The newest of its family (first delivered to the West Coast in 2017), the Fleming 58’s production continues into 2019 with new orders. Billed as the bridge between the 55’ and 65’ models and an entirely new boat design, the Fleming 58 is becoming a more common sight at the Pacific Northwest boat shows and our marinas. What’s the story?
First, context. Founder Tony Fleming is one of those Pacific Northwest-related boating icons, serving as the technical director of American Marine in Hong Kong in 1961 to 1983, when that company was building Grand Banks during the storied line’s golden years. Fleming also helped develop the Alaskan series of pilothouse motoryachts, notably being revived by Seattle Yachts with the launch of a new Alaskan Yachts 66 MKII.
Fleming ultimately teamed up with business partner Anton Emmerton and naval architect Larry Drake in 1983 to produce the first Fleming 55. Decades passed with growing success, ultimately leading to Fleming’s own semi-famous 65’ Fleming yacht Venture. In a stroke of marketing genius, he cruised Venture on an epic 40,000-mile public relations adventure through British Columbia, Alaska, Mexico, the Galapagos Islands, Panama Canal, and up the East Coast. Venture is still out there, often cruising some beautiful stretch of water as living proof of what a Fleming can do.
This all leads into the creation of the new 58, which retains the brand’s recognizable lines: elegant clipper bows, generous flare, and dropping sheerline. While touted as a complete redesign, the 58 still feels very much like a Fleming with wide side decks, the open flybridge with dinghy davit, and berth layout options. There are two basic accommodation options, but both feature at least three staterooms and two enclosed heads.
As far as the guts are concerned, the Fleming 58 is powered twin MAN i6-800 (both 800 hp; a 500 hp version is also available) inboard diesel engines. Reportedly, its sweet spot is at a fuel efficient 8 to 10 knots while maximum speeds get to nearly 20 knots. Notably, Flemings are rated with the coveted CE Ocean Category A certification for extended voyages where conditions may exceed wind force eight on the Beaufort scale. The 58 is built to make steady, unrelenting cruising progress.
All this proven heritage and yacht quality is certainly not cheap. The base price is about $3,370,000 new from local dealer Chuck Hovey Yachts.
