Freeman 23 - Charlies Dream

Hi everyone!

New to the site and of course to Freeman ownership.

My partner and I purchased Charlie at the start of March after much hunting around, we knew we wanted a Freeman, but coming from Northern Ireland the cost of transporting one over from the mainland was proving to be prohibitive.

Luckily we then found Charlie down in Lough Derg in Co Tipperary. It worked out perfect as our home mooring was going to be on Lower Lough Erne, Co Fermanagh. What this meant is that we were able to sail Charlie the entire length of the Shannon/Erne waterway over the Easter week to our berthing.

The trip took 6 days, as i'm sure some of you know the Shannon Erne is the longest waterway in the UK and Ireland so it was some adventure for our first trip. I've pics of that trip on my [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.], i'd highly recommend doing the jorney, even if you hire from one of the many companies on the waterway.

So to the photos...

The exterior first
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And interior...

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We have numerous jobs planned to get Charlie just the way we want, reupholster, and the wood needs work but i'll adress that in the maintenace thread.

The one thing you will notice is the modification made to the engine housing by the previous owner. Although we've lost the double seating side of the table, the easy access to the engine bay now makes it ideal when doing our daily checks. We leave the table now now in that configuration and use that area as a long bench type seat.

Its normally only the 2 of us so the loss of the extra bed isn;t too much of an issue, plus we've a tent stored now in case of any visitors

That is quite a mod  I'd be interested to see a photo of it open.

What are the hinges below the drinks cabinet for 

I'll take a few of it open next time I'm onboard. The hinges are part of the mod, that section of wood flips up and is held by two clips, and then you take the entire covering box off, it means you have access to the entire engine bay. When I get those extra pics it'll better explain

You'll be giving some of our most fastidious owners ideas ... 
(BTW what a super boat- congratulations on your purchase).
They'll be wanting a casing made like yours but Plexiglas to show off their engine pride and joy, a la Italian car-exotica. An in-cabin trophy cabinet!

Unusual treatment of the aft cabin hardtop and side windows too, but hey, don't knock it, its one of a kind and extremely useful !
Welcome to the forum irishejit, I take it you'll be coming over for one of the Freeman meetings this summer
(I am not being serious !)

Edit: Looking at your flickr pictures, Your first cruise looks amazing, superb scenery and waters, what an adventure, what's left after that !

Welcome to forum.  I'd love to get over to the Shannon in my 22.  Enjoyed your photo's, but tell me.... did you finish that steak all in one go???

Welcome aboard, some interesting alterations there.
 
Is it a quiz, i'm looking for a big steak

On his Flickr page Rich, second line from the bottom of the first post.

Ah, got it, didn't see the Flickr link. Great photos...and a nice looking steak

We thouroughly enjoyed the Shannon, I'm almost ashamed to say it was on a hire boat though 
In fact those emerald star boats in some of you pics may well have been one of them.

It was a bit of a gruelling trip at times though 

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Welcome both to Freeman ownership and the forum. Super boat, very individual andcan excellent purchase. Looking forward to hearing about the cruising season ahead. We have never been on any of the Irish  network but you have already tempted us.

Thanks for the kind welcome everyone!

I was wondering would the steaks get a mention!! Finished in one go indeed, although there wasn't much of a need for anything to accompany it, apart from a nice glass of red or two!!

The plexiglass is a brilliant idea!!

I was a bit dubious about the wheelhouse conversion but after having used it now its an extremly useful extra space. like the rest of the boat I've a few tweaks in mind for it, the wood is a bit tired so am going to replace it, but trying to decide whether to stick with wood, or instead use some powercoated tube steel or similiar so that less of the view is obstructed by the supports

Welcome to the forum and some very interesting modifications made to Charlie...... I have a F23 with a hardtop but mine is half the size and on nice sunny days (3 or 4 each year ) we can drop the cover off the back and open the cabin area up whilst still having some shade. If you decide to go down that route in the future I can send you some pictures.

Enjoy, one of those sunny days will be here soon, I'm sure..................................

Welcome

Hi again folks. Finally remembered to get a couple of photos of the engine bay, we've been having so much fun being out and about in the recent fantastic weather over here it kept slipping our mind, might have been the wine too! You can see the additional soundproofing added by the previous owner, it makes a brilliant difference to the levels in the wheelhouse

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I was thinking of adding extra sound proofing but thought the lack of air around the engine would make it run hotter?
Also most of the engine/gearbox noise seems to come from the engine vent and through the gear stick opening.
Anyone tired making this a little quieter?
Sorry for the hi jack

I have had a bit of a play with sound proofing..... you have to approach it a little bit like waterproofing.  One tiny gap or air hole and all your efforts in other areas are wasted.   

The only way to silence the engine is to seal it in a box lined with lead loaded foam.....  the air inlet is the key and the best, but most painful, way would be to duct the air in from somewhere not in the cockpit...... perhaps from the transom with a fan to help it on it's way.

The early 30s had their air intakes in the cockpit, but later ones and 32's had scoops on the exterior of the cockpit. A big difference.

Deano, do you have a brand name for the good quality sound proofing please?

The puma stuff is Quietlife....  but it is surprisingly expensive..... but amazingly good....
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There is a chap that does most of the boat jumbles that sells a reasonable copy.   [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

If you try to do it DIY with foam rubber and egg boxes, you are not only wasting your time, you are creating a massive fire hazard.