Freedom Seasport

[Alan T]

HI Guys,

We've had our Seasport 12 months now and love the boat.

Big concern is that is has develop hull stress fractures over the whole hull.

Has anyone else experienced the same problem.

Rgds

Alan

[Chimo]

Hi Alan

Sounds like a warranty issue. What is the max motor size on these?

How long is the warranty on these?

The older Seafarers were about 5 yrs on a Tinka trailer and I think some are now up to 7 yrs so you should probably take it up with the dealer / maufacturer.

Chimo

[mirage]

I've had mine 12 months now as well. Haven't noticed any fractures. Where exactly are they? Got any photos?
Your boat should have come with a 10 year structural warranty!!
Cheers, Scotty.

[Alan T]

I've had mine 12 months now as well. Haven't noticed any fractures. Where exactly are they? Got any photos?
Your boat should have come with a 10 year structural warranty!!
Cheers, Scotty.

Scotty,
They are on the gel coat of the hull. From bow to stern, they are like hair line fractures that run along inside the runners on the hull and even the runners have fractures length wise . There is also a fracture on the chine that runs about 4-6" long. I discovered them by accident as you need to be under the boat looking up to notice them. It is a warranty issue so will be interesting to see the outcome.
Rgds
Alan

[mirage]

Thanks Alan. If you don't mind can you send me a PM when you find out what they are going to do about it.
Scott.

[Jru29]

Hi there Seasport owners. I'm currently looking at buying a boat and we are getting really close to making the final decision -> pointing towards a seasport at the mo. Unfortunately due to our remote location I have never even seen one in the flesh, but do plan to before we actually sign on the line and hopefully take one for a spin.
I'm chasing the latest updates on your boats if you would write them down. The things you like, the things you don't .

As far as options go at this stage I'm looking at a
-175 Suzi/etec
-Anchor winch
-Shade extension to the rear

I've read that trim tabs are helpful and may look at getting some. Do they interfere with the boarding ladder?
Oh and in all the pics I've seen I cannot tell if the seat risers at the front have an opening to put gear inside them - can someone let me know.

The purpose of the boat would be cruising out the the islands around Dampier for family fun/camping and also fishing in blue water when the weather suits (we are not die hard fishos but do like to get amongst em when we get the chance ).

Cheers
Jru

[mirage]

Gday Jru,
I've had one for 18 months now. Have a Suzuki 175 on it, great engine. I'm fairly happy with the boat, it's good value for money as a family/fishing boat although it is not a die hard fishing boat. It's built to a budget, I think the boat is too light but has good fittings etc.
As usual there was quite a few teething problems but Freedom or the dealer fixed them all.
The biggest problem was off shore when coming off the top of a swell. The bow would slap down very hard. I installed Volvo Penta QL Trim Tabs, as these do not interfere with the boarding ladder. Normal trim tabs will. The tabs are great and make the ride a lot better although do not cut out the slapping of the top of a swell 100%, but then again I didn't expect them to totally fix it. I would suggest you definately get tabs fitted if you are going offshore a lot. There is a recent thread here talking about the QL tabs. You will have to cut access holes in the floor if you get em.
There is storage in the front of the standard seat pedestalls but I got the option on mine for fresh water washdown so there is 55l of water in them with a small storage area above the filler caps.
Hope this helps, Scotty.

[Jru29]

Hi Mirage and thanks for the feedback. I was unaware of the washdown/fresh water option - I reackon that could be handy for fresh water showers if camping out!
Just a question with the slapping effect when coming off the top of a swell, how big were the swells and were you hitting them with pace? We generally wouldn't go out in heavy seas when we can just stay in the relatively protected waters around the islands. We still get rough water but it's more of a wind chop which can get quite sharp.

Thanks again
Jru

[mirage]

Jru,
If the boat slices through a wave or chop it is not too bad but if it rides up a 3 or 4 foot swell/wave withought going through it then the nose slaps down hard on the other side. I must say though my only other experiences off shore have been in Kevlacats and one of Fisher Boats plate aluminium boats so I may be a bit unfair on the Seasport. For all I know all the other GRP's like Cruise Craft, Hunters, Signatures etc do the same thing. I'm often out in 20 knot + conditions, not by choice but the forecasts are often off!
As I said though, the QL Trim Tabs have reduced the problem significantly. The boat tends to stick to the water now and ride down the back of a swell although you still do get the odd bone cruncher.
Cheers.