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How Fleming’s 55-Foot Cruiser Became One of the Boating World’s Most Successful Designs

The fleming 55 is in a category of one among offshore cruisers, sporting the same exterior and hull as its 1986 debut., howard walker, howard walker's most recent stories.

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The Fleming 55 motoryacht is still going strong after 36 years.

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Of course, there have been some modifications. While the hull, superstructure and structural layout of the interior have changed little since the original design, the interior design has constantly evolved to reflect the wish lists of the 55’s intrepid band of owners to stay in sync with contemporary fashion trends.

The Fleming 55 motoryacht is still going strong after 36 years.

“It’s a lot like Porsche’s 911. The silhouette is the same but pretty much everything else has changed,” says Kevin Althoff, brand specialist with Fleming East Coast dealer Burr Yacht Sales, the world’s top Fleming seller.

Except for the interior-exterior comparison, the Fleming 55 is nothing like the Porsche 911. It was designed as a no-nonsense, long-distance cruiser that two people, typically a couple, could handle alone, without crew, with an offshore hull that could take on big seas, while also voyaging for thousands of miles on a single tank of diesel. It fueled the dreams of hundreds of intrepid cruisers who wanted to see the world on their terms.

Adding to the appeal, the 55’s semi-displacement hull from American naval architect Larry Drake has also passed the test of time. That distinctive, flared bow keeps the decks dry even in gnarly seas, while the long, deep keel not only protects the props in skinny water and helps the yacht track straight, especially in following seas.

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And harking back to the Porsche 911 analogy, it’s the mechanical improvements that have helped the 55 stay modern and relevant in today’s crowded cruiser market. The latest 55s come with Cummins QSC 500-hp common-rail turbo diesels that can punch the 68,000-pound Fleming to a very un-trawler-like 21 mph.

Throttle back to a typical 11-mph cruising speed, and the efficiency of the Cummins delivers a miserly fuel burn of just 10 gallons per hour, or a gallon per mile. Ease down to 9 mph and the 55 will run for over 2,000 miles on a tank.

“It’s this duality our owners love. The ability to cruise near silently and economically at low speeds, yet if the weather takes a turn for the worst, there’s the speed to get you home fast,” says Althoff.

Inside, it’s all old-world elegance and craftsmanship, with lovely satin-varnished cabinetry and teak-and-holly floors mixed with contemporary fabrics and upholstery.

The rather narrow main salon opens out onto the roughly 250-square-foot rear deck, which is big enough for a party. At the forward end is the well-equipped U-shaped galley in the favored “galley-up” location.

The salon also comes with one of our favorite features, a dumb waiter that shuttles food and beverages to the flybridge, avoiding the need to carry everything up steps. That’s probably a one-of-a-kind feature for a 55-footer.

Below-decks, the layout is essentially unchanged from the original design. That means a long, central corridor with twin-berth cabins on either side. The rather cramped master cabin pushed up into the bow is one of the yacht’s few drawbacks.

Fleming responded to criticisms of that tight master by introducing the Fleming 58 in 2012, which could be specified with a spacious master cabin amidships across the full beam. Despite that, the 55 continues to be the brand’s best-seller.

Which proves that bigger isn’t always better. Even after 36 years of production, and a price that starts at just over $3 million, there’s still a three-year waiting list for the iconic 55.

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Tony Fleming: Back in Alaska on Venture

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Tony Fleming, the founder of Fleming Yachts, is one of the most experienced, and capable, cruising people I know. Over the years, Tony also has developed a worldwide following for the writing, photos and videos based on his voyages on Venture , his personal Fleming 65. Here’s his latest, starting in Auke Bay, near Sitka, Alaska.

June 24th Friday

We arise just after 0600 and leave for the fuel dock at 0735. We take on 475 usg @ $5.52 per gallon. We depart Auke Bay fuel dock at 0810. We pass the small town of Hoona which has three cruise ships moored at its docks. We also notice new facilities such as a cable car with gondolas rising high up into mist-shrouded mountains and what has been billed as the fastest zip line in the world. We continue past Hoona into Port Frederick and anchor in the North Bight of Neka Bay. During the day the clouds dissipate and turn into a beautiful evening with distant peaks reflected in still waters.

