Design and Construction
The Freeward 30 adopted a double-ended hull form drawn from traditional North Sea fishing boats, intended to deliver their sturdy sea-keeping character anchor. That working hull gained a pronounced sheer and finer ends. A long keel brought balance for the sloop rig, and deep bulwarks kept the crew safe on deck. The concept retained the easy sailing motion of yachts launched by Millers and other Scottish yards.
Rig and Handling
The sloop rig was a straightforward masthead arrangement balanced by the long keel, giving good directional stability in a sea-way. With a waterline length of 24.93 feet and displacement of 14,555 pounds, the 29.99-foot hull moved with the deliberation of a heavy coastal cruiser, and the 6.69-knot hull speed reflected that steady character.
Accommodations
The boat's 9.48-foot beam and 4.27-foot draft placed it in the traditional cruiser band, with deep bulwarks and a pronounced sheer speaking to crew security in rough water. The double-ended form prioritized seaworthiness over a pointed-transom lazarette.
Known Issues
The Freeward 30 shows no structural defects or systemic failures across its early service history. The early production run is marked only by the later name change to Fisher.
Refits and Ownership
David Freeman and Gordon Wyatt marketed the concept to established builders and yards before closer work with David Skellon yielded the first sold boats. The renaming to Fisher marks the design's transition out of the Freeward badge.
The Verdict
The Freeward 30 is a traditional double-ended cruiser executed as a sea-kindly, directionally stable sloop on a long keel.
Pros
- Double-ended hull with North Sea fishing-boat sea-keeping character
- Long keel balanced the sloop rig for good directional stability
- Deep bulwarks for crew safety
- Easy sailing motion retained from Scottish-yard tradition
Cons
- Early-name example only; later renamed Fisher
- Interior arrangement not detailed by available authority material
