fleming yachts 78 review

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Fleming 78: Quiet Times

• By George Sass Sr.
• Updated: January 3, 2013

“Victor, are you ready to start the engines?” I asked the captain.

“They’re running,” he replied.

I soon discovered that, even under way, the Fleming 78 was so quiet and free of vibration that we had to open the pilothouse door to hear any significant noise — and what we heard was the sweet sound of water, parted by the ship’s bulbous bow, gently flowing aft.

Flemings are known for their whisper-quiet, smooth ride, but the 78 — evolved from the builder’s previous flagship 75-footer — sets new standards in noise suppression. “The owner was very keen that his new Fleming be as quiet as possible,” said Duncan Cowie, the man now running this 25-year-old company, along with engineer Adi Shard, founder Tony Fleming’s nephew. “We installed nearly 100 additional sheets of lead foam insulation throughout the boat.” Bulkheads were thickened to accommodate the extra lead insulation.

Also contributing to the ship’s quietness are the new V-8 common-rail 1,000-horsepower MAN diesel engines instead of the normally specified 1,550-horsepower MANs. “The owner, a very experienced yachtsman who has owned a Fleming 65 and a much larger expedition-style yacht, prefers cruising in the 8- to 10-knot range, so these engines are ideally matched to this particular 78, providing an especially quiet ride,” Cowie added. An Aquadrive anti-vibration system allows the engines to be soft-mounted, even further reducing noise and vibration.

Cowie told me that the bulbous bow and additional waterline length, created by extending the hull beneath the swim platform, have improved fuel efficiency over the Fleming 75 by 13 percent at 8 knots and 10 percent at 9 knots. “A bulbous bow has an optimum performance range of just plus or minus 3 knots, so this particular bulb design is different from the ones on the next 78s meant to cruise at higher speeds.” Top speed on this 78 is 16.1 knots versus the 22 to 23 knots projected for the more powerful standard models.

This yacht’s solid fiberglass hull is hand-laid and reinforced with interlocking frames and full-length stringers for superior stiffness and strength. Having fallen off breaking seas into 20-foot troughs while accompanying Tony Fleming aboard his Fleming 65 during a voyage to Iceland, I can attest to the integrity of the builder’s robust construction.

Vinylester resins, first used by Fleming below the waterline to resist osmotic blistering, are now used throughout, eliminating fabric print-through and creating an excellent fiberglass finish. Indeed, the new 78 will turn heads with her traditional good looks. Even with a dual-level flying bridge, she has a relatively low profile, a longtime signature of the brand.

Setting her apart from her smaller siblings is the fact that the 78 provides private accommodations for the crew. The area includes a double and single berth, a large head with shower and a seating area with desk. A microwave, refrigerator and TV provide the captain with comfortable quarters, and the ship’s monitoring system allows him to keep tabs on the yacht when he isn’t at the helm.

The degree to which the yard will accommodate special requests and custom touches is evident in this 78. First, the owner chose not to have access to the master stateroom from the main salon, but only from the pilothouse’s spiral stairway. Subsequent 78s will have the standard straight stairway from the starboard side of the main salon. Second, traditional V-berths, instead of a centerline island berth, in the forward guest stateroom give the cabin more floor space — room to stand and dress — and an increase in flexibility when friends and family cruise aboard. This cabin has its own head and shower. A second guest stateroom features twin berths, plus a private head and shower. Additional sound-deadening material, extra-thick bulkheads and a full-width fuel tank between the machinery space and the living area turn each stateroom into a quiet sanctuary.

In the tradition of a shore-side family room, the spacious salon features a dedicated dining area adjacent to the fully equipped galley. This particular yacht had an amazing array of home-theater and satellite TV components, so if the guests do not want to watch what is playing on the big screen, they can retire to their staterooms or to the flying bridge and watch a program of their choosing on a TV monitor fed by an individual satellite receiver.

Like all Flemings, the 78 boasts a true pilothouse separated from the main living area, a feature that speaks to the serious voyager and sets her apart from a number of her competitors. The captain and navigator will appreciate the twin Stidd helm chairs, large and easy-to-reach electronics console, generous chart workspace and easy-access electrical panels. A peek behind these panels reveals properly harnessed and identified wiring runs and meticulously dressed connections. A day-head, a settee with a dining table and a drop-down pilot berth allow the on-watch crew to tend to business without disturbing those who are off-watch in the salon, galley or staterooms.

This well-thought-out flexibility extends to the outdoors. The dual-level flying bridge provides an upper helm, which features an electrically operated electronics console that can be lowered when the boat’s in port and the focus is on R&R. Her centerline helm is properly elevated to allow good forward vision, and there is a forward-facing double seat on each side of the helm chair, ideal for those who want to join the captain while the yacht is under way. An adjustable double-lounge platform is positioned across from the outdoor widescreen TV.