June 25th Saturday

Up anchor 0833. We retrace our route out of the anchorage and over the glassy waters of Port Frederick towards Hoonah.

(Seen below: Drone shot of Venture underway in Frederick Sound.)

Drone shot of Venture underway in Frederick Sound

Chris suggests this would be a good opportunity for a drone shot of Venture proceeding through mirror still waters but the surface is ruffled by the time the drone takes to the air. We have cell phone coverage off Hoona but not sufficient to connect to the internet. We turn left into Icy Strait and need to cross to the other side to stay out of the way of a small cruise ship. We have distant views of the magnificent coastal mountains. We pass Lemesurier Island and are heading for Dundas as our evening’s destination when Chris suggests we take advantage of the rare calm conditions and head instead to Lituya Bay.

After some discussion we decide to at least take a look at the sea conditions in the Gulf.  We could already just see Cape Spencer light house in the distance through binoculars. So…. sharp left turn into Cross Strait and we head towards the open waters which are already within line of sight from our present position. When we reach the open sea, the sky is a clear blue but the wind is gusting to 20 knots from the north-east – our direction of travel!

We decide to proceed but we will arrive too early at the tricky entrance into Lituya Bay some forty miles away so we turn into Dick’s Arm which appears on the chart to be dramatically narrow with steep contours on either side. It turns out to be a lovely spot extremely peaceful compared the boisterous conditions outside its narrow rock-strewn entrance.  We anchor at the end of the inlet and enjoy an early afternoon tea while we wait so that we will arrive off the entrance to Lituya bay at around slack water at 2200. On the way back out of the Dicks Arm we spot a mother brown bear with two cubs. One stood up to get a better view of us but his mother paid us no attention and continues browsing on sedge grass.

(Seen below: Mother brown bear with cub in Dick’s Arm inlet.)

Mother brown bear with cub in Dick’s Arm inlet

The weather is against us and the seas are choppy with volumes of wind-blown spray hurling itself against the windshield. A commercial fish boat also heading north behind us calls on radio. He is heading to Valdez in Prince William Sound so he has a long way to go. The coastal mountains are staggeringly beautiful and dominated by Mount FaIrweather which rises 15,300 feet straight up from the sea.

We pass LePerouse glacier – named after the French Admiral who in 1786 suffered a calamity in Lituya Bay. It is hard to stop taking photos and video. Finally we arrive off the entrance to Lituya Bay marked by a couple of conical hills named The Paps. The seas are somewhat rough and the far range marker is not visible but we have no problems following the course on the chart. We drop anchor at 2200 just ahead of sunset officially listed at 2223. Read more:

https://www.flemingyachts.com/tonys-adventures/venture-blog-2-from-auke-bay-to-close-by-sitka?fbclid=IwAR2pQokZzpY7_Eb-WOGg4inBxPwjFd1eZ0kbyjVblpJxnOdutJqqkFGXVvc

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About Tony Fleming

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Interview with Tony Fleming

Over the years Tony Fleming has been asked many of the same questions by prospective buyers and journalists about his yachts. Recently he found the time to compile a list of these questions and answers, and the attached document highlights what he feels to be the most important features of "the ultimate cruising yacht.

Videos have been made of Tony Fleming's journeys in the Venture and Venture II. Some of the most recent Venture trips include extensive travels to such places as Antarctica, the North Pole, Sahara Desert and a train ride across Siberia.

Tony's memoirs, Riding the Tide , are now available both as a printed book and on Kindle. Neither version contains photos but, being an inveterate photographer all his life, Tony has created short videos containing photos and film which make a compelling visual companion to the written word. These videos can be accessed through the Vimeo link listed above and are still an ongoing work in progress.

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40 Years of Fleming Yachts History

Fleming Yachts have a classic look but they are always at the cutting edge in design and equipment.

1985 was a big year for yachtsmen and adventurers the world over. Against a background of international political turmoil, records were set for everything from speed to size (not to mention some wild trends in interiors). At home, the nation watched Apollo take out the Sydney to Hobart (again). The fourth ever edition of what’s now known as the Volvo Ocean Race started out from Southampton. And that same year, in another corner of the world, a future international legend was quietly born. 

