTION is what color are you getting?
What electronics are you going with?
Personally I would go with the 15inch displays and the open array.
Get him to put a raised area and a big cushion on the bow for the ladies to ride on.
What are you going to name it?
You are setting the standard for what all the Charleston Freemans will be built around.
What day do you are you taking delivery. I will bring my bean bag and fishing rod.
Let me know when you place the order. I want to sit in on the build conversation cause I know you will trick it out!