Four steps down, the lower bridge sports a wet bar, barbecue grill, refrigerator, ice maker, dining table and settee. A hardtop and glass curtains protect both the upper and lower bridge areas. Aft is the boat deck where the owner’s Boston Whaler is stowed, and where an additional control station provides excellent visibility when backing into a slip.

Below, abaft the entrance to the main salon, a protected lower deck area with dining table and settee gives guests an ideal place to gather and watch the world go by. All of these areas, each on a separate level, make it possible for guests and family to find their own space during long cruises. If one just wants to get away from the crowd or conversation, they’ll find plenty of areas to do so.

Beyond all the comfort, luxury and beauty of the Fleming 78 is an engineering masterpiece. A leisurely walk around the engine room — yes, you can actually walk around in there — revealed the company’s obsession with locating and installing fuel filters, valves, pumps, engine inspection points, hydraulics — every part and system that’s critical to the yacht’s operation — for easy inspection and service. There’s even a separate machinery room where key electrical components, air-conditioning compressors and a second watermaker are located. Keeping a close eye on these systems as well as the status of tank levels, water pressure, fluid temperatures and more is a Böning ship monitoring system. With 15-inch monitors in the pilothouse, flying bridge and crew quarters, the captain can flip through pages of data displayed graphically and view images from any one of several CCTV cameras throughout the yacht.

Superb aesthetics. Robust construction. Flexible accommodations. Intelligent engineering. This new 78 has all the traits of the highly regarded Fleming line of motoryachts, which include the 55 , 65 and soon-to-be-launched 58.

TEST CONDITIONS: Speeds were measured by GPS in the Pacific Ocean off Newport Beach, California, in flat seas and light winds, with a full load of fuel two-thirds load of water and three people on board. Fuel consumption was calculated by the electronic engine-monitoring system. Sound levels were measured in the pilothouse with all exterior doors and windows closed.

Fleming Yachts , 949-645-1024; flemingyachts.com All photos courtesy of Fleming Yachts.

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"Virtually fault free, eerily quiet, exceptionally engineered and boasting amazing attention to detail, the Fleming 75 is quite clearly the product of an obsessive design team."

- Motorboat & Yachting

Building on the success of the well-established Fleming 55, Fleming Yachts introduced the magnificent Fleming 75 in 2000. Ten years later the Fleming 75 was redesigned with a longer hull, and longer keel to become the new Fleming 78. The added waterline length and reduced fuel consumption and increases range by 500 NM. The yacht has the same elegant but no-nonsense design philosophy as her smaller sisters, but her larger size permits her to travel further and provide her guests and crew with even more luxurious accommodations. She has three staterooms all en-suite with a separate crews quarters aft. Standard power is twin MAN V12-1550hp engines, and MAN V8-1000hp, & MAN i6-800hp engines are optional. She has a range of 2,000 nautical miles at 10 knots and, can achieve speeds in excess of 20 knots. She is equipped as standard with Aquadrive vibration isolation systems. She has twin 29KW Onan generators, centralized hydraulic system driving American Bowthruster stabilizers, bow thruster, stern thruster, and twin Maxwell windlasses. A custom central monitoring system with three 15" color touchscreens displays all onboard systems, including tank levels, bilge & fire alarms as well as a fully controllable CCTV system.

This 90 ton yacht, like all Fleming's has been built to European CE Category "A" Standards, and she presents the ultimate balance of rugged construction, engineering excellence and artful elegance. Fleming Yachts are the "Ultimate Cruising Yacht," and the Fleming 78 is the ultimate Fleming. 

Also offered is the Fleming 78 Classic Edition which has become a popular alternative for owners wanting a different style of flybridge. The Fleming 78 Classic takes cues from her sibling, the F65, with a lower, sleeker profile due to a single-level flybridge. Additionally, the longer boat deck increases space for seating and a tender or watercraft. Read more about the Fleming 78 Classic here .

Standard Specifications

81' 6' (24.84 m)

72' 4' (22.05 m)

21' 5' (6.52 m)

5' (1.52 m)

21' 8' (6.6 m)

Displacement Light:

165,048 lbs. (74,865 kg)

Displacement Full:

197,800 lbs. (89,721 kg)

3,000 US gal (11,356 l)

440 US gal (1,666 l)

View Full Specs

Fleming 78 Specifications

View Brochure

Hull 78-004

Hull 78-008

Hull 78-002

Performance Curves

Overview Continued...

Safety and convenience were given top priority in the design of all deck areas. All hardware was selected for durability and functionality and much of it, such as the stainless steel cleats and roller-chocks, was designed and custom made specifically for the vessel.

The foredeck platform has been set up for twin Maxwell hydraulic anchor windlasses. These have plug-in remote controls for reliability and safety, as well as controls at both the pilothouse and flybridge helm stations. The anchor platform is designed to accomodate two 176 Lbs (80Kg) Ultra anchors, and the chain locker holds two 400ft (121m) lengths of 1/2" (13mm) Grade-60 stainless steel chain.