European and American boat yards may be somewhat historical homes for the development of cruising yachts, but in 1985, founder Tony Fleming was looking to the future. At the time, the business of building yachts in Taiwan was only really a few decades old, yet the local industry was already developing an incredible reputation for quality and finesse. Along with business partner Anton Emmerton, Fleming handpicked the Tung Hwa boat yard as the facility in which to create the very first Fleming 55.

Tung Hwa is located in Kaohsiung, on the south end of the island. Kaohsiung is today broadly considered south east Asia’s hub for yacht construction. Local yards in Taiwan produce the majority of the 50-plus foot yachts in the world today. And while Kaohsiung is the third biggest city in the country today, back in the ‘80s it was still on its way up from its roots as a tiny port town. And Fleming Yachts was going to be a part of the rise, with the evolution of the Fleming 55.

The original mould for this model was built for a 55-foot yacht, but the first eight of these were actually 50 feet — built with slightly shorter cockpits. By the mid ‘90s, this had been extended out to 55, and by the late ‘90s over 100 had been delivered to customers worldwide. The very first arrived in Australia in 2001, marking the launch of the brand here.

fleming yachts wiki

It’s easy to see why this model was such an early customer favourite when you look at the technical flexibility. With a range of 2,000 nautical miles at eight knots, she can still hit a top speed of around 18 knots, though most owners tend to stick around ten for longer passages. Of course, the design has also come a long way since the very first was completed in 1986. Hundreds of incremental improvements have been made, incorporating the latest in advanced yachting technology, to produce a modern yacht that’s evolved with the times. And that’s not even touching on the addictive aesthetic. Back in 2012, Trade a Boat magazine noted that “the class isn't intangible; you can see it in the depth of the paintwork and the quality of the fittings. Take one step aboard, through the wide gate in the side bulwark and you're hooked forever — much like sliding into the back seat of a Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost”. Over 250 have now been produced for owners across the globe, and over a dozen of those are cruising in Australia.

Fleming 75 

The first Fleming 75 was launched in 2000, the result of customer demand for a larger model, and years of input to kick the engineering excellence and effortless elegance up a notch. The evolution didn’t stop there; 10 years later, it was upgraded to a 78, with a slightly longer hull and keel, to reduce fuel consumption and increase range. Smart and artful. While the Fleming 78 is considered the ‘ultimate Fleming’ by owners around the globe, we’re yet to see any grace Aussie waters.

Not content with resting on the laurels earned by the 55 and 78, the next Fleming model was launched in 2005. It’s probably a pretty good sign when the very first of a new model is snapped up by the founder themselves. But even without the well-documented adventures of Tony Fleming’s VENTURE, there was enough demand for five 65s to have been delivered within the year. It probably helped that Yachts magazine voted the Fleming 65 best in her class *in the world* for 2006. But quite apart from the international recognition, engineering obsessives have appreciated the considerable upgrade in interior and deck space compared with the 55. Further testing and evaluation of refinements (by Tony himself on Venture) has led to an impressive list of new items available on production models. The brand’s official VR tour of hull 65-051 is a must-see if you’re ready to daydream about being miles away from lockdowns on land in an unimaginably spacious master suite.

fleming yachts wiki

The very first Fleming 65 landed in Australia not long after, in 2010. In fact, it was brought in by the same lucky owners who’d acquired the first 55 here. Today, there are four Fleming 65s around the country. 

fleming yachts wiki

2006 also marked the year that Tony Fleming stepped up to his next adventure. Fleming handed over the reigns in Kaohsiung to his nephew, engineer Adi Shard, his daughter Nicky, and experienced engineer (and yacht captain) Duncan Cowie, who’d joined the team in 2001. From her new home in Newport Beach, California, VENTURE explored destinations around North, Central and South America, from BC and Alaska, down to Mexico, the Galapagos, through the Panama Canal and back up the east coast up to Nova Scotia and PEI. At the time it was called “the world’s most extensive sea trial”, leading to many of the aforementioned improvements to the 65 since first launch. 

Fleming Yachts had to do something big to mark their 25th anniversary in 2013. So with a ton of research and input from dozens of owners, they created the Fleming 58. This new model represented the perfect balance between the strengths of the 55 and 65. However, to get it right required not just a few adjustments, but re-engineering from the keel up. 

Naval architects Norman Wright and Sons, based here in Brisbane, were selected for their expertise in hull design and tank testing. The (adorable) 1/12 scale model was built and tested in Tassie, making the Aussie contribution to Fleming heritage more significant than ever. While the first (full size) Fleming 58 didn’t arrive in here until 2017, there are now a couple of them making up the contingent in Australia.

fleming yachts wiki

When we checked out the 58, we noted the builder mentioned that “the design of the hull and increased waterline length will deliver fuel consumption similar to the Fleming 55” but that “a 50 per cent increase in tankage over the smaller sibling greatly increases the 58’s range”. It’s not just the extra tankage that’s stacked on this model. The cockpit is bigger by a couple of square metres, there’s crucial extra room in the saloon, and space for a freezer, fridge and barbie. Of course, with a variety of layout options, it’s up to new owners how they make the most of this space. 

Fleming 85 

With the latest model in the Fleming range, the 85, engineers had the (incredibly modest) mission of creating “literally the finest possible ocean going pilothouse motor yacht, in every respect.” So, apparently no slowing down for this pioneering team with less than 30 years’ production on the board, but hundreds of years of combined experience and expertise. Not to mention extensive CFD technology, thorough fine-tuning and testing to ensure the performance lives up to all promises.

When Trade a Boat reviewed the 85 last year, they noted that “the Fleming 85 has come a long way from the downeast lobster boats from which it borrows nautical styling”. Not just because of the deck space or the flexibility of getting your 85 with either an open flybridge or enclosed pilothouse, depending on your entertaining preferences. It’d have to be a pretty fancy lobster boat to have this kind of cream leather upholstery, flawless blonde wood panelling and tasteful finishes. It’s not just meticulously engineered, it’s classy. The exclusivity is real; there are only a few of these in the world at present, and one on order for a lucky owner in Australia. 

fleming yachts wiki

The Fleming 85 is the latest in a line that represents a dedication to classic looks, whilst being at the cutting edge of design and equipment. But it’s certainly not the end of the line. Tony’s voyages on the VENTURE II continue ( check out the Fleming Yachts YouTube for some serious cruising inspiration ). Fleming owners continue to post some of the most stunning content from all corners of the map, whilst delivering further performance feedback that’s going straight into next generation designs.

fleming yachts wiki

There are currently over 340 Flemings worldwide. By the end of this year, 27 of them will be cruising in Australia. With a growing base of loyal owners, and a string of international accolades, it’s well on its way to becoming a contemporary classic in its class.

Meet the Fleming Yachts Australian Team

Fleming Yachts’ Aussie contingent consists of Egil Paulsen and Samuel Nicholas. They’re supported by a team of contractors who help deliver specialist services to Fleming owners around the country. Both are long-term Fleming followers, Paulsen the proud owner of a 55 himself, Nicholas having cruised aboard a 55 in Scandinavian waters may times. They’re proud to have been part of bringing the current 23 Flemings to Australia.

fleming yachts wiki

The Australian team maintain strong relationships with the current unit that run the building operations in Taiwan. Up-to-the-minute communication helps them offer the highest levels of personal service and technical insight to clients. It’s also telling that Paulsen has a close relationship with founder Tony Fleming, and introduced director Duncan Cowie to him. This close-knit group are prepared for a bright future for Fleming Yachts in Australia, along with loyal owners. Don’t hesitate to pay them a visit at E pier and experience “the ultimate cruising yachts” for yourself.

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Fleming Yachts Shipyard History

Construction of Fleming Yachts began at the Tung Hwa boat yard in southern Taiwan in 1985 under the personal supervision of Tony Fleming. Today, all Fleming Yachts continue to be built by Tung Hwa and are sold through a network of authorized dealers in the United States, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Japan

A Timeline of Milestones

fleming yachts wiki

Tony Fleming served as the technical director of American Marine in Hong Kong, builder of the Grand Banks line of trawler yachts. He was largely responsible for the development of these well-known yachts and later organized the company's new yard in Singapore, becoming its General Manager.

Tony left American Marine and, with his business partner Anton Emmerton, worked with an American naval architect, Larry Drake of San Diego, California, to develop an all-new pilothouse design. Tony and Anton visited Taiwan in the summer of 1985 to research the best boat yard to build what would eventually become the Fleming 55. The Tung Hwa facility located near Kaohsiung was selected, and work on hull number one began. Although the original mold was built for a 55-foot yacht, the first boats were 50-feet - having a shorter cockpit but otherwise similar to the later 53's and 55's.

fleming yachts wiki

Starting with hull number 9, the length was extended to 53-feet and eventually to 55-feet. By 1997 over 100 Fleming 55s had been delivered, and customer demand for a larger model led to the development of the Fleming 75. The first Fleming 75 was launched in 2000. In 1998, Tony Fleming's nephew, Adi Shard, a young graduate engineer from England, joined the company and moved to Kaohsiung to work side by side with his uncle.

In 2001 Duncan Cowie joined the company, his background in aviation engineering and previous experience as a yacht captain proved to be of great value. The popularity of the Fleming line continued to grow and, again driven by customer demand, this led to the development of another new model - the Fleming 65. Launched in 2005, hull number one was spoken for by Tony himself, and he began to turn over the day-to-day operation of Fleming Yachts to his management team which included his nephew, Adi Shard, Duncan Cowie, and his daughter, Nicky Fleming. Tony named his new Fleming 65, VENTURE, and embarked on a series of adventures which he refers to as his "voyages of personal discovery." By 2006, Fleming Yachts had delivered 170 Fleming 55s, 12 Fleming 75s and five 65s.

fleming yachts wiki

With well over 200 Flemings cruising the world, the company continued to focus on refining and improving its three models. In 2007 Tsai Chan joined Fleming Yachts as the QC Manager responsible for carrying out stage checks, testing, and final inspection on all new Fleming's. His can-do attitude and attention to detail have made him a key member of our small team. A year later in 2008 the team was once again added to when Simon Culling joined Fleming Yachts as the QA Manager. His responsibilities include product compliance, technical documentation and after sales service/support. Simon has vast ocean going experience and was a navigator in the British Army for 20 years running 75 meter landing craft, and later worked as principle at the largest powerboat training school in UK. Boating journalists and owners have lauded Fleming as "the ultimate cruising yacht" and Tony Fleming proved them correct. From her homeport of Newport Beach, California, Tony's VENTURE explored British Columbia, Alaska, Mexico, and the Galapagos Islands before transiting the Panama Canal. She then traveled up the East Coast to the St. Lawrence Seaway by way of Lake Ontario. After visiting Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia, she made her way down the East Coast to winter in Annapolis, Maryland. This 20,000 mile voyage has been called the world's most extensive sea trial, as it allowed Tony to test and refine many new ideas and equipment. After completing this exciting voyage, Tony decided to commission an all-new Fleming 65, VENTURE II, which incorporated several new, innovative features resulting from his extensive cruising experience. After appearing at the Southampton Boat Show in England, Tony cruised VENTURE II extensively throughout Europe and in the summer of 2010 completed an exciting circumnavigation of Iceland. He continued to cruise extensively in the original VENTURE and, during the summer of 2011 took her to the Queen Charlotte Islands in the Pacific Northwest.

2011 also marked the 25th Anniversary of Fleming yachts and coincided with the publication of the second edition of Fleming's magazine, VENTURER. Described as "A Fleming Publication for Cruising Enthusiasts," it has received rave reviews from Fleming owners throughout the world. While the global economy had a negative effect on sales, the Fleming brand enjoyed continued success and with special interest in both Australia and New Zealand. All three models continued to benefit from evolutionary refinement with new features and layouts being offered. Responding to feedback from loyal Fleming owners and dealers, Fleming Yachts embarked on a completely new design, the Fleming 58. With everything the 55 had to offer plus, being 30% larger in displacement, considerably more space. Plans were drawn and redrawn, a model was tank tested and the lengthy tooling process was followed by construction of the first boat which was completed in Summer 2013. By mid-2014, Fleming had completed and shipped 58-005 and had secured retail orders up to 58-011 - thus proving the success of the new design and demonstrating continued faith in the brand. Tony continues his travels and, in 2012, took VENTURE to Glacier Bay in Alaska and the following year even further north to Prince William Sound.

