FREELANCE
Photos & details from Nigel Drake (owner)
Freelance was designed and built in 1964 by Owen Woolley for Ken Williams, an Auckland builder (Nigel thinks from Papakura).
She lived on a mooring in the Clevedon river but spent the summers in Tutukaka where she was well known with the game fishing fraternity. In 1978 Ken built Freelance II, a 45 foot Salthouse design (now also in Tauranga) and sold Freelance to Richie Hoban of Tauranga. Richie owned her for 32 years until his death in 2010. During the 32 years the family owned her they spent nearly every summer on the boat in the Mercury Islands and Great Barrier.
In 2010 she was put up for sale and Nigel purchased her in 2011. After a major refit she now continues to live in the Tauranga Marina at Sulphur Point and cruises the northern coast during the summer.
as always click photos to enlarge
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Hi Mary. Nigel would love photos of FREELANCE. Please txt or ring him on 0274856411. Paul {Nigel’s brother}.
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I am the youngest of Ken & Margaret’s children – such incredible memories of my early childhood on the “old boat” (Freelance)… Nigel, if you’d like any photos or info please let me know 🙂
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Pingback: Freelance – Launch Day Oops | waitematawoodys.com #1 for classic wooden boat stories, info, advice & news – updated daily
ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!!!– & so fabulously kept as well a great credit to all who own & have owned her — KEN RICKETTS
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She still has a 160hp Cummins.
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Williams lived in Grove Road, Papakura. She was recorded by the APYMBA as having a 160hp Cummins and had dimensions of 40’x37’x11’6″x3’6″.
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