Solid stainless steel fairleads are bolted through the bulwarks to allow the capstans to be used for warping. Storage lockers, either side of the anchor platform, house twin shorepower inlets as well as salt and fresh water  bibs.

The stainless steel oval-section handrail has been brought inboard for security. Additional stainless steel handrails are provided on the top of the non-skid cabin trunk for the convenience of children as well as providing tie-down points for optional cushions. 

The forepeak is accessed through a deck hatch immediately aft of the windlasses and is separated from the rest of the boat by a watertight, collision bulkhead. It is divided into two chain lockers each with its own bitter end fitting. There is ample room for stowage of lines, and the forepeak drains directly overboard.

The Portuguese bridge deck provides protection for the pilothouse in the unlikely event that green water should come aboard. Solid doors, assisted by gas springs, give access to the forward deck to port and starboard. Lockers within the Portuguese bridge provide storage for fenders and lines. A handrail runs around the front and sides of the pilothouse with sliding doors on either side. Forward-facing windows have 10mm thick tempered glass. Wipers are heavy duty with an integral wash system. Teak laid decks are standard aft of the Portuguese Bridge.

Wide, well-protected side decks run down both sides of the boat with sturdy stainless steel handrails. Fuel fills with unique covers and anti-burp design are concealed within the steps leading down from the bridge deck. Bulwarks have inward-opening doors. Spring line cleats are recessed either side of roller chocks for spring lines.

The spacious aft deck is surrounded by a wide teak caprail and fiberglass skirt concealing engine room air intakes and mood lighting. Warping winches to port and stbd eliminate the labor of adjusting mooring lines. The inward-opening transom door, pivoting smoothly on a stainless steel tube-hinge of proprietary Fleming design, gives access to a 48" deep swim step with nonskid surface. (Teak decking is optional). Sturdy stainless steel handrails extend across the width of the transom. Cablemaster inlets are recessed behind the transom door. Shower fittings are located inside the aft end of the cockpit and are usable from the swim step.

The manual pull for the engine-room fire system and remote fuel shut-off valves are concealed behind the door on the aft face of the California deck. A large powered centerline hatch provides access into the lazarette. A teak-dressed step across the aft face of the California deck provides seating and a place to put equipment for activities such as scuba diving. Offered as an option is a retractable engine/thruster control station which folds away into the aft face of California deck structure.

The California Deck features a fixed settee around a teak-topped table. To port is a serving area with a stainless rail. There is overhead lighting as well as courtesy lights and custom lights on the aft face of the deckhouse. Access to the boat deck is provided by a curved ladder with radiused teak treads and oval section stainless tubes.

Flying Bridge

The flying bridge area is divided into two levels and has three distinct functional areas. The upper level is effectively an open-air pilothouse which features a helm station with full engine and thruster controls, instrumentation and a unique electronics console which retracts into the flybridge structure when not in use. There is a Stidd helmseat behind the stainless steel destroyer-type wheel and Stidd bench seats on either side of it. An aft-facing L-settee area includes a table and space to stbd for a bench-type freezer. A venturi shield with an integral stainless steel handrail curves around the front and side of the upper bridge to the radar arch.

The forward portion of the lower level is primarily for entertainment and is equipped with seating for a dozen people around a large table. Forward is a fridge and icemaker plus barbecue and sink beneath a folding lid. There is concealed lighting in the toe-space beneath the settees. A large watertight door provides direct access into the pilot house. A larger gas grill and top-opening freezer are offered as options in lieu of a port settee on the lower level.

Aft of the seating area is the boat deck equipped with a 12-foot, 1,500 lb. (680kg) capacity davit, which has its own hydraulic power unit enabling power slewing rotation luffing and a linear hoisting winch (using a linear winch in which the cable is not wrapped around a drum). The boat deck will accept tenders up to 17-feet mounted fore and aft. Also on the boat deck is a lift-up hatch providing access to the California deck and cockpit. An AC outlet is provided for plugging in a battery charger for the tender.

Available as options are hardtops for the upper bridge and for covering the seating area on the lower level. Also available as options are a second control station at the aft end of the boat deck and, separately, an airfoil-section yacht mast for mounting on top of the arch.

Salon, Galley & Dinette

With a combined area of 350 sq ft. these three spaces flow together to form a luxurious yet functional area made even larger by the extension of the salon onto the California Deck through the aft doors. Teak and holly soles are standard throughout as are wood mini-blinds recessed into the window frames. 

The salon can be customized to suit owners requirements. The standard salon layout includes an entertainment center with cabinets and bookshelves along the stbd side, and TV cabinet in the starboard aft corner with a powered TV Lift. To port is an L-settee with Fleming oval teak coffee table with storage locker. Aft to port is a bar cabinet with granite counter top, sink, combo fridge/icemaker, and bottle storage.

Opposite the galley the dinette area comes standard with a curved banquette, oval dining table, storage cabinets with glass doors at the forward bulkhead with a granite top. Designer LED lighting is installed over the table and has a dimmer control.

