FLEMING 58 PILOTHOUSE MOTOR YACHT
Respected brand Fleming Yachts is celebrating 25 years in business with the launch of the 58 Pilothouse Motor Yacht .
The all-new Fleming 58 is built at the company’s Tung Hwa facility in Southern Taiwan, where every Fleming has been constructed, starting in 1985 with Fleming 50 hull 001 of which only three were made. The company, however, struck a chord with the market launching the now ubiquitous Fleming 55 the following year, as today 233 have left the yard.
The 58 joins the 55, 65, and 78 as the fourth in the current range of these easily managed long-range passagemakers. It is a result of research and input from exisiting Fleming owners suggesting the need for a boat to bridge the gap between the 55 and the 65.
“While this is an all-new, highly advanced, modern yacht, we have retained the same fundamental features that have made Fleming so successful over the past 25 years,” says company founder and boss Tony Fleming. “Our dedicated pilothouse, low-profile, seakindly semi-displacement hull and twin-engine power will continue to be signatures of the Fleming line.”
While retaining the marque’s classic lines, the 58, as mentioned above, is an entirely new boat designed from the keel up. Fleming Yachts in-house design team sort naval architecture from Brisbane’s Norman R. Wright & Sons, specificaly for “special expertise” in hull design and tank testing, having more than 100 years designing semi-displacement passagemakers.
The latest 3D modeling and CAD software were employed and a 1/12 scale model built and tank tested at the Australian Maritime College in Tasmania. Several load conditions were simulated at varying speeds to determine resistance, trim and other performance parameters. These included the effects of adding a bulbous bow, which is an option.
Despite the larger displacement, the builder said tank tests indicate the design of the hull and increased waterline length will deliver fuel consumption similar to the Fleming 55. However, a 50 per cent increase in tankage over the smaller sibling greatly increases the 58’s range.
BOAT AMENITIES
The larger flybridge of the 58 has a portside helm and room for a freezer, fridge, barbecue, hydraulic 450kg davit and 3.9m tender; separate stairs leading to the pilothouse or cockpit.
Boarding the main deck is through side gates and foredeck entry is from either side of the Portuguese bridge.
The cockpit is bigger than the Fleming 55 by 2.3m², and an access hatch to the engineroom is located aft of the saloon doors. The pilothouse features a centreline helm, this level including an aft dayhead and dinette. An inbuilt settee opposite the main L-shaped lounge and table provide additional seating in the saloon.
The 58 has several layouts, including an amidships full-beam master with pilothouse access.
Sam Nicholas from Fleming Yachts Australia told Trade-a-Boat, seven Fleming 58s have been ordered internationally, and hull no.1 launched and currently undergoing commissioning in the USA.
For more info, phone +61 2 8920 144, fax +61 2 8920 1411, email: info@flemingyachts.com.au or visit www.flemingyachts.com.au
FLEMING 58 SPECIFICATIONS
TYPE Semi-displacement monohull
LENGTH 18m (hull); 19.9m (overall); 17.3m (waterline)
BEAM 5.3m
DRAFT 1.52m
WEIGHT 39,916kg (light ship); 48,000kg (full)
FUEL 5489lt
WATER 1211lt
HOLDING TANK 756lt
ENGINE 2 x 500hp Cummins QSC8.3; 2 x 800hp MAN (optional)
Originally published in Trade-a-Boat #445, October / November 2013