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 Norman Boats
 Well My Norman has ...............?
 Hood/Canopy Repairs
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ken cattell

United Kingdom
192 Posts

Posted - 17 Nov 2013 :  21:56:49  Show Profile Send ken cattell a Private Message  Reply with Quote
A recommendation for good service, attention to detail and fast turn round.

Cobra Leathers
01793 490119 / 07703 398455
www.cobra-leathers.co.uk
1-3 Whitehouse Road,
Swindon,
Wiltshire.
SN2 1BZ
open 10 to 5 mon to thurs.
10 to 4 fri.
10 to 2 sat.
Contact Anne Rubython

My latest boat following the sale of the Conquest is a Freeman 22 Mk2. It had welded vynal windows in the sides and rear of the canopy which had split along the seams but the main parts of the canopy were good.
Spoke with Anne who knew what I was talking about and had done loads of boaty type things previously, she showed me a catch cover she was making from scratch for a narrowboat which was a work of art, and I booked the work in to be done 6 weeks from the date of initially talking to her about the project (she is a sole trader and that was the next available slot).
The Saturday prior to the proposed date she texted me confirming/reminding me that the repair date was due on the Monday. I took the canopy off on the Sunday, dried it in the garage overnight and left it with her on Monday morning. Got a text from her on the Wednesday afternoon saying job was complete. Picked it up Thursday morning and back on the boat Thursday evening.

2 x side panel windows replaced slightly bigger than the original to remove the weld seams.
1 x rear window enlarged to my specification.
All windows stitched inside the hood apart from the lower edge stiched to the outside to act like a window sill.
All window stitching sealed internally with a clear vynal sealer.
A few bits of the canopy edge stiching were in poor condition and I'd asked her to sort out those areas... she went over every bit of the stiching re-newing it, including taking off a large wooden battern Freemans use to connect the canopy to the windscreen and refitting it.
The cost? 150.00 pound.

Worth every penny for the work(wo)manship, attention to detail and great service.
She can also do cushions and upholstery and I highly recommend her.

Ken
(former owner, Conquest Gladys-May)

Edited by - ken cattell on 17 Nov 2013 22:33:44

Deano

United Kingdom
1843 Posts

Posted - 17 Nov 2013 :  23:01:03  Show Profile  Visit Deano's Homepage Send Deano a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Nice to see you have got yourself a Freeman.......

Can I be so bold as to recommend the Freeman Forum as a good place to check out......

http://freemanboats.forumer.com/

Lots of friendly advice and banter........ not as good as here... obviously......!!!!

Dean - Boating on the Great Ouse.
Freeman 32 "Liberty"
See the photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/54758027@N00/
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ken cattell

United Kingdom
192 Posts

Posted - 17 Nov 2013 :  23:51:57  Show Profile Send ken cattell a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Thanks Deano,

There have been times on this new 'odesey' where I have felt a little wanting/exposed/naked!
The only 'club' type site I've found for Freemans has been the one offered by Sheridan marine and whilst they know thier boats and have all the kit (at a price), I've found nothing to match the knowledge and camarardarie of this site which thanks to the first boat being a Norman Conquest I stummbled across and remain addicted to.

Ken
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Deano

United Kingdom
1843 Posts

Posted - 18 Nov 2013 :  00:21:04  Show Profile  Visit Deano's Homepage Send Deano a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Aha!! The Freeman forum is very like here... lots of good advice fun and frolics... just with a nice dark wood veneer!!!

Dean - Boating on the Great Ouse.
Freeman 32 "Liberty"
See the photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/54758027@N00/
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df

United Kingdom
5994 Posts

Posted - 18 Nov 2013 :  07:05:20  Show Profile  Visit df's Homepage Send df a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Deano

Aha!! The Freeman forum is very like here... lots of good advice fun and frolics... just with a nice dark wood veneer!!!


And a bigger dose of osmosis....




NBAS--The communal colostomy bag of the boating community.
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ken cattell

United Kingdom
192 Posts

Posted - 18 Nov 2013 :  18:26:26  Show Profile Send ken cattell a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Thats why I love this site!
DF's phycic powers, unless he has seen the new boat. Yep more osmosis, mainly on the cabin roof but it is around 15 years older than Gladys-May so entittled to have a bit more and it still floats and is water-tight.
The wood veneer though mmmmmmm! A veritable gentlemans carridge!
Happy days!
k
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df

United Kingdom
5994 Posts

Posted - 18 Nov 2013 :  18:39:57  Show Profile  Visit df's Homepage Send df a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Unfortunately freemans have a bit of a reputation for osmosis, any boat of the age will have it to some extent but I think the freemans suffered a bit more than many other makes, all depends on how it's been looked after over the years.
I have seen some big blisters under freemans......




NBAS--The communal colostomy bag of the boating community.
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Deano

United Kingdom
1843 Posts

Posted - 18 Nov 2013 :  19:01:52  Show Profile  Visit Deano's Homepage Send Deano a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by df

Unfortunately freemans have a bit of a reputation for osmosis, any boat of the age will have it to some extent but I think the freemans suffered a bit more than many other makes, all depends on how it's been looked after over the years.
I have seen some big blisters under freemans......



I'm a bit biased, but possibly better informed??? and although they have a bad reputation for it, I don't think in reality they are any worse than other boats of the period.... Don't forget may of these boats have 10 years on the large majority of budget cruisers!

PS. You won't find any blisters on my bottom!!!!!

Dean - Boating on the Great Ouse.
Freeman 32 "Liberty"
See the photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/54758027@N00/
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df

United Kingdom
5994 Posts

Posted - 18 Nov 2013 :  19:14:33  Show Profile  Visit df's Homepage Send df a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
PS. You won't find any blisters on my bottom!!!!!

I hope not, it's still in the water!




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Deano

United Kingdom
1843 Posts

Posted - 18 Nov 2013 :  20:34:14  Show Profile  Visit Deano's Homepage Send Deano a Private Message  Reply with Quote
We are comming to see you next year - Watch out.... Moorings sorted, transport sorted. Just need a way to avoid paying two river licences..... Sadly, winging it for a mont or two is just not an option.

Dean - Boating on the Great Ouse.
Freeman 32 "Liberty"
See the photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/54758027@N00/
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df

United Kingdom
5994 Posts

Posted - 18 Nov 2013 :  21:15:37  Show Profile  Visit df's Homepage Send df a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Where are you going to be mooring?




NBAS--The communal colostomy bag of the boating community.
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Deano

United Kingdom
1843 Posts

Posted - 18 Nov 2013 :  21:57:05  Show Profile  Visit Deano's Homepage Send Deano a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Stalham, up by Richardson's Yard. Easter to July. Then cruising for 5 weeks, a bit of sea stuff, Southwold maybe?? Then back home for the winter. Maybe on her bottom, depends on the weather window in August.
Watch out for the old boat, Silver Gem is now at Wayford!!!


Dean - Boating on the Great Ouse.
Freeman 32 "Liberty"
See the photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/54758027@N00/
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df

United Kingdom
5994 Posts

Posted - 19 Nov 2013 :  18:57:25  Show Profile  Visit df's Homepage Send df a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I won't be going north of yarmouth till next season now, a couple of short trips up there in a year is enough for me, too sodding busy in summer and the beer is dearer.
I'll stick to the south.....




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