ADVENTURES, EXPERIENCES AND LIFE WITH A CLASSIC MOTOR CRUISER
Freeman 22 MKII
In September of 2021 I became the owner of a 1968 Freeman 22 MKII river cruiser located on the Norfolk Broads.
The boat ‘White Lady’ was in moderate condition, some might say excellent for an over 50 year old GRP vessel. She had her original un-painted gel coat, worn close to the laminate through years of loving polish or perhaps just a couple of over-zealous episodes with coarse cutting compound. She had new upholstery which left a good impression, possibly masking some issues as a first time Freeman owner that would only become apparent after I bought her. Lady was by no means a project but also not a show boat.
This blog is my own personal archive of experiences and technical undertakings which family and friends may find enjoyable (not everything needs to be on facebook) along with others that are about to or have embarked on a similar journey to me. Some pages or galleries will be private as they contain personal family images however I will endeavour to create the equivalent galleries with images removed of family members pulling silly faces or emerging hung-over in the early hours of the day after a heavy night before.
As to my background, my name is Chris and have worked in the marine industry since the mid 90’s, primarily in chandleries. I’ve owned a multitude of boats, mostly of the sailing kind and mostly kept in salt water. I’ve had the pleasure of learning to sail on my father’s International Pandora and owning my first boat, a deep fin keeled Westerly GK24 moving on to a bilge keeled Hunter 272. In more recent times I acquired a Swift 18 trailer sailer which I kept briefly on the Broads until discovering that dropping the mast to go under bridges was a bit of a nuisance without some expensive modifications. I sold the Swift 18 which partially funded the purchase of my current F22 MKII.
Travelogue
Summer Holiday 2023
A hesitant start from Wroxham to Loddon (Pyes Mill Mooring) Our summer cruise was intended to start on the Monday, leaving Ranworth for an early Breydon water crossing however this plan failed when the original braised exhaust flange which bolts to the cooling water injection elbow failed, filling the engine compartment with water and fumes. Our
Relaxing at Belaugh
Not the greatest adventure on this little weekend trip, but with the weather almost switching overnight from grim winter to heatwave I couldn't resist a relaxing overnighter at what must be my favourite 'local' mooring at Belaugh. There's at best space for two boats and has a fantastic miniature green, offering a wonderful sunset and a shady morning.
Spring break and Freeman meet at Beccles
Ranworth to Beccles via Breydon Water We've had a fairly full-on transition from winter to spring this year having re-built the engine and stripped the headlining of grotty old paint (probably something nasty from a DIY store that looked like a good idea to a previous owner). I re-made the hand-rails, re-varnished the curtain pelmets with 7
First trip out in 2023 to Womack Staithe
I'd been looking forward to this first foray out with 'White Lady' in 2023 with the promise of a tasty Sunday carvery at the Ludham Kings Arms. Everything started well but after about half an hour into the trip, the newly re-conditioned engine started missing and when opening the throttle, a backfire or two. Although annoying, we returned
Freeman 2022 Northern Broads meet at Salhouse
These days I steer clear of social media a far as possible and now strictly restrict my use of Facebook to a couple of boating groups. One of the groups (Freeman Cruiser Owners) has become a great source of advice and information over the last 12 months with members forming a very active community. A wonderful lady called
Travels to the Southern Broads – 2022
Ranworth to Stracey Arms In August 2022 we undertook our first extended cruise as a family to the southern Norfolk Broads, using the Stracey Arms as our jumping off point for making the appropriate tide through Great Yarmouth at slack water (roughly an hour after low water). Pictures below are taken en-route from where the Thurne joins
Technical
Water pump shaft seals replacement and general service
Last autumn (2023) I noticed a small oily water leak from what appeared to be my water pump. It was by no means severe and something I put off till the start of the season. In my mind I'd built it up to be something potentially difficult, given I had no idea how it would all come apart. I
Semi Winterising
I refuse to admit defeat, with the majority of other boats around me being either hauled out for winter, winterised afloat or simply abandoned till the spring. None of these options really work for me as I do like to grab an opportunity for a winter cruise or trip to an empty staithe to access a pub which
Trying to get a shine
Lot of us must have a similar problem with 55 year old gelcoat simply not polishing up and precious little left to compound. Whilst trying to avoid painting for as long as possible, I've tried out a multitude of premium cleaners and waxes from hybrid ceramic to traditional premium carnuba wax and ultimately 2 coats of Star brite
Replacing oil pump and filter assembly for spin-on fitting
A small upgrade this time. My Ford Pre-crossflow engine (105E Kent) originally comes with an oil pump/filter assembly which has a lower cannister which holds a replicable filter. This cannister is held in place by a bolt served through the top of the pump which draws the filter cannister tight against a flat rubber sealing ring. 60 years of
Fitting a Fridge – Making the Seat Box
Having ascertained that a reasonably sized fridge mounted in a traditional fashion, opening into the cockpit area, wasn't going to be worthwhile, I've chosen to mount it transversely with the door opening into the helm footwell. This is a bit of a compromise, but to have the door open over the rear seat, the box would have been
Lift, scrub, grind, fill and antifoul
Just a quick haul out, polish, antifoul and splash back in... ...not likely ! The haul out was fairly trouble-free although the slipway near our berth has a very shallow incline with the tide fairly low, making the whole operation quite marginal. I've never seen 'Lady' out of the water before, having bought her on good faith (arguably
