Freeman 43 Review, the Comfort-First Cat of 2022

Why Freeman built a 43 next to the 42

The Freeman 43 can look redundant at first. Freeman Boatworks already had the 42LR, the long-range cat that made the company's name with Venice charter captains and canyon crews. Yet in mid 2022 Freeman introduced the 43, billing it on its launch page as "the flagship Freeman 43" even though the larger 47, listed on Freeman's website since at least 2021, remained the biggest boat in the range. The reason for the 43 is in the seating chart rather than the length. The 42 is a fishing machine first. The 43 was built for owners who wanted a Freeman ride with more of the comfort found on luxury monohull center consoles: two rows of forward-facing helm seats, a glass windshield, an oversized hardtop and a more finished console.

Billy Freeman founded Freeman Boatworks in South Carolina in 2006 and built the first Freeman 33 in 2007. When the 43 launched, Freeman pitched it as the product of more than 15 years of ride and performance development, with the promise of combining luxury, fishability and comfort. It has stayed in the lineup since, alongside the 42 and the larger 47.

Dimensions, weight and 808 gallons

Freeman lists the 43 at 43 feet 5 inches long with a 12-foot 3-inch beam and a 24-inch draft. It weighs about 16,000 pounds dry with engines and 19,500 pounds ready to fish, so it is heavier than a 42LR but lighter than a 47. Bridge height is 9 feet 6 inches and trailer height with radar is 14 feet 4 inches.

Fuel capacity was listed at 805 gallons at launch and 808 gallons on later sheets, essentially the same as the 42's 800. Freeman's typical cruise figure is 45 mph at 0.9 mpg, which works out to about 50 gallons per hour and a theoretical reach of over 700 statute miles before reserve. That is more than enough for a run to the Bahamas and back or a long overnight canyon trip.

• LOA 43 ft 5 in, beam 12 ft 3 in, draft 24 in
• Dry weight with engines 16,000 lb; ready to fish 19,500 lb
• Fuel 808 gal (805 gal on the 2022 sheet)
• Maximum power 1,800 hp
• Builder cruise figure 45 mph at 0.9 mpg

Double-row seating and the glass windshield

The helm deck is what separates the 43 from Freeman's other big cats. The launch spec lists custom bolster-style helm seating in a double-row configuration, six forward-facing seats in all, under a deluxe XL hardtop with spreader lighting and speakers. A glass windshield with a wiper is standard, which makes long runs in spray far more civilized than behind a traditional curtain enclosure. The 53 by 20 inch dash takes a pair of 24-inch displays; Simrad was standard at launch with Garmin optional.

Behind the seats, a deluxe leaning post carries tackle storage, dual drink coolers and, on current boats, a grill station. Optional rear-facing seats, a rear-facing display for the cockpit, and a rocket launcher let owners tune the layout for cruising or tournament use.

Livewells, fish boxes and tournament kit

Comfort did not cost the 43 its fishing credentials. The 2022 equipment list included twin 510-quart gullwing coffin boxes with aluminum rod racks for eight rods, twin 500-quart below-deck fish boxes, twin 70-gallon pressurized transom livewells, port and starboard plumbed livewells with pump-out, and a forward integrated pitch-bait livewell. There are 24 Gemlux gunwale rod holders, ten more in the transom, six under-gunwale electric reel plugs, raw water washdown and outrigger bases.

Options include tuna tubes, kingfish rod holders, a center rigger, see-through livewell lids, a windlass with a stainless bow roller and a plumbed electric head with a holding tank. Freeman's current sheet lists 500-quart forward insulated boxes and 100 gallons of livewell capacity with pump-out, so check exactly how a used boat was configured.

Power choices and what to expect

Freeman rates the 43 for 1,800 hp and builds each boat to order, so the engine list varies. The rating is identical to the current 42 and 47, and on those boats the common route to the maximum is quad outboards in the 400 to 450 hp class. Buyers who care more about range and running costs than headline speed often choose less than maximum power.

Freeman does not publish a top speed for the 43, and we have not seen an independent instrumented test, so rely on the builder's cruise figure and your own sea trial. Ask for fuel flow data at several rpm settings with the exact engines and props you are considering.

Living with a 43-foot catamaran

A 12-foot 3-inch beam and 19,500 pounds ready to fish mean the 43 lives in the water or on a large lift. Wide-slip availability can be the hardest part of ownership in crowded marinas, so secure dockage before you order. We estimate annual costs of $55,000 to $110,000, covering insurance, a wide slip, service on four outboards, electronics, canvas and fuel, and more if you hire a captain or run a full tournament season.

Resale has historically been strong for Freeman's larger boats, helped by long build queues. The 43 is still young on the used market, so values are anchored more by the cost of ordering new than by depreciation curves.

42, 43 or 47, choosing the right big Freeman

Pick the 42 if you want the classic long-range fishing layout and its 800 gallons at a lower price; Freeman has added middle-row seating and an XL hardtop to the current 42, which narrows the comfort gap. Pick the 47 if you want more beam, 1,025 gallons and space inside the console for real downtime. The 43 sits between them as the comfort and style choice, with nearly the 42's fuel, a glass windshield and seating for six facing forward. For a family that fishes, it is arguably the most usable big Freeman.