Freeman 33 The Ulitimate Boat

tuna26 · 01-16-2008, 12:51 PM

Here is a post about my new Freeman 33. I don't think that there are alot of cat boats on the east coast but this boat would make a great canyon and striper boat. I haven't ran to many trips on it so the numbers should get a little better but right now they are pretty good.
After a long wait I recieved hull #1 on Dec. 22nd. What a incredible boat I ran the boat uncompleted this summer and had to own one. In the meantime I ran everything else out there and could not find a boat that had all of everything I wanted. But that is easy to do when the boat builder is totaly custom. Due to weather I have only ran three trips on her so I am still getting things figured out. But the performance I have right now is real good. And should get better as I learn how to better run her. But on the first trip which was about 160NM roud trip I used 95 gallons the engines were turned on at 5:30 and shut off at 5:00 which comes out to I think in the 1.6 mile per gallon range. The conditions was 2-3 with about a 15kt wind I was able to run 36kts on the way out and everywhere offshore at 27-33kts and I trolled the rest of the time at 7.5kts. I even had a guy go to sleep in the bow on a couple of beanbags. Now it was only 2-3 but that says alot about the ride. The next two days were pretty rough with it being 4-6 and then 3-5 the second day. I was able to make good time on the way out 25kts or so but coming home with them on the chin was a different story I average about 18kts or so. I used to think that cats where only for the gulf but after running this boat I think a Freeman would be a perfect south Florida boat. It would really shine as a Bahama's boat with the speed and fuel burn. No more getting stuck because the stream is to rough.
I have the boat layed out like a Florida tourament/swordfish boat. Since that style matches my charter routine. The only different touch is I have the leaning post/livewell tied into the t-top for more rod storage. I have the traditional 15 degree rod holders going along the gunnels facing out and three per side for trolling. I had Rupp Top Gun Z-30's mounted on the top with 18' poles. Plus there are four more 15 degree rodholders along the transom for whatever. The livewell at 75 gallons is a little big for what I do but it should keep plenty the threadfin herring alive this summer. I have 12 volt plugs under the gunnels for electric reels for kite,deepdrop or swordfishing. and for elecronics I have two Navnet VX2's with a 6K open array and a 1K tilted element thru hull transducer. I didn't go crazy with electronics I just got what I need. The best two things I had installed was the JL Audio stero system and the Seastar power assited steering. With that you steer the boat with your mind and not your arms. I will never own a boat without it. And for power I have twin 300 Suzuki's the electronic throttles take a little time to get used to but when you do they are nice. I really think this boat will make a big impact even with the die hard mono hull fans. Now here are a few pictures of the new Relentless

Here is a console shot showing the space for electronics

This shot shows the coffin style fishbox which drains thru the hull. No macerator pumps are very good. This box is 6'X3'x31" and makes a 80lb whaoo look like a snake king

This is the custom T-top with plenty of rod storage so I don't have to make a run to the grounds with rods in the gunnels.

here is a shot of the big open bow for throwing topwater lures to the tuna on overnighters and day tuna trips.

Here she is cleaned up and waiting for tomorrow.
This is a cold molded boat and the build of it can be checked out at www.freemanboatworks.com It is definately worth a trip up here to fish on her.
Capt. Mike
__________________
Relentless Sportfishing Charters
Venice La.

budddavid · 01-16-2008, 03:03 PM

That is the best looking cat I have seen, congrats and it's great that you are happy with her. Do you experience any hull slap at trolling speeds with it?

stockweiser · 01-16-2008, 03:23 PM

Nice, I fish on a Glacier Bay and love the ride of a cat. Thanks for the info.

tuna26 · 01-16-2008, 03:24 PM

I have only trolled with the boat on three occassions for wahoo. But I have not experienced any hull slap to speak of. The conditions were from >2 to <5 going both with it and against it. This because of the round and very deep tunnel. I can say that on a drift or at anchor she is rock steady. The almost 11' beam sure is nice. For the way we fish down here it is the perfect boat. From what I know about the fishing you guys do it would also work very well for you. I can't be pleased more with this boat.
Capt. Mike

Wolakrab · 01-16-2008, 04:52 PM

I am not a cat fan, but I love this boat. The builder is in Mt. Pleasant, SC...I hope to make it down to see some of the progress on Hull #2.

