Fleming 78

Fleming owners tend to be experienced cruising people who know what they want. in the new F78 they will Find an harmonious blend oF traditional values interlaced with modern technologies all packed up into a true ocean passage maker.

The Fleming 75 was introduced by Fleming in 2000 and follows the same distinctive lines and design of its smaller siblings. Now comes the Fleming F78, which replaces the

F75 as the flagship of the three-model fleet. While it retains very much every aspect of the F75, the F78 is different in the area where it really matters…beneath the chines. Yet while the F75 has always had a great reputation as a seagoing vessel with ultimate seakeeping abilities, the builders felt they could do better – hence the F78, which from any angle doesn’t look much different from the F75. It’s what you can’t see that makes the difference.

Designer Tony Fleming describes his hulls, be it the F55, F65 or the new F78 as semi-displacement designs with moderate deadrise, a fine entry forward and a hard-chined, modified V aft. This all adds up to a boat that is specifically targeted to be most efficient at 9 to 10 knots, but which can also cruise comfortably at speeds close to 20 knots.The big difference between the F75 and now its replacement the F78 is what’s under the water. Firstly in the bow Fleming has added a bulbous bow extension which protrudes nearly 1m forward of the original stem. This is a separate attachment that can also be retrofitted to current F75s.

The F78 is a compleTely updaTed replacemenT For The original Fleming 75

TexT by barry Thompson

Improved for the Better

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Down aft the hull has been extended under the swim step by just over 1m, providing a greater waterline length, more buoyancy aft and greatly increased storage space in the lazarette. The full-length keel that extends below the rudders and propellers has been retained. This provides great protection for the running gear in the event of an unexpected grounding.The big question is, did the new bulbous bow and extended waterline length make any difference to the boat’s overall performance? The answer is yes, most definitely, especially at speeds below 10 knots. Above 10 knots the difference was negligible.

For example at 8 knots there was a 13% saving in fuel usage, (29L/h for the F75 compared to 25L/h for the F78. At 8 knots the F78’s range is 500NM more than the F75’s. Accordingly the F78 presented a better range than the F75 at speeds below 10 knots.At 9 knots there was still a 10% saving, 40L/h compared to 36L/h and at 10 knots the change was less significant at 7% or 54L/h for the F75 compared to 50L/h for the F78.The twin MAN V8 1000hp engines running 38.5” x 34” four-blade propellers pushed the F78 out to 19 knots @ 2300 rpm and 405L/h. At 2000 rpm the speed was close to 15 knots with a total fuel consumption of 244L/h and at 1500 rpm, 12

which minimises alignment issues and lets the engine float on soft engine mounts. The gensets are also double-mounted on anti-vibration mounts.There has also been a lot of consideration given to making the F78 as quiet as possible with an extensive use of lead lined sound insulation around the machinery areas. At maximum rpm the F78 has a sound level of 68 dBA and at a normal cruise of 10 knots the sound level was less than 60 dBA. This is comparable to the previous F75.As this boat is expected to tackle the world’s oceans and be confronted with seriously challenging sea conditions during its lifetime, Fleming Yachts builds it tough. All Fleming yachts have solid hand laid fibreglass hulls reinforced by an interlock-ing matrix of frames and full-length, box-section stringers. This robust stiffening system creates a very strong, stiff hull able to withstand the loads imposed by extremely adverse sea states. The GRP fuel tanks are glassed into the vessel's structure on all sides, making them an integral part of the yacht and adding to the overall hull rigidity. Since the tanks span the full beam at mid-ships, the tanks act as a metre-thick bulkhead, further minimising engine room noise from reaching the living quarters.