The galley features an 18-foot linear length of granite counter with an undermount stainless steel double sink, overhead lockers, ample drawers and storage, pull-out pot locker forward of the cooktop and includes the following quality appliances, Sub Zero fridge with freezer drawers, Miele oven, Miele  dishwasher, convection microwave, waste disposer, Miele induction cooktop with custom stainless steel potholders, Instahot for dispensing filtered hot and cold water, swivel faucet with pull-out nozzle.

Accommodations

The wide beam of the Fleming 78 provides exceptionally spacious accommodations featuring teak and holly soles throughout and bulkheads faced with teak and synthetic soft leather paneling and headliners. The accommodations are reached from the pilothouse via stairs, which widen and flatten out as they descend into the forward lobby. Each tread is illuminated with concealed rope lights for discreet evening illumination. An oval section stainless steel handrail follows the curve of the stairwell, which also features a mirrored alcove with a granite shelf for owner's art work.

Each of the staterooms open off the forward lobby, which has a custom overhead light and a vertical stainless handgrip. A gas-spring assisted hatch leads to the machinery space below the sole. The washer and drier are concealed behind a teak-faced door.

The owner's stateroom features a kingsize bed with mattress, which lifts hydraulically for easy access to a large storage area under it. A curved bureau with mirrors are on either side of the bed. Teak cove moldings along both sides of the stateroom and a curved soffit over the bed contain concealed lighting. There is a walk-in closet with louvered double doors and portlight, a desk with ample drawers and a space designated for a TV. Large stainless steel, CE-approved portlights are featured in the stateroom and head.

The owner's head features a shower stall or optional tub with a thermostatically controlled mixer valve in a fiberglass-lined enclosure. It is divided from the head by stainless steel and glass doors. A ceramic basin is set in a granite or marble-topped counter with designer faucets. 

The port guest cabin is available with either twins or a double berth with an optional upper slide-out berth. The fiberglass-lined shower is divided from the head by a stainless steel and glass door, and the shower faucet is thermostatically controlled. A ceramic basin is set in a granite or marble-topped counter with designer faucets. CE-approved portlights are used in the stateroom and head.

A VIP guest cabin forward features a tapered Queen berth with mattress, and has a hydraulically powered lift for easy access to storage underneath. The forward cabin is also available with a V-Berth layout. A CE-approved skylight and escape hatch includes a remote controlled roller-type insect and blackout screen. There are hanging lockers to port and starboard with louvered doors and drawers underneath. A fiberglass-lined shower stall is divided from the head by a curved stainless steel and glass door. The shower faucet is thermostatically controlled. A ceramic basin is set in a granite or marble-topped counter with designer faucets. CE-approved portlights are used in the stateroom and head.

Machinery Space

Unique to the Fleming 78 is an extensive machinery space located under the forward accommodations, it is very well illuminated with LED lighting. The cabin sole is double thickness and filled with lead/foam sound insulation to isolate the accommodations from this area, which is 29-feet long and is accessed through a hatch in the forward lobby. Installed in the machinery space are the pumps, water heaters, black and grey water tanks and air-conditioning units. This functional area frees up space in the engine room and keeps wiring and piping runs to a minimum. It also allows easy access to key components and makes it possible to access plumbing for toilets and showers from underneath.

The machinery space is also home to the 1,200 A/H AGM house battery bank. Also in this area are the two Outback 3,500 watt inverters, the 36Kw ASEA freuqnecy converter and all the switchgear associated with the electrical systems. The machinery space has its own ventilation blower ducted to an outlet on deck. It is protected by an automatic fire suppression system. The bow thruster motor and associated hydraulic valves are also readily accessible. Despite all this equipment there remains ample storage space for supplies for long range cruising.

Engine Room

The 22-foot long, full height engine room in the Fleming 78 is spacious, brightly lit and laid out with easy access to all equipment. There are even lights illuminating the drip pans under the engines. Stainless steel overhead handrails run the full length of the engine room. The overhead is up to 8" thick, filled with sound insulation. A workbench with drawers, and stainless work surface are standard. Floorboards are dressed with checkerplate-patterned Lonseal for appearance and sound attenuation. The engine room is lined with a reflective alloy pegboard for easy maintenance. The access door is an internally insulated, submarine type with gasket, double latch and inspection window.

The two main fuel tanks divide the engine room from the accommodations and total 2,500 US gals (9,463 liters). Two auxiliary wing tanks bring the total fuel capacity up to 3,000 US gals (11,356 liters). The fuel tanks are located on the longitudinal center of gravity so the trim of the Fleming does not change as fuel is consumed. Sight gages show the height of the fuel in every tank and pressure sensors display the contents, in gallons, liters and percentage, on the FFM monitoring system in the pilothouse. Twin Racor filters with vacuum gages, change-over valves and stainless steel drip trays are standard as is a fuel transfer pump, with filter and counter, which can be used to transfer fuel between tanks. Fuel selector panels provide easy selection for supply and return to and from main engines and generators. Storage bins for spares are provided above the side tanks.