Gut Wrench · 01-16-2008, 06:43 PM

hull #2 is scheduled for turning tomorrow...

reel fishy · 01-16-2008, 06:48 PM

They look a lot like Calcutta Catamarans. Calcutta has been building boats around here for years. They run real well in the Gulf of Mexico chop, but you get the bump and vibration when trolling. You sacrafice something to make another thing better. Good luck with your boat and bring on the fish pics!

flatbottom · 01-16-2008, 09:27 PM

........

fishfighter · 01-16-2008, 11:52 PM

Capt.Mike,I will be down in the next week or two and hope to catch up with you to check her out.Dam fine lady you have there.

RiffRaff · 01-18-2008, 08:58 AM

Helped flip hull #2 last night along with about 40 other guys, hopefully Billy (the builder) will chime in on this site with some updates and pics. He has a ton of local support for the boat and I believe it is a winner.

01-16-2008, 04:52 PM	#5
Wolakrab Master Baiter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 49 Credits: 1,191.8 Boat: 1988 Black Watch Express Home Port: Georgetown, SC Occupation: Just another lying salesman....	I am not a cat fan, but I love this boat. The builder is in Mt. Pleasant, SC...I hope to make it down to see some of the progress on Hull #2. __________________

01-16-2008, 06:43 PM	#6
Gut Wrench Anthony's Ark is a blowboater Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: easley s.c. Posts: 258 Credits: 1,424.1 Boat: 268 key west(POS) Home Port: charleston s.c. Best Catch: state record cubera snapper 118lbs Occupation: slowly going broke toolman	hull #2 is scheduled for turning tomorrow... __________________ Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up and loudly proclaiming, "WOW! What a ride!"

01-16-2008, 06:48 PM	#7
reel fishy Stop staring at my Avatar. Join Date: May 2006 Location: St. Petersburg, Florida and Beyond Posts: 415 Credits: 1,256.2 Boat: Yours or Mine? Home Port: Florida Best Catch: Fresh fish for dinner! Occupation: Pink Snapper Snatcher	They look a lot like Calcutta Catamarans. Calcutta has been building boats around here for years. They run real well in the Gulf of Mexico chop, but you get the bump and vibration when trolling. You sacrafice something to make another thing better. Good luck with your boat and bring on the fish pics! __________________ Capt. Adam M. For-Hire Cockpit or Bridge Man Backcountry to Bluewater

