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.
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.
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.
Fleming 65
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.
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.
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 58
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.