Improved InteriorThe F78 has many improvements to 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 75-tonne 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. 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. 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 king size 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 a flat panel TV. The owner's head features a shower stall or optional whirlpool tub with a thermostatically controlled mixer valve in a fibre-glass-lined enclosure. The port guest cabin is available with either twins or a double berth with an optional upper slide-out berth. The fibreglass-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 SpaceThe 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

above: The Full beam owners' sTaTeroom is oF superyachT sTandards.

below:The guesT cabins are spacious, wiTh plenTy oF sTorage areas.

knots, using 112L/h. The Fleming 75 powered by twin 1550hp Caterpillar C 30s tops out at 24 knots with a maximum fuel burn of more than 600L/h. If you are not so concerned about achieving the higher speed, then the lower horsepower is an option well worth considering. After all, this is a boat built for serious ocean passage making, when efficiency and seakeeping are more important than top end speed.

Whisper Quiet & Extra ToughFleming put a big emphasis on keeping noise and vibration to a minimum. For example in the F75 and now the F78 he has incorporated an Aquadrive anti vibration system in the drive line, which acts as a thrust bearing and transfers the thrust from the propeller directly to the hull and not the engine. The connection to the gearbox is through a constant velocity joint,

Top: The saloon, galley and dineTTe spaces Flow TogeTher To Form a luxurious yeT FuncTional area.

righT: The galley is sTacked wiTh appliances and spacious servery areas.

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PPB

TECHNICAL SPEC I F ICAT IONS

Contact: Website: www.flemingyachts.com

Design Name: Fleming 78Boat Name: "Life of Riley"Builder: Fleming YachtsCountry of Origin: TaiwanDesigner: Tony FlemingInterior Designers: Fleming YachtsYear Launched: 2011LOA: 24.84mLOH: 23.66mLWL: 20.05mBeam: 6.52mDraft: 1.52mDisplacement: 74.9 tonnesMax Speed: 19 knotsCruise Speed: 10 knotsFuel Capacity: 11356 litresWater Capacity: 1892 litresConstruction: GRPClassification: CE Ocean Cat "A"Engines Make: 2 x MAN V8 – 1000hpGearboxes: ZF 2050A 2.5:1Drive Train: ConventionalDrive Couplings: Aquadrive

Propellers: 38.5” x 34” four blade, NiBrAlGenerator: 2 x Onan 32kW 220V, 60HzInverter: 2 x Outback 3.5kWBattery Charger: Mastervolt 50 ampBattery Banks: House: Lifeline AGM Engine: Lifeline AGMAir Conditioning: CruisairBow Thruster: American BowthrusterStern Thruster: American BowthusterStabilisers: American BowthrusterWatermaker: 3 x Torrid HeatersDavit Crane: Steelhead ES1500Tender: 17' Boston WhalerLighting: Imtra LEDUnderwater Lights: Sea VisionAnchor Winch: 2 x Maxwell 3500 (hydraulic)Anchors: 2 x 120 Lb S/SSteering: Hypro Marine ECSEngine Controls: Glendinning EEC + back-upWipers: SpeichPaint (Topsides): GelcoatPaint (Antifouling): Petit 1088Stainless Steel: In-House

Portholes: ManshipHeads: Tecma & HeadhunterWood Finish: TeakUpholstery: Ultraleather & UltrasuedeHelm Chair(s): Stidd x3 ELECTRONICS Autopilot: FurunoGPS/Plotter: FurunoDepth Sounder: FurunoRadar: FurunoSonar: FurunoVHF: ICOMSSB: ICOMSatellite Dish: KVHSatphone: KVHEngine Instruments: MAN/BoningWind Instruments: MaretronSwitch Panel: Fleming YachtsVessel Management: Boning/FlemingBase Price: $??????Price As Tested: $??????

An aft-facing L-shaped settee area includes a table and space to starboard for a bench-type freezer. The forward portion of the lower level is primarily for entertain-ment 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 700kg 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.

capTion

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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 centralised hydraulic system, thus maintaining stabilising and bow thruster operations even when running on one engine. The F78 has 1.11sqm stabiliser fins with winglets and a 60hp, 400mm diameter bow thruