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The Freeman 28 is a 28-foot sportfishing hybrid catamaran that was launched by the innovative South Carolina-based yacht-building firm Freeman Boatworks in 2023. The most compact boat in the current Freeman fleet, the 28 combines tournament-ready fishing prowess and the option for cruising in the shallows with rugged outboard engines and the brand’s signature dual-hulled approach to seakeeping. Wider than your typical entry-level fisher at 9-foot and 10-inches, this stunning and sporty bay boat boasts plenty of room to move around and track your prey, along with masses of relaxation space lined with sophisticated hand-stitched seating.
A chic bow lounge impresses with diamond-stitched upholstery in sedate neutral tones where the whole family can gather and soak up the sun. U-shaped wrap-around seating hugs the bulwark and comes with a pair of backrests to turn this area into two sophisticated chaise-longues, while a pair of forward-facing seats ahead of the helm offer marvelous views out beyond a casting platform with hidden storage. Though this zone is more relaxed there’s still plenty of fish storage and rod-holders on offer for the dedicated angler, while a below-seat cooler keeps your drinks crisp and cold.
Sheltered under a floating hard-top with a radar dome and situated behind wrap-around glazing, the walk-around helm station boasts cutting edge equipment and two comfortable chairs lined in leather-effect upholstery with flip-up armrests and pop-up bolsters for those who like to steer while standing. Utilize Optimus Fly-by-Wire steering and an Optimus 360 Joystick with Setpoint to chart your course, and marvel at the 24-inch Garmin or Simrad touch-screen with bundled instrumentation and a non-glare finish. Also on offer up here is a night vision display, ZipWake trim-tab switches, hand-held iCOM VHF radio, a mounted high-speed compass, digital throttles, plenty of room for your fishing extras and a stereo system linked to the boat’s integrated speakers.
A self-bailing cockpit boasts dual 21 gallon transom livewells with aquarium-style lids, two cooler boxes with a combined 180 quarts of storage, in-sole fish boxes, rocket launchers, outrigger bases, discreet rod storage, Gemlux Bluewater rod-holders and cleats, power-poles, padded coamings, two wash-down hoses and easy access to transom for hauling those record catches aboard.
Powered by a pair of 300HP Mercury Racing outboards, you can expect top speeds to reach an adrenalin-pumping 60 knots at the high-end, while the sweet spot for efficient cruising comes in at around the 35 knot mark. Don’t need to go so quick? Then exchange the Mercury Racing motors for two Mercury Verado outboards that come as standard. A fuel tank holding 250 gallons should keep you out on the water all day long, while a relatively shallow 16-inch draft makes this a perfect sandbar-hopper and estuary cruiser. Constructed using biaxial and triaxial fiberglass with a vinylester resin finish and a closed cell structural core, this hybrid catamaran hull proves stable, speedy and efficient.
