Designed to be the ultimate cruising yacht, hull number one of the new Fleming 85 just arrived at Burr Yacht Sales in Stuart, Florida.
The newest (and largest) Fleming was three years in the making, ending up with a completely new design while keeping the Fleming family lines and character. The company says the goal was “to build the finest ocean-going pilothouse motor yacht,” so its owners could cruise safely and comfortably anywhere in the world. Flemings are made in Taiwan.
The hull was designed by Norman R. Wright & Sons in Australia. Standard power comes from twin 1,550-hp MAN diesels with Aqua Drive, producing a top speed of 25 knots. The boat also has Humphree stabilizers and bow and stern thrusters.
Over the years, Flemings have built up an almost cult following, with many owners and admirers inspired by Tony Fleming’s own stories and videos of cruising on his personal boat, a Fleming 65 named Venture. (I’ve cruised with Tony on Venture, including weathering some 55-plus-knot winds, and the Fleming lived up to its reputation as a well-found, totally solid and comfortable blue-water cruising yacht.)
The new 85 has the same lines that made the Fleming 55 so popular many years ago. But the look is now a bit cleaner and updated, with flush and hidden hardware. For extra comfort, the 85 has double glazing to keep everyone warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
The foredeck has hydraulic and electric Maxwell windlasses, Ultra anchors and huge storage lockers. There’s also a fold-away seating alcove.
You can order the 85 with either an open or enclosed flybridge (hull number one is open). There’s room aft or a 17-foot tender that can be launched on either the port or starboard side with a 2,000-pound crane.
The cockpit is large enough for lounging and entertaining, as well as providing room for dive gear or fishing. Warping winches help with lines for docking. The swim platform lowers with hydraulics for easy water access. The yacht has many boarding gates for access from either fixed or floating docks.
For accommodations, the 85 has both three- and four-stateroom layouts. The four-stateroom version expands a bit in to the master stateroom amidships. And there’s another option for either a single or twin crew cabin with its own galley.
Specs.: LOA: 85’2”; Beam: 20’6”; Draft: 5’5”; Disp.: 183,050 lbs.; Fuel: 3,170 gals.; Water: 500 gals; Power: 2×1,550-hp MAN diesels. Read more:
