Fleming 65 endures the passage of time

When you own a Fleming you’ve made it. But not just in the green-with-envy eyes of your peers. With a Fleming — be it the 55, 58 or this 65 — the world is your oyster. You can set sail on the seven seas, explore remote destinations, circumnavigate Australia, and cross oceans if you are willing.

Of the four main models in the range, which includes the flagship 78 as reported on our recent Fleming news, the 65 is the most accomplished. It was the long-range demonstrator for the yard’s founder, Tony Fleming, who toured Alaska, Iceland and Greenland among other places with his 65 #001 called Venture.

We recently got to cruise aboard North West, Fleming 65 hull #007, owned by Nigel and Natasha Spork in Brisbane. Nigel has a Master of Engineering Science and hails from a very successful family and international business.

Besides the signature engineering that takes care of his family, the telling thing about this Fleming — destined as a showpiece at the 2017 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show — was that it’s a 2006 model. But you wouldn't know it.

We spent some time cruising aboard on Moreton Bay for this story, but you would never know that North West, her twin 800hp MAN R6 turbo diesel engines, or her fitout were now more than 10-years' old. Pretty much only the Raymarine screens hinted at that epoch.

Today, a new Fleming 65 would cost you in the order of $5.8m landed. Second-hand, the boats retain a lot of value and you can see why.

A VOYAGE FROM OVERSEAS
The Brisbane cruising couple purchased their Fleming 65 in Norway in September 2014 and went on to cruise the boat to Belgium. From here she was loaded on a ship for Brisbane.

Since arriving in Brisbane, North West has undergone substantial upgrades including the installation of a hardtop and a boat deck extension, all shipped from the yard in Taiwan, and installed by Norman Wrights and Sons.

There have been some additions and upgrades to the electronics, but for now the legacy Raymarine units work just fine. There is everything from chart plotter and radar, AIS for spotting ships and having them spot you, to long-range communications and more.

CRUISING QUEENSLAND
North West is out on The Bay (Moreton) most weekends with family and friends. She has been to the Whitsundays twice and out to the outer reef for fishing trips.

"Moreton Bay touches the edge of the city of Brisbane, the home of my family for over 60 years. It is one of Australia’s most beautiful places yet is virtually undiscovered even by Brisbanites," Nigel enthuses.

"There are 360 islands, one for each day of the year, and it is filled with whales, dolphins and dugong. Every time I go, it touches my heart."

So that is what we did, cruising aboard North West into the wilds of Moreton Bay to experience the stabilised ride, to hear the lack of the noise thanks to engine installation, and to note the greatly reduced vibration due to the Aquadrive shaft system, which comprises soft engine mounts, CV joints to shafts and special thrust bearings.

We wandered the decks and tried the helms from inside to out, all the while taking in the stirring views of the distant Moreton Island sandhills. This we did at hull speed of around 9.5-10 knots and it was extremely pleasant. Had we more time, well, what's stopping you?

Cruising range at displacement speeds is up to 2000 nautical miles, which puts Darwin or a return trip to New Caledonia within range from Brisbane. Top speed is 16-20 knots depending on load and sea state.

CRUISING SENSATION
As we have experienced before, the semi-displacement modified-vee Fleming monohull is seakindly, while the stabilisers, low noise and vibration levels from the Aquadrive shaft system, and the low centre of gravity of this 20m hull with keel, all add to the agreeable motion.

It’s quiet, it's comfortable and it’s most definitely cruise-worthy, with coastal and transoceanic voyages this boat's raison d'etre.

Redundant systems and engineering ensure you don’t have to turn for home should you need to effect repairs en route, while access is a strong point throughout and around the boat. The walkaround decks and Portuguese bridge add to the safety at sea.

The timeless styling is also kind on the eye, with just enough tilt to yachting tradition via the teak rails and fit-out to command respect from everyone afloat including the rag-and-stick fleet.

Accommodation wise, the three cabins and two bathrooms are created for living aboard, while the galley amenities and AV systems are certainly homelike.

The Fleming 65 is a big motorcruiser, but it is manageable with just a family. There are thrusters to shunt the Fleming back into its berth and, with the walkaround decks, you can easily access all corners of the boat.

As testimony to the enduing quality of the Fleming boats, North West will look like new when she features in the 2017 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show.

On the second-hand market, Flemings are hot property, with some preloved boats shipped from Europe to Australia to meet demand for the tightly held long-range liveaboards.

If you’re serious about cruising, without setting sail or pulling strings, a Fleming 55, 58, 65 or 78 is still the boat of choice. A new 58 with Australian input will arrive for the 50th Sydney International Boat Show opening August 3-7.

More at Fleming Yachts Australia.

More about the 2017 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show from May 25-28 at
sanctuarycoveboatshow.com.au.