Re: What is freeboard?
 

And beam is measured at the widest point of the boat.
Just as length is measured at the longest point, including beaks.

Re: What is freeboard?
 

I don't know I ain't got none :cool:

Re: What is freeboard?
 

Hey, if Formula wants to define free board, it's their perogative, they can define this new phrase however they please.

But for them to single-handedly, in their 50 years of existance, redefine freeboard - which is a term that has been around for centuries - that takes some big ones. :p :p ;) ;)

Re: What is freeboard?
 

Yeah... you should see the freeboard on the PC series. :D

Re: What is freeboard?
 

That is what I found confusing. Some manufacturers list freeboard in their specs. I always wondered how they did that? Salt or fresh water, big block or small block, 1 or 4 passengers?

Re: What is freeboard?
 

Probably an average of test boats?

Re: What is freeboard?
 

And at what point are they measuring?
I'm guessing its the highest point on the boat when in water, not the lowest.

I would think a 38TG, when at rest at the dock, would be about 3 1/2ft high(out of the water) at its highest point.

Re: What is freeboard?
 

This has to be the craziest thread ever on OSO. Five pages dedicated to discussion of definitions with quotes from a very reputable boat builders customer service department…

Well to clear things up...... The depth of Freeboard (D) is the moulded depth amidships, plus the thickness of the freeboard deck stringer plate, where fitted, plus T(L-S) if the exposed freeboard deck is sheathed, L

where T is the mean thickness of the exposed sheathing clear of deck openings, and S is the total of superstructures as defined in sub-paragraph (10) (d) of this regulation.

Freeboard or the assigned freeboard is the distance measured vertically downwards amidships from the upper edge of the deck line to the upper edge of the related load line/ ITC waterline

Of course this is all ICCL convention stuff which was adopted in 1966 and not even close to applicable to recreational boats, but if you want to define words here you go.

Maybe now we can talk about length and length between perpendiculars or breadth and beam to drag this thread to ten pages……..

Re: What is freeboard?
 

And here I thought freeboard was a free piece of wood :eek:

Re: What is freeboard?
 

You should stop lying to fellow OSO'ers... It's when you let someone ride without charging them! :D

Re: What is freeboard?
 

Here are two more responses i got from factories... since none of the sponsers of OSO will chime in.

Fountain...
"Rob, I define freeboard as the distance from the floor of the boat to the top of the gunnel (side of the boat). I measured that distance at its shortest point. On the 42' Executioner that is at the base of the back seat. The measurment there is 42". I hope that this is what you were looking for.

C---- D---, Fountain Customer Service" (i edited his name for security reasons).

Hatteras - note: not an HP company.

"Freeboard forward 6'6"
Freeboard aft 2'11"

Connie Mitchell
Hatteras Yachts Division of Brunswick Corporation"

Re: What is freeboard?
 

Yea... and my post count is picking up. :D

Re: What is freeboard?
 

Ok, thanks. Good point... when I want to define words I look at a dictionary.
American Heritage dictionary says that freeboard is the distance between the waterline and the uppermost deck of a ship. So I guess even with ships, in the English language... it is an exterior measurement.

Now tell us about the length standards that aren't even close to applicable to recreation boats. :D

If you have any navigation rules that aren't even close to applicable to recreational boats... throw that in too.

This thread will pass Chips and Boats. No question.

Re: What is freeboard?
 

I gotta go.
Stay on this Rob. :D

Re: What is freeboard?
 

I'll try, but I'm going to Chicago for the weekend.
I only get time to post when at work. At home, my boss dont let me near the PC... worried I'll buy another boat. :D

Re: What is freeboard?
 

left for a while, now im back and still not clear . just alot of deffinitions. eh storm you gonna buy another pantera or thinking of something else. HIMES

Re: What is freeboard?
 

According to Websters... we are ALL correct. Sort of. :D

The deck version is for ships, the gunwale version is for small boats.
Explains why Chapmans gave the "water line to topsides" version.

Since 1726 anyway.... "the distance between the waterline and the main deck or weather deck of a ship OR between the level of water and the upper edge of the side of a small boat."

Re: What is freeboard?
 

Cool set up........I want to convert mine to a sit down .......what seats did you use????

Re: What is freeboard?
 

I'm thinking of buying some dockline and learn how to tie a noose! :mad:
No, no pantera or anything else for now. :(
And when I do get something, I couldn't tell you if I'll buy a boat w/ alot of freeboard, or a little freeboard(that 29extreme sure is nice. :D )

Re: What is freeboard?
 

So you're just as boatless as I am... sucks doesn't it!
I've been 5 years boatless - it's like my freakin' arms are falling off..
It's killing me...
Everytime I think I have a little coin set aside, something comes up...
I've been glancing at Pantera's, Saber's, and Cigarette 28's.

All of those are low "something(freeboard)" - I'm so confused by the definitions on this thread, I don't know what to call it.
I would rather have a boat that the sides come up high enough, that if I get thrown around by a wave, there is something to keep me in the boat. That's my definition of Freeboard.
But, all those boats don't have that high "something(freeboard)" - but they are all really cool boats.

Hell, I'm getting to the point I'll damn near buy anything that floats just to get back on the water...

So, what is the definition of "2nd Mortgageboard" or "i'm.so.brokeboard"???

Re: What is freeboard?
 

A simple question, and you opened a whole barell of monkeys...

What were you thinking?? A bunch of boat goofballs in the late days of winter :D
You should have known it would turn into this ... :D

Re: What is freeboard?
 

bh... I don't think those are that low... in such a short boat, when you start to raise the decklines the boats start to look a bit stubby, not long and lean.
A 41 apache can have a deep cockpit and still look sleek cuz of the length.

Now, a 30 superboat or 30 activator or 29 extreme are low freeboard.
I wouldn't want standup bolsters in any of those. I dont even think you can get them.

Plus, like i said, pantera can take an older boat and make 5" cut outs where you stand... so its giving you more cockpit depth while underway.
And if you're gonna get chucked from a boat... boy... your gonna get chucked.

I'd like to hear stories of how guys have gotten thrown out, and if a deeper cockpit would have helped, but I dont think they'd all come running to admit it happened.

BTW, b4 anyone asks why i'm on here at night... my wife is in Chicago. :D

Re: What is freeboard?
 

That's my Fountain in #18 . . . I got basically zero freeboard, but a fairly deep cockpit at the helm.

In a boat like a Hatteras SF, ( some of which have a broken shear ), I would only be concerned with a number measured at the transom.
Without breaking out my Chapmans, I wonder if freeboard should be measured amidship, or at lowest point, highest point, or at the center of the transom.
MagMarks Magnum has a shallow cockpit. Also not much distance between gunwale and chine. . . . but probably more freeboard than my Fountain.

Re: What is freeboard?
 

In a sportfisher you don't want too much freeboard at the transom, then it gets too hard to get a fish on board.

Re: What is freeboard?
 

Thats what transom doors are for . . . but my point is that I am most concerned with the lowest measurement than the highest above the waterline. Especially on a hull with a broken shear. I agree - in a SF, that is WHY they break the shear, to keep the freeboard manageable in the fighting area of the cockpit.

Re: What is freeboard?
 

so how did bthe depth feel on your 24'?

Re: What is freeboard?
 

Not all shears are broken in SF's.
Viking doesnt.
Hattarass doesnt.
ACY doesnt.
Yes, they all have shears that drop off, so you can have a fishing cockpit.

And I dont use a transom door for bluefish for flounder fishing.
I use a net.

And I bet the transom height on a 38-42 SF is higher than a cig/apache/nortech or any other HP boat.

You want a nice high bow to be able to run bigger seas.
Check out the pics of my dads knowles. This is a great sea boat.

Re: What is freeboard?
 

I agree I think the Pantera 24 is a perfect balance of beam, length and cockpit depth and it looks awesome(especially the Sport :D). I wouldn't want to change the decklines. But, IMO the 24 would be a better sit down boat.

I've seen pics of 24s with sit downs and I really like it. But, I haven't even had a chance to run my boat yet so standing up might suit me. The last two owners said they really liked standing up and the low cockpit depth didn't bother them at all.

Re: What is freeboard?
 

The cockpit depth of the 24 was fine.
The bolster was high enough to make me feel comfortable.
I admit, a deeper 33-36 would be more comfortable.
When I was in MM's 41apache, i thought it would take alot to throw me out.
He actually had a pillow on board for me to stand on if I wasn't tall enough to see over the fairing. Of course I didn't need it. :D
btw, i'm 5'10".

I cant comment on a sitdown, cuz i've never driven a sitdown boat.

Re: What is freeboard?
 

Storm, you're right the bolsters are very nice in my 24. Like I said I haven't even driven the boat yet. But standing in the bolsters and being so high above everything feels "weird" for lack of a better word.

Maybe it's because all my boats have been sit downs and I need to get used to it. My Donzi had a shallow cockpit and low freeboard but you sat. My unlimited had an extremely shallow cockpit and no freeboard at all! The seats were literally bolted right to the floor! :eek: But man what a fun azz boat! :D

Re: What is freeboard?
 

Check out the freeboard and cockpit depth on the Unlimited. :eek: :D

Re: What is freeboard?
 

I think that somehow you misinterpreted my post.
First, it is clearly obvious that not ALL SF'ers have a broken shear, but a broken shear is most often found on SF'er ( for the fighting cockpit ) . . .
Second, there are many 'Hats' that feature a broken shear. Look to the 44's and above.
Third. Hell you can land a bluefish or a flounder from the flybridge.
Your DAD's Knowles looks like a nice seaworthy hull, but I don't think you are enlightening anyone, in stating that "You want a nice high bow for bigger seas" . . . . correct. You sure don't want a 'jet-boat' profile for bluewater navigation. . . .

Hopefully we are clear now.

Re: What is freeboard?
 

Free-board is the distance from the waterline stripe to the top of the Sunbrella enclosure...geez do I have to explain everything to you guys or what?

...notice the skill of this boater who chooses to "drop anchor" at the dock instead of "tying up"....well what would you do if all your cleats fell off?? :D

Re: What is freeboard?
 

wow.....awsome thread, anyone else have subway tonight?

Re: What is freeboard?
 

:)

Re: What is freeboard?
 

I think free board can be measured at any point on the boat, then define where the measurement was taken. For instance, a boat may have 24 inches of freeboard at the transom, and 36 inches of freeboard at the helm. And as always, I refer to freeboard as to how much of the hull is out of the water.

Re: What is freeboard?
 

Au, contrair! They weren't always that way. Check out this 255 Formula I saw at the Boat Hospital a couple weeks ago. The first thing I thought of was the massive amount of freeboard.:)

Re: What is freeboard?
 

Now, my Mx14 Checkmate is a good example of low freeboard. :eek:
I never chop the throttle in it. :D

Re: What is freeboard?
 

cudas got a good point, that thing is preatty dang tall

Re: What is freeboard?
 

When I bought my first new boat back in 1988, I was specifically looking for a smaller center console with the most freeboard, and a wide beam. Show me another 18 foot CC with this much freeboard, and an eight foot beam. I've never felt scared in this boat, and I had it out in some chit I had no business being in. I knew if I could stay in the boat, the boat can take more than I can, and WILL make it back to the dock. :)

That's one of the reasons I still have this boat. :)