Freeman vs. Invincible: 35–37-Foot Cats for Orange Beach Runs
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Why this comparison matters on our coast
I help a lot of boat-minded buyers who want a platform that can run from Orange Beach to the Spur or Nipple in comfort, then idle back into Terry Cove without drama. In that 35–37-foot sweet spot, two names come up constantly: Freeman and Invincible. Both build fast, capable cats with serious range and fishability. The right choice depends on how you use the boat and where you plan to keep it among our marinas and slips around Orange Beach and Ono Island.
The quick spec snapshot
| Model | LOA | Beam | Fuel | Draft (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freeman 35 | 35’10” | 11’6” | ~510 gal | ~24” | Max power ~1,200 hp; “ready to fish” ~16,500 lb |
| Freeman 37VH | ~37’2” | 11’6” | ~540 gal | ~21–22” | Dry weight published around 11,500 lb |
| Invincible 35 Cat | 36’0”–35’10” | ~11’8” | ~600+ gal | ~1’8” | Max power ~1,200 hp |
| Invincible 37 Cat | 37’2” | 12’0” | ~670 gal | ~18” | Max power ~1,800 hp |
Specs vary by year and options; verify on the exact hull you’re considering.
Approximate Pricing: Freeman vs Invincible 35–37′ Cats
| Model | Typical Asking Range (USD) | Year Range Observed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freeman 35 | $695,000 – $699,000 | 2024–2025 | Multiple new/near-new listings currently clustered around the high-$600Ks. |
| Freeman 37VH | $465,000 – $699,000 | 2016–2023 | Wide spread based on year, power, and rigging; several mid-$500Ks to high-$600Ks listings. |
| Invincible 35 Catamaran | $399,000 – $655,000 | 2020–2025 | Recent examples from late-$300Ks (older) to mid-$600Ks (newer). |
| Invincible 37 Catamaran | $389,000 – $799,000 | 2019–2024 | Orange Beach example at the upper end; older Florida boats at lower end. |
Notes: Ranges reflect current public asking prices (not closed sales) from YachtWorld/Boat Trader as of November 3, 2025. Power (300–400 hp class), electronics, livewell packages, and tower/second station options materially affect price. Larger sample snapshots show Freeman 37VH listings spanning roughly mid-$400Ks to mid-$700Ks on Boat Trader as well.
If you’d like me to sanity-check a specific hull against slip width, draft, and your offshore run profile from Orange Beach or Ono Island, email me at meredith@searchthegulf.com or start at www.searchthegulf.com.
How they ride in our conditions
Freeman built its following on a soft, planted ride at speed and excellent head-sea manners. The 37VH’s vented/variable-deadrise approach is tuned for running quick across sloppy Gulf chop, which is why I see so many Freemans staging at Orange Beach Marina when the plan is a long outbound line. The boats hold plane easily, keep crews fresher on back-quartering days, and feel very settled when loaded with ice and gear.
Invincible tapped Morrelli & Melvin for its cat hulls. The semi-asymmetrical sponsons are designed to lean into turns, which many captains describe as more “monohull-like” when you’re carving around bait or repositioning on a spot. That trait shows up when you snake through the Pass in traffic or swing tight around a weedline. It’s a noticeable difference if you’re used to older, flatter-turning cats.
Speed, range, and fuel
Both brands will run comfortably in the 40s and can touch 70+ with the right power. In the 35–37 bracket, Invincible typically carries a touch more fuel than the comparable Freeman. If you routinely make 100- to 140-mile round trips to rigs or roam between the Elbow and Spur, that extra capacity is handy. Freeman counters with efficiency and a light, fast hull feel that many owners love. On paper and on water, either can give you genuine 300–500-mile operating days with conservative planning and smart throttling.
Decks, livewells, and real fishability
Both builders are tournament-proven. Freeman’s cockpits feel wide-open with smart under-deck storage and very clean rigging. Invincible sets up beautifully for live-bait programs with generous livewell options and easy bilge access. If your Orange Beach routine is big-bait trolling one week and bottom fishing the next, you’ll be happy either way. Your choice is more about how you like the helm ergonomics, coffin box vs. forward seating, and the detail work around rigging and washdowns on the specific hull.
Handling the practicals: beam, slips, and draft
At ~11’6” to 12’ of beam, neither boat is a simple trailer proposition, so think in terms of a dedicated slip and a forklift plan if you dry stack. Both draw roughly 18–24 inches, which is friendly for our bays and back-bay marinas, but a cat’s wide tunnel can slap if you sprint through tight chop at the wrong angle. Around Perdido Pass, I like both brands for their predictable manners at idle and while jockeying in current.
Build process, lead times, and service
Freeman is build-to-order in relatively low volume. That scarcity contributes to strong demand and, historically, longer waits. Invincible sells through a broader dealer network with well-publicized ownership support and, in many cases, shorter paths to delivery depending on your spec. If you want a new boat for next season, that availability difference can be decisive. If you’re patient and hunting a particular Freeman spec, the used market in our region can be surprisingly active and holds value well.
35 vs 37: which size is smarter here?
35-foot class: Easier to place in a tight marina, a touch more nimble in the bays, and plenty of Gulf reach for most runs. If you split time between offshore days and Ono Island sandbar afternoons with friends, the 35 often feels like the right balance.
37-foot class: Greater fuel, cockpit, and storage. When you fish hard, make longer runs, or run more often in sporty conditions, the 37 buys you margin. If you regularly stage for tournament departure mornings in Orange Beach and want the extra range and payload, 37 is the comfortable choice.
So which is best?
Both are outstanding. If your priority is a famously soft offshore ride with a cult-level following and you’re comfortable with a more bespoke purchase process, Freeman is hard to beat. If you value lean-in handling, a dealer-network ownership experience, and typically a bit more fuel in this class, Invincible makes a compelling case. On our coast, I tend to recommend the 37 to frequent bluewater anglers and the 35 to owners who want a slightly smaller footprint around the docks without giving up real Gulf range.
Let’s match a hull to your slip and your runs
I’m happy to compare specific hulls against your slip width, marina plan, and typical routes.. When it’s time to list or buy, I’ll leverage my network and current inventory to find the right boat and the right deal. Start a conversation at meredith@searchthegulf.com, or explore coastal properties and boat-savvy homes at www.searchthegulf.com.
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