Freeman

[baffina2]

High time looking to buy a freeman with petrol engine any one got one and what are the pitfalls thanks

[CambridgeCabby]

Main pitfall will be availability of petrol if you intend keeping her on The Broads, all fuel will have to be transported to the boat as no riverside petrol availability 

[annv]

Petrol is quieter, smoother, smaller, easier to work on, cheaper for servicing and repairs,BUT requires more care safty wise as petrol explodes in confined spaces and on the broads you will have to refuel by cans as there is no petrol pumps at refueling spots, and because of this they are a lot cheaper to buy. John

[BroadAmbition]

 cheaper for servicing and repairs

Really?  Can't ever remember diesels having to have the following serviced / changed:- HT Leads, Plugs, points, condensor, rotor arms dizzy caps and the like.  The more modern petrol fuel injection systems still need plugs changing not to mention the electrical gremlins concerned with ignition

Griff

[FairTmiddlin]

39 minutes ago, BroadAmbition said:

 cheaper for servicing and repairs

Really?  Can't ever remember diesels having to have the following serviced / changed:- HT Leads, Plugs, points, condensor, rotor arms dizzy caps and the like.  The more modern petrol fuel injection systems still need plugs changing not to mention the electrical gremlins concerned with ignition

Griff

And Griff you forgot the biggest problem with a petrol engine is, some thing the Broads has a lot of, Dampness.

[BroadAmbition]

Very true although a silicone spray should keep that at bay

Griff

[MauriceMynah]

I can't see silicone spray removing the damp from the Norfolk Broads, but it's an interesting thought. :-)

[floydraser]

Excellent choice of boat with probably the best woodwork ever. As the others say, diesel would be better for the Broads if you can live with it. But you would need to find one with all the fuel lines in good fettle especially if the engine is just under the rear of the saloon, or it'll stink. I've looked at a few!

[Chelsea14Ian]

Our first boat was a shetland 4+2 petrol.Lovely boat,but getting petrol as others have said on the broads a problem. Go for diesel. 

[baffina2]

Thanks that has been really helpful 

[ScrumpyCheddar]

My uncles 1978 freeman mk2 27ft had a ford thornycroft petrol in his..  It never missed a beat.. serviced every year..fuel tank flushed and filters changed.. New plugs and cap and HT leads sprayed with waterproof silicone spray yearly...

And it’s still going strong on the Thames..