fleming yachts wiki

2016 - 2018

In 2016, Tony revisited Prince William Sound and traveled further afield to Kodiak and Dutch Harbor. This year Tony is cruising to Idaho on Venture, up the Columbia and Snake rivers. His blogs can be found on the main website here . Australian Laser sailor Tom Burton, sponsored by Fleming Yachts, wins the gold medal at the Rio Olympic Games. 2017 saw the launch of the Fleming 78 "Classic." This new version of our flagship model has the same hull and deck as the original 78, but has an entirely new single level, low profile flybridge design. Among the many improvements on the flybridge include more comfortable seating, a BBQ, fridge, icemaker, freezer and entertainment center. The davit is positioned aft so that the tender can launched over either side or off the stern. The systems have all been upgraded to include the latest technology for safety and convenience. The Tung Hwa yard in Taiwan has made significant upgrades and investments in new equipment and buildings to better facilitate production for the expanding Fleming line. This commitment to Fleming has helped speed up production times with better accessibility and storage for inventory and parts.

fleming yachts wiki

2019 - Present

Fleming Yachts continues to sponsor Australian Laser sailor Tom Burton and is also sponsoring USA Laser sailor Leo Boucher. At the time of writing the 250th Fleming 55 is under construction and there are now over 340 Fleming's cruising worldwide.

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Sum of Its Parts: Fleming 55

  • By George Sass Sr.
  • Updated: September 9, 2011

fleming yachts wiki

In my lifetime, a small handful of production boats have become true classics, if not legends. The Bertram 31, Grand Banks 42, Hinckley Bermuda 40 and Hatteras 53 come to mind and are examples of designs that enjoyed lengthy, successful production runs. Long after they were discontinued, they have remained popular on the brokerage market, sometimes commanding premium prices.

Among these recent classics, one model remains in production today. Hull No. 212 of the Fleming 55 was delivered in April 2011, and a number of new 55s are in production at Fleming ‘s yard in Taiwan ( see the gallery with detail photos here ). First launched in 1985, the Fleming 55 owes its longevity not only to its successful design, but also to the company’s commitment to making improvements to each hull it builds.

Duncan Cowie and Adi Shard, the talented Brits who have taken over the management of the company from its founder, Tony Fleming, say each new Fleming 55 incorporates eight to 10 improvements over the previous hull. Based on building an average of 10 55s per year, the math equates to 400 to 500 changes over just a five-year period.

fleming yachts wiki

Keeping this classic up to date is largely the result of the relationship among the factory, Fleming’s dealers and its owners. Chuck Hovey Yachts on the West Coast and Burr Yacht Sales on the East Coast have been Fleming’s only dealers in the United States since the brand’s earliest days. Along with Fleming’s select dealers in Canada and Europe, they have a valuable, historical understanding of the product. “I can’t remember how many times a customer has asked ‘What if we did this?’” comments Ray Currey of Burr Yacht Sales. “Some of these suggestions make very good sense, and we pass them along to the factory to be considered for future production.”

While Fleming embraces new ideas and technology, the company is quick to point out that it makes changes only after thorough research and sea trials, as opposed to catering to whims and fancies. For example, the 55’s centerline hallway leading to three staterooms and two heads all on one level is a hallmark of Fleming’s design. This arrangement eliminates steep, hard-to-negotiate stairways needed to accommodate a midships master stateroom — a feature that may seem attractive but which creates unintended design consequences. Also sacred to Fleming’s design is its dedicated pilothouse, which is three steps up from the ship’s living area. Because one does not pass through the pilothouse to the staterooms or heads below, the ship’s operation is undisturbed while guests freely enjoy the yacht’s living and sleeping areas.