Intake air is drawn in from around the cockpit rather than outside the hull where it is laden with salt. Automatic baffles close off the ventilation ducts at the aft end of the engine room. The automatic fire system also has a manual pull operated from the aft deck.

Naturally the main engines are the most prominent items of equipment in the engine room. Standard engines are MAN V12-1550 HP, with optional MAN V8-1200, MAN V8-1000 and MAN i6-800 hp. There is good access around both sizes of engines and both are fitted with additional 200 amp hevy duty brushless alternators controlled by an external regulator. Oversize raw water intake ball valves and sea strainers are conveniently placed.

Huge Aquadrives (the largest in the range) isolate the engines from the shafts and permit the use of soft engine mounts, matched to the vibration characteristics of the engine, which reduce noise and vibration transmitted to the hull. The shaft couplings have protective covers for safety. There is easy access to the shaft logs, which are bronze with a dripless packing.

Standard generators are two 29 KW Onan eQD in sound shields. Generator exhausts pass through waterdrop mufflers to reduce exhaust noise to a whisper. Special attention has also been paid to the main engine exhaust system, which has been designed to keep the boat as quiet and free from vibration as possible.

Variable displacement hydraulic pumps on both engines power the ABT centralized hydraulic system, thus maintaining stabilizing and bow & stern thruster operations even when running on one engine. Stabilizer actuators are readily accessible forward of the wing tanks, and the hydraulic reservoir is easy to reach on the aft bulkhead. A hydraulically driven Pacer emergency bilge pump is optional.

95 US gal (359 liter) oil tanks to port and stbd provide storage of clean and dirty lube oil. Tanks are connected to two oil change systems. A 16,000 BTU engine room air-conditioning system is standard equipment.

A large hydraulically operated centerline hatch provides convenient access into the lazarette, which contains the water tanks, and Cablemasters. All equipment is located for easy access, leaving ample space for storage.

The spacious Fleming 78 pilothouse has the feel of a bridge of a much larger vessel and is the nerve and social center of the boat. Gently curving stairs lead down to the accommodations and short companionways lead up to the flybridge and down to the salon. Sliding doors on either side give access to port and starboard bridge decks. Throughout there are ample handrails for security.

An L-shaped settee, raised up for enhanced visibility, is set around a teak table with storage built into the leg. Wood window blinds slot into retainers. An optional, hydraulically operated pilot-berth can be recessed into the aft bulkhead. To port is a chart table and flexible chart light. Of course, the main function of the pilothouse is to provide a dedicated area for piloting free from distractions. The Fleming 78 has achieved this with style and luxury. There is space for a full range of electronics in full-width upper and lower consoles. Engine instrumentation and controls as well as the bow & stern thruster joysticks are grouped at the helm station. One Stidd helmseat is standard but there is space for two additional chairs. There are separate swing-out, back-lit switch panels.

Adjacent to the pilothouse is a day head with toilet and ceramic basin set in granite or marble countertop with mirror and lockers. There is an opening portlight a blower for ventilation, and airconditioning inlet.

Aft Lobby and Crew Quarters

Access to the crew's quarters and the engine room are from the port side deck, via an access door and stairs, which lead down to the aft lobby. This location allows the crew to come and go from their quarters, and the engine room, without disturbing the guests enjoying the amenities of the California deck.

The aft lobby opens into the crew head, the crew cabin and the engine-room. This allows the crew head to be accessed without having to enter the crew cabin. The crew cabin has two hanging lockers, one 45" wide berth and a second 36" wide berth, ample drawer space and additional overhead storage. There is also a mirror, desk with escape hatch over and two CE-approved portlights. The crew head has a washbasin, shower and  toilet. A 15" color touchscreen connected to the FFM monitoring system is included as standard in the crew cabin. This ensures that the crew are aware of any alarms and can monitor the yachts systems remotely. The internally insulated submarine-type door to the engine-room has a glass inspection port. There is also an option for two seperate crew cabins.

Specifications

• LOA (hull): 77' 8"  (23.66m)
• LOA (including swim step and anchor platform): 81' 6" (24.84m)
• LWL: 72' 4"  (22.05m)
• Beam: 21' 5"  (6.5270m)
• Draft: 5'  (1.52m)
• Air draft (to top of radar arch): 21' 8" (6.60m) (without mast)
• Height from bottom of keel to top of radar arch: 26'8"  (without mast)
• Minimum Operating Condition:  165,048 Lbs.  (74,865kg)
• Loaded Condition:  197,800 Lbs.  (89,721kg)
• Main Engines: Twin MAN V12-1550 HP
• Transmissions: Twin Disc MGX-6599A or ZF2050A with electric shift and troll valves 
• Reduction Ratio:  2.48:1 (TD) or 2.467:1 (ZF)
• PTO's: Clutched C-Pad Power Take-Off's on both transmissions 
• Engine Controls: Glendinning EEC3 (with back-up system) 
• Driveline: Aquadrive CV60 & HDL 780HT
• Generators: Two Onan eQD 29 Kw 220v, 60Hz (European model 27Kw 230v 50Hz)
• Stabilizers: ABT TRAC 12 Sq. Ft fins with winglets 300 model actuators
• Bow Thruster: ABT 60HP Hydraulic
• Stern Thruster: ABT 25HP Hydraulic
• Fuel Tanks: 3,000 USG (11,356 Liters) in four Fiberglass tanks 
• Water Tanks: 440 USG (1,666 Liters) 
• Black Water Tank: 230 USG (870 Liters) 
• Grey Water Tank:  230 USG (870 Liters)
• Lube Oil Tanks: (2) 95 USG (359 Liters)

Fleming 78 – Trawler

With the Fleming 78, you are free to explore virtually anywhere in the world, from the upper reaches of the Amazon to the Fiords of Norway or cruising around the icebergs of the North West Passage.

The F78 is a completely updated replacement for the original Fleming 75 that the yard has been building since early 1999. The main differences on the exterior are that the hull is longer and carrying it aft under the swim step provides a greater waterline, more buoyancy aft and greatly increased storage space in the lazarette.

The 78 also have a bulbous bow, which has been designed specifically for this boat to provide reduced fuel consumption at speeds from 8-12 knots.

The F78 has many improvements on the interior including new systems, new crew cabin layout, improved engine room and machinery room layouts. There is a comprehensive central monitoring system with three 15” colour touch screens and new engine instruments.

This 80-ton yacht has been built to qualify for European CE certification for Ocean Class, and she presents the ultimate balance of rugged construction, engineering excellence and artful elegance.

Fleming prides themselves on building boats to the highest quality, with safety and convenience given top priority in the design of all deck areas. All hardware was selected for durability and functionality and much of it, such as the stainless steel cleats and roller-chocks, was designed and made specifically for the vessel.

The foredeck platform has been set up for twin, matched Maxwell Model 3500 hydraulic anchor windlasses. Solid stainless steel fairleads are bolted through the bulwarks to allow the capstans to be used for warping.

The teak oval-section handrail has been brought inboard for security and additional stainless steel handrails are provided on the top of the non-skid cabin trunk for the convenience of children as well as providing tie-down points for optional cushions.

Solid doors, assisted by gas springs, give access to the forward deck to port and starboard from the wheelhouse onto the Portuguese bridge. Forward-facing windows have 9mm thick tempered glass for ultimate strength. Wide, well-protected side decks run down both sides of the boat with sturdy stainless steel handrails and the bulwarks have inward-opening doors. The spacious aft deck is surrounded by a wide caprail and fiberglass skirt concealing engine room air intakes and mood lighting. Warping winches to port and starboard eliminate the labor of adjusting mooring lines. The inward-opening transom door gives access to a 36″ deep swim step with nonskid surface.

Two lockable hatches provide access into the lazarette. A teak-dressed step across the aft face of the California deck provides seating and a place to put equipment for activities such as scuba diving. The California Deck features a fixed settee around a teak-topped table. Access to the boat deck is provided by a curved ladder with radiused teak treads and oval section stainless tubes.

Split Level Flybridge

The flying bridge area is divided into two levels and has three distinct functional areas. The upper level is effectively an open-air pilothouse, which features a helm station with full engine, and thruster controls, instrumentation and a unique electronics console, which retracts into the flybridge structure when not in use. An aft-facing L-settee area includes a table and space to starboard for a bench-type freezer.

The forward portion of the lower level is primarily for entertainment and is equipped with seating for a dozen people around a large table. Forward is a combo fridge/icemaker plus double barbecues and sink beneath a folding lid.

Aft of the seating area is the boat deck equipped with a 4.2m 1500 lb. capacity stainless steel davit. The boat deck will accept tenders up to 5.2m mounted fore and aft. Also on the boat deck is a lift-up hatch providing access to the California deck and cockpit. Available as options are hardtops for the upper bridge and for covering the seating area on the lower level.

Luxurious & Large Interior

With a combined area of 32.5sqm, the saloon, galley and dinette spaces flow together to form a luxurious yet functional area made even larger by the extension of the saloon onto the California Deck through the aft doors. Teak and holly soles are standard throughout as are wood mini-blinds recessed into the window frames

The saloon is left empty in the standard boat and is built to suit owners’ requirements. The dinette area comes standard with a curved banquette, oval dining table, and storage cabinets with sculptured glass doors at the forward bulkhead with a granite top. Designer lighting is installed over the table with a dual circuit dimmer control. The galley features a 5.4m length of granite counter with a composite double sink, overhead lockers, ample drawers and storage and extensive appliances

Spacious Accommodations

The accommodations are reached from the pilothouse via stairs, which widen and flatten out as they descend into the forward lobby. The accommodation is similar to past boats but has been refined, and the forward VIP cabin has twin berths rather than the queen. The owner’s stateroom features a kingsize bed, which lifts hydraulically for easy access to a large storage area under it. A curved bureau with mirrors is on either side of the bed. Teak cove mouldings along both sides of the stateroom and a curved soffit over the bed contain concealed lighting. There is a walk-in closet, a desk with ample drawers and a space designated for flat panel TV.

The owner’s head features a shower stall or optional whirlpool tub with a thermostatically controlled mixer valve in a fiberglass-lined enclosure.

The port guest cabin is available with either twins or a double berth with an optional upper slide-out berth. The fiberglass-lined shower is divided from the head by a stainless steel and glass door, and the ceramic basin is set in a granite-topped counter with designer faucets. Access to the crew’s quarters and the engine room are from the port side deck, immediately aft of the aft side-roof support, via an access door and stairs, which lead down to the aft lobby. This location allows the crew to come and go from their quarters and the engine room without disturbing the guests enjoying the amenities of the California deck.

Machinery & Engine Space

The Fleming 78 has a completely improved engine room and machinery space layout, which has made good use of the available extra space. The cabin sole of the machinery room is double thickness and filled with lead/foam sound insulation to isolate the accommodations from the area and is accessed through a hatch in the forward lobby.

The full height engine room in the Fleming 78 is spacious, brightly lit and laid out with easy access to all equipment. There are even lights illuminating the drip pans under the engines. Stainless steel overhead handrails run the full length of the engine room. The engine room is lined with a reflective alloy pegboard for easy maintenance and the access door is an internally insulated, submarine type with gasket, double latch and inspection window.

Naturally the main engines are the most prominent items of equipment in the engine room. The standard engines for the F78 are Man V12-1550, but 78-001 has the new model MAN V8-1000’s. Standard generators are two 32 KW Onan units in sound shields. Variable displacement pumps on both engines power the American Bow Thruster centralized hydraulic system, thus maintaining stabilizing and bow thruster operations even when running on one engine.

Practical Pilothouse

The spacious Fleming 78 pilothouse has the feel of a bridge of a much larger vessel and is the nerve and social center of the boat. Gently curving stairs lead down to the accommodations and short companionways lead up to the flybridge and down to the saloon. Sliding doors on either side give access to port and starboard bridge decks.

An L-shaped settee, raised up for enhanced visibility, is set around a teak table with storage built into the leg. An optional, hydraulically operated pilot-berth can be recessed into the aft bulkhead. There is space for a full range of electronics in full-width upper and lower consoles. Adjacent to the pilothouse is a day head with toilet and ceramic basin set in granite countertop with mirror and lockers.

Grady White 226 – Walkaround

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Exceptional Yachting

The added waterline length and reduced fuel consumption and increases range by 500 NM. The yacht has the same elegant but no-nonsense design philosophy as her smaller sisters, but her larger size permits her to travel further and provide her guests and crew with even more luxurious accommodations. She has three staterooms all en-suite with a separate crews quarters aft. Standard power is twin MAN V12-1550hp engines, and MAN V8-1000hp, & MAN i6-800hp engines are optional. She has a range of 2,000 nautical miles at 10 knots and, can achieve speeds in excess of 20 knots. She is equipped as standard with Aquadrive vibration isolation systems. She has twin 29KW Onan generators, centralized hydraulic system driving American Bowthruster stabilizers, bow thruster, stern thruster, and twin Maxwell windlasses. A custom central monitoring system with three 15″ color touchscreens displays all onboard systems, including tank levels, bilge & fire alarms as well as a fully controllable CCTV system.

This 90 ton yacht, like all Fleming’s has been built to European CE Category “A” Standards, and she presents the ultimate balance of rugged construction, engineering excellence and artful elegance. Fleming Yachts are the “Ultimate Cruising Yacht,” and the Fleming 78 is the ultimate Fleming.

Also offered is the Fleming 78 Classic Edition which has become a popular alternative for owners wanting a different style of flybridge. The Fleming 78 Classic takes cues from her sibling, the F65, with a lower, sleeker profile due to a single-level flybridge. Additionally, the longer boat deck increases space for seating and a tender or watercraft.

Boat Enquiry

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• LOA 77' 8 (23.66m)
• LOA (w/swim and anchor platforms) 81' 6 (24.84m)
• LWL 72' 4 (22.05m)
• Beam 21' 5 (6.52m)
• Draft 5' (1.52m)
• Air Draft (to top of arch) 21' 8 (6.6m)
• Displacement 165,048 Lbs. (74,865kg)
• Fuel 3,000 US gal (11,356 liters)
• Water 440 US gal (1,666 liters)

• 78 Traditional

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bclb New Member

Going to get a 55-65 footer. Like the open layout of the OR, but don't have a feel for the reliability, maintainability, durability, or seaworthiness of the OR. Fleming seems to be rock solid on those, but would like to hear comparisons. Marlow not really being considered.

BFOD New Member

My 2 cents - Fleming 55, no place in the engine room, i was in the market for a used Fleming 55 i was very impressed until I saw the engine compartment - GB outdated design unless to buy a new, in the EU used GB has no value anymore. if you need seaworthiness, go see a Nordhavn or Selene. The new Selene 60 explorer will be a game changer. I have seen a Selene 62 year 2009, this is a ship not a boat and you can´t compare with GB or Fleming

olderboater Senior Member

Outer Reef is a great seaworthy and well built boat. I would agree on Selene being good but that wasn't what you asked. Fleming, I'd prefer the 58' or 65' to the 55'. Fleming is unbeatable in terms of quality, although not typically a boat one uses trans-oceanic. I do like that you have a bit extra speed with Fleming. Grand Banks is a completely different type boat as a coastal cruiser. Unfortunately, things came mostly to a halt with them and now the line is being totally revamped and the new Grand Banks 60 is a fantastic boat but it's still a coastal boat, just now one with speed and performance.

PacBlue Senior Member

BFOD said: ↑ My 2 cents - Fleming 55, no place in the engine room, i was in the market for a used Fleming 55 i was very impressed until I saw the engine compartment - GB outdated design unless to buy a new, in the EU used GB has no value anymore. if you need seaworthiness, go see a Nordhavn or Selene. The new Selene 60 explorer will be a game changer. I have seen a Selene 62 year 2009, this is a ship not a boat and you can´t compare with GB or Fleming Click to expand...

mapism Senior Member

bclb said: ↑ would like to hear comparisons Click to expand...

seaworthiness depends on the cruising plans, and this is the first question one has to ask himself. Hours or days offshore. And for maintainability the Fleming 55 is the worst i have ever seen, simply not workable to enter the engine room at sea. This was the only reason i didn´t buy one. Fleming 55 will cruise happily at 10 knots, but yes maximum continuous is 15 knots ... for less than 20 hours. In short, to answer the question, first define your cruising plans.

BFOD said: ↑ In short, to answer the question, first define your cruising plans. Click to expand...

BFOD said: ↑ seaworthiness depends on the cruising plans, and this is the first question one has to ask himself. Hours or days offshore. And for maintainability the Fleming 55 is the worst i have ever seen, simply not workable to enter the engine room at sea. This was the only reason i didn´t buy one. Fleming 55 will cruise happily at 10 knots, but yes maximum continuous is 15 knots ... for less than 20 hours. In short, to answer the question, first define your cruising plans. Click to expand...

leeky Senior Member

The complaint about Fleming engine rooms is their height, or lack of it.

Engine Room Height can come with a trade off in form stability and windage in boats under 60 feet. I like the trade off as the Fleming has an appealing low profile, easy to board and get around and is easy to maneuver in a blow in close quarters.

Slimshady Senior Member

Owned a outereef 73, c 18 , boat is well built and jeff stood behind his boats. When I'm in the market for that style of boat I would buy another. She had lots of room in engine room and systems were well laid out and accessible. The Taiwanese yard builds a solid boat, with good fit and finish. Put 1100 hrs on her in 4 years with no mishaps. Hope this helps.

The complaint about Fleming engine rooms is their height, or lack of it. Click to expand...

PacBlue said: ↑ Engine Room Height can come with a trade off in form stability and windage in boats under 60 feet. I like the trade off as the Fleming has an appealing low profile, easy to board and get around and is easy to maneuver in a blow in close quarters. Click to expand...

Capt Ralph Senior Member

olderboater said: ↑ but also talk to existing and former owners. Click to expand...

bayoubud Senior Member

You might want to add the 54/62 Offshore to consider. Many like them better than the Fleming. Similar design and quality, with less exterior maintenance.

olderboater said: ↑ Fleming does work to keep the air draft on the 55' at 16'. Still, the ER height, while not tall enough for many of us to stand, is very good for a 55' boat and the walkway between the engines quite accommodating. Stabilizers were mentioned and they're fully accessible with nothing in the way. They are intentionally left open. The Outer Reef 58' is not standing height if you're over 6' tall either, with a very similar ER design. One just needs to check for themselves, but also talk to existing and former owners. Click to expand...

maldwin Senior Member

I have never met a Fleming owner who didn’t like his boat. Best, Maldwin

maldwin said: ↑ I have never met a Fleming owner who didn’t like his boat. Best, Maldwin Click to expand...

Kapn Member

BFOD said: ↑ Thx, My remark was about the maintainability and its engine room. Go inside with hot engines, …. you will burn yourself. Try to access – repair the stabilizers or genset, good luck Most Fleming owners have deep pockets, and in general maintainability it is not there problem. Click to expand...

Kapn said: ↑ Stabilizers were uncovered, unlike some motoryachts where they get hidden with cabinetry. Click to expand...

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