Freeman Boat Works ~ A Family’s Realization of the American Dream

29 Wednesday Jul 2020

Posted by “Oh Captain My Captain” in From the Writing Room

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AGLCA, Beautiful boats, Blog, Boating, Boats, CruisingTheICW, Education, Family, Fishing, Fishing boats, Freeman 42, Friends, Last Mango, Life, Quotes, Relationships

July 29, 2020. Jimmy Buffett wanted a fast, smooth-riding, fishing machine — which is precisely what Billy Freeman builds. Making Buffett’s dream a reality started right here in the Lowcountry.

Last Mango

Billy Freeman does not build boats with a wheelhouse, but a wheelhouse makes Last Mango a lot more comfortable for Captain Vinnie LaSorsa to cruise between Jimmy’s favorite fishing holes. Jimmy Buffett wanted the Freeman ride and performance, but with a “house.” Last Mango is a collaboration of two great companies — our hometown hero’s company, Freeman Boat Works and Merritt Boat & Engine Works, of Pompano Beach, FL. Soundings Magazine, Power and Motoryacht Magazine, and Billy and Sally Freeman can tell the story much better than me, so I hope you enjoy the videos linked below. Last, but not least, in the videos, watch for the incredible artistry of Fort Lauderdale maritime artist Monique Richter, who transformed the interior of the Last Mango’s cabin into beautiful faux teak finish.

As for me, I can’t wait until our son-in-law, a good friend of Billy and Sally’s, takes delivery of his new Freeman 37 next spring!

The Evolution of Speed ~ Jimmy Buffett’s Custom Freeman 42

Power and Motoryacht Magazine interview about Jimmy Buffett’s Freeman, Last Mango.

The “Last Mango” is truly a work of art.

Only in America could a young visionary start from scratch, teach himself boat building, and achieve the success of Billy Freeman.

The Freeman Story ~ Worth taking time to watch

I will never forget one Sunday afternoon, a few years ago, when Carolyn and I stopped by stopped by Billy and Sally’s home, while cycling. Billy took us into the garage shown in the video, to see the progress on his very first Freeman.

He is a Mount Pleasant “boy” that has done something incredible. It’s the American dream!

“You’re never given a wish without also being given the power to make it true. You may have to work at it, however.”

From Illusions, The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah

By Richard Bach

Oh Captain My Captain

“Dwell as near as possible to the channel in which your life flows.” ― Henry David Thoreau

29 Friday May 2020

Posted by “Oh Captain My Captain” in A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words, From the helm, Thinking Outside The Boat

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Atlantic Yacht Basin, Beaufort NC, Belfast ME Harbor Fest, Belhaven NC, Boating, Bridge Tender Marina, Coinjock Marina & Restaurant, Coinjock Marina & Restaurant PRIME RIB, Cruising canines, Dismal Swamp Canal, Food, Life, Marinas, Quotes, Restaurants, Spoon River Artworks and Market, T.W. Graham & Company Seafood Restaurant, The Big Tuna

Friday, May 29, 2020. I used to associate Thoreau’s quote with time spent aboard our old Cargile Cutter Cruiser, “SunSmiles.” And then, along came grandchildren. Know what I mean?

Today, “SunSmiles” is history, the little Mainship 34T, “Slow Dance” has replaced “her,” and our grandchildren have reached the age where Nana and Poppa are not their #1 priority — which means that the “channel in which our life flows” is evolving back to time split between grandchildren and cruising. Now, it appears COVID-19 restrictions may dictate our summer 2020 destinations and schedule. BUT, at least we have wonderful memories of summers past, and making plans for the future.

Have you planned your summer cruising or vacation schedule? Will you be CruisingTheICW, cruising with your cruising club, or simply enjoying time on the water with family and friends. At CruisingTheICW, we would love for you to share your favorite cruising destinations, marinas, restaurants, attractions, festivals and events, with us.

Here is a collage of pics from some of our travels. Recognize any of them?

Where will your life be flowing this weekend? This summer?

The beauty of a sunset to end a day of cruising.

Nothing like stretching out on the bow after a good dinner.

Leaving Coinjock, NC

Coinjock Marina’s “world famous” PRIME RIB DINNER!!!

The beautiful “Lady Kath” spent the night off our bow, in Coinjock.

Leaving the Great Bridge lock

“Pretty maids all in a row” at AYB, as we idle past the face dock and head to Hampton.

Southbound for parts unknown

Spoon River Artworks & Market dining room

Belhaven’s finest restaurant

What better day than Saturday to remember the incredible “fresh off the boat” fried shrimp dinner at T.W. Graham’s in the little fishing village of McClellanville, SC., on the ICW north of historic Charleston.

Atlantic Yacht Basin

When we leave the South Mills Lock, we’ll be in the Dismal Swamp Canal. In the left of the picture you see the dreaded Duck Weed floating on the surface of the water. While we saw Duck Weed thru parts of the canal, when I checked the Slow Dance’s raw water strainers at the Welcome Center, very little of the Duck Weed was ingested into the raw water system.

Cruising’s a chance to catch up with old friends, and relive our younger days when our favorite transportation was our Austin-Healey 3000s

The BIG TUNA in Georgetown, SC

Belfast, ME Harbor Festival

A flea market treasure

Our incredible “dock mate” in Beaufort, SC

Shrimp boat’s acomin’

“Conch Man,” the lockmaster loves conchs — and can actually play them! He was a pleasure to meet, as professional as he was personable.

There are those times the “Admiral” enjoys sitting out on the bow and enjoying the solitude and scenery.

Cruising together from Camden, NC to the Dismal Swamp Canal

When the bridge opens, we’ll pass thru, and on to the lock, meet “Conch Man,” hear a tune, and then pass on thru the lock and end our cruise of the Dismal Swamp Canal.