Likewise, the Fleming’s semidisplacement hull design, with its sharp entry, rounded bilge sections forward, hard chines aft and moderate deadrise, has proven itself to be comfortable, seaworthy and efficient throughout its cruising-speed range of 8 to 18 knots. With so many Fleming 55s safely cruising throughout the world, the company knows it has a winner and has not changed its basic hull design Likewise, most of Fleming’s owners use their yachts the way Tony Fleming originally intended — for coastal and offshore cruising. The company keeps an open line of communication with its owners, who are only too happy to share their personal tips and tricks, the best of which have been incorporated into production. And last but not least, Tony Fleming continues to cruise the world’s oceans on his personal Fleming, vigorously testing new ideas and equipment. ( See more of these adventures here .)

fleming yachts wiki

The complexity of today’s Fleming 55 is a far cry from when Tony Fleming launched his first hull. To ensure that its boats comply with all current safety and construction standards, as well as federal regulations, Fleming has taken a major step forward in having its new boats certified by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA).

The NMMA certification process was no casual undertaking; it required rigorous inspections of the company’s facility in Taiwan as well as finished boats located in Maryland and Vancouver, British Columbia. In addition, all Fleming models will now be inspected on an annual basis. NMMA-certified boats must also meet the stringent standards of ABYC (American Boat & Yacht Council), as well as comply with Environmental Protection Agency requirements for emissions and wastewater systems.

While all boats sold in the United States must meet U.S. Coast Guard minimum regulations, NMMA-certified boats, like the Fleming 55, benefit from this vigorous, third-party inspection program. Tony Fleming must have known from the beginning that he had a winner in his Fleming 55. But only through a consistent program of upgrading, improving and refining the original has it reached its current status of a thoroughly modern living legend.

Fleming Yachts, 949-645-1024; www.flemingyachts.com

_ Read more about Fleming’s yachts._

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IMAGES

  1. Fleming Yachts

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  2. Fleming Yachts: One of the worlds most successful Yacht Stories

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  3. Our History

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  4. Fleming Yachts Canada

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  5. Fleming Yachts 65

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  6. FLEMING 55

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COMMENTS

  1. Our History

    Watch on. Construction of Fleming Yachts began at the Tung Hwa boat yard in southern Taiwan in 1985 under the personal supervision of Tony Fleming. Today, all Fleming Yachts continue to be built by Tung Hwa and are sold through a network of authorized dealers in the United States, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Japan.

  2. The Iconic Fleming 55 Cruiser is Still Going Strong After 36 Years

    The latest 55s come with Cummins QSC 500-hp common-rail turbo diesels that can punch the 68,000-pound Fleming to a very un-trawler-like 21 mph. Throttle back to a typical 11-mph cruising speed ...

  3. Tony Fleming: Back in Alaska on Venture

    Tony Fleming, the founder of Fleming Yachts, is one of the most experienced, and capable, cruising people I know. Over the years, Tony also has developed a worldwide following for the writing, photos and videos based on his voyages on Venture, his personal Fleming 65.Here's his latest, starting in Auke Bay, near Sitka, Alaska.

  4. A Conversation with Tony Fleming (Podcast)

    A Conversation with Tony Fleming (Podcast) At age 50, Fleming founded his eponymously named yacht company, which would become among the most successful lines of passagemaking yachts ever built. He reflects on his early days, extensive cruising in his retirement and much more. Passagemaker Radio.

  5. Fleming 78: Stronger, Faster, Farther

    The first Fleming 78, introduced in 2010, was a natural evolution of the company's 75, which had, at that point, been the flagship of the Fleming line for a decade. This new 78 incorporated a longer waterline to improve running efficiency at cruise and passagemaking speeds. A boost to 90 metric tons full-load displacement assured internal ...

  6. PDF AN INTERVIEW WITH TONY FLEMING

    Home - Burr Yacht Sales is the official website of the exclusive dealer of Fleming yachts in the US East Coast and Great Lakes region. You can find out more about the history, design, and features of these luxury cruising vessels, as well as read an interview with Tony Fleming, the founder and owner of Fleming yachts. Whether you are looking for a new or pre-owned yacht, or just want to learn ...

  7. Fleming Yachts Canada

    Interview with Tony Fleming. Over the years Tony Fleming has been asked many of the same questions by prospective buyers and journalists about his yachts. Recently he found the time to compile a list of these questions and answers, and the attached document highlights what he feels to be the most important features of "the ultimate cruising yacht.

  8. Fleming Yachts and Their History

    Tony and Anton visited Taiwan in the summer of 1985 to research the best boat yard to build what would eventually become the Fleming 55. The Tung Hwa facility located near Kaohsiung was selected, and work on hull number one began. Although the original mold was built for a 55-foot yacht, the first boats were 50-feet - having a shorter cockpit ...

  9. 40 Years of Fleming Yachts History

    And Fleming Yachts was going to be a part of the rise, with the evolution of the Fleming 55. Fleming 55. The original mould for this model was built for a 55-foot yacht, but the first eight of these were actually 50 feet — built with slightly shorter cockpits. By the mid '90s, this had been extended out to 55, and by the late '90s over ...

  10. Guest Interview

    Fleming Yachts subcontracts the actual construction of the yachts to the yard in Taiwan with whom we have worked since the beginning. We have only ever built in that one yard and they build exclusively for Fleming. Boat sales are handled through carefully selected dealers with whom we have worked and co-operated from many years.

  11. Tony Fleming hits a Milestone

    Dec 15, 2022. Original: Dec 1, 2022. Tony Fleming. Our crew of four are gathered in the organized quiet of the pilothouse as my Fleming 65, Venture, slips through the glassy waters of Icy Strait, en route to Dundas Bay. Ahead, the snowcapped peaks of the Coast Range straddle the Alaskan horizon. Chris Conklin, Venture 's longtime captain ...

  12. Introducing The All- New Fleming 85

    After hundreds of years of combined experience in designing, building and cruising yachts on the open ocean, Fleming Yachts are bringing to you what will be ...

  13. Fleming History

    Fleming Yachts Shipyard History. Construction of Fleming Yachts began at the Tung Hwa boat yard in southern Taiwan in 1985 under the personal supervision of Tony Fleming. Today, all Fleming Yachts continue to be built by Tung Hwa and are sold through a network of authorized dealers in the United States, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and ...

  14. An Update On The Fleming Yachts 85

    In December of 2020, we announced the beginning of a new flagship - the Fleming 85 - to a resounding response from our Fleming owners and to the yachting med...

  15. EXCLUSIVE Interview: Fleming 85 Unveiled

    Penned by naval architects Norman R. Wright & Sons, the Fleming 85's semi-displacement hull is designed to be highly efficient and classically stunning. The designers employed Computational Fluid Dynamics CFD software to fine-tune the hull design, ensuring the most efficient hull possible and optimal behavioral characteristics in all sea states.

  16. Boat Review: Fleming 55

    Tony Fleming must have known from the beginning that he had a winner in his Fleming 55. But only through a consistent program of upgrading, improving and refining the original has it reached its current status of a thoroughly modern living legend. Advertisement. Fleming Yachts, 949-645-1024; www.flemingyachts.com.

  17. The Ultimate Fleming

    Jun 2, 2014. This review is the web extra to our 'BIG BOATS' round-up in PassageMaker's July/August 2014 Issue, on newsstands 6/24/14. During the past 25 years, Fleming motoryachts have evolved into what many experts consider "the ultimate cruising yacht.". Beautiful to look at, robustly constructed and meticulously engineered, Flemings ...

  18. The Highly Anticipated Fleming 85 Ocean Crossing Explorer Yacht

    If, like me, you are a fan of Fleming Yachts, then you might be interested to know that the hugely respected and highly popular yacht builder has announced a...

  19. Construction Highlights

    The only yacht "like a Fleming" is an authentic Fleming. 1760 Monrovia Avenue. Suite A18. Costa Mesa, CA 92627 USA. O: +1 949.645.1024. F: +1 949.645.3047 Email Us. Our Yachts. Fleming 85; Fleming 78; Fleming 65; Fleming 58; Fleming 55; Model Comparison; Model Comparison; Virtual Tours; Brochure; Tony's Adventures ...