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01-16-2008, 12:51 PM	#1
tuna26 I Need More Posts Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 9 Credits: 1,190.1	Freeman 33 The Ulitimate Boat Here is a post about my new Freeman 33. I don't think that there are alot of cat boats on the east coast but this boat would make a great canyon and striper boat. I haven't ran to many trips on it so the numbers should get a little better but right now they are pretty good. After a long wait I recieved hull #1 on Dec. 22nd. What a incredible boat I ran the boat uncompleted this summer and had to own one. In the meantime I ran everything else out there and could not find a boat that had all of everything I wanted. But that is easy to do when the boat builder is totaly custom. Due to weather I have only ran three trips on her so I am still getting things figured out. But the performance I have right now is real good. And should get better as I learn how to better run her. But on the first trip which was about 160NM roud trip I used 95 gallons the engines were turned on at 5:30 and shut off at 5:00 which comes out to I think in the 1.6 mile per gallon range. The conditions was 2-3 with about a 15kt wind I was able to run 36kts on the way out and everywhere offshore at 27-33kts and I trolled the rest of the time at 7.5kts. I even had a guy go to sleep in the bow on a couple of beanbags. Now it was only 2-3 but that says alot about the ride. The next two days were pretty rough with it being 4-6 and then 3-5 the second day. I was able to make good time on the way out 25kts or so but coming home with them on the chin was a different story I average about 18kts or so. I used to think that cats where only for the gulf but after running this boat I think a Freeman would be a perfect south Florida boat. It would really shine as a Bahama's boat with the speed and fuel burn. No more getting stuck because the stream is to rough. I have the boat layed out like a Florida tourament/swordfish boat. Since that style matches my charter routine. The only different touch is I have the leaning post/livewell tied into the t-top for more rod storage. I have the traditional 15 degree rod holders going along the gunnels facing out and three per side for trolling. I had Rupp Top Gun Z-30's mounted on the top with 18' poles. Plus there are four more 15 degree rodholders along the transom for whatever. The livewell at 75 gallons is a little big for what I do but it should keep plenty the threadfin herring alive this summer. I have 12 volt plugs under the gunnels for electric reels for kite,deepdrop or swordfishing. and for elecronics I have two Navnet VX2's with a 6K open array and a 1K tilted element thru hull transducer. I didn't go crazy with electronics I just got what I need. The best two things I had installed was the JL Audio stero system and the Seastar power assited steering. With that you steer the boat with your mind and not your arms. I will never own a boat without it. And for power I have twin 300 Suzuki's the electronic throttles take a little time to get used to but when you do they are nice. I really think this boat will make a big impact even with the die hard mono hull fans. Now here are a few pictures of the new Relentless Here is a console shot showing the space for electronics This shot shows the coffin style fishbox which drains thru the hull. No macerator pumps are very good. This box is 6'X3'x31" and makes a 80lb whaoo look like a snake king This is the custom T-top with plenty of rod storage so I don't have to make a run to the grounds with rods in the gunnels. here is a shot of the big open bow for throwing topwater lures to the tuna on overnighters and day tuna trips. Here she is cleaned up and waiting for tomorrow. This is a cold molded boat and the build of it can be checked out at www.freemanboatworks.com It is definately worth a trip up here to fish on her. Capt. Mike __________________ Relentless Sportfishing Charters Venice La.

01-16-2008, 03:03 PM	#2
budddavid Bite me Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Owings, MD Posts: 241 Credits: 1,357.5 Occupation: Mechanical Engineer	She is a looker That is the best looking cat I have seen, congrats and it's great that you are happy with her. Do you experience any hull slap at trolling speeds with it?

01-16-2008, 03:23 PM	#3
stockweiser Sit down Shut up And fish Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 493 Credits: 1,396.4	Nice, I fish on a Glacier Bay and love the ride of a cat. Thanks for the info.

01-16-2008, 03:24 PM	#4
tuna26 I Need More Posts Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 9 Credits: 1,190.1	I have only trolled with the boat on three occassions for wahoo. But I have not experienced any hull slap to speak of. The conditions were from >2 to <5 going both with it and against it. This because of the round and very deep tunnel. I can say that on a drift or at anchor she is rock steady. The almost 11' beam sure is nice. For the way we fish down here it is the perfect boat. From what I know about the fishing you guys do it would also work very well for you. I can't be pleased more with this boat. Capt. Mike

01-16-2008, 11:52 PM	#9
fishfighter "If at first you don't succeed, don't try skydiving" Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Gulf of Mexico Posts: 128 Credits: 1,244.0	Capt.Mike,I will be down in the next week or two and hope to catch up with you to check her out.Dam fine lady you have there.

01-18-2008, 08:58 AM	#10
RiffRaff I wear cool logos Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mt Pleasant SC Posts: 58 Credits: 1,196.3 Boat: 44 Ocean Yacht and Classic 20 Seacraft Home Port: Isle of Palms, SC Occupation: Telecom sales management	Helped flip hull #2 last night along with about 40 other guys, hopefully Billy (the builder) will chime in on this site with some updates and pics. He has a ton of local support for the boat and I believe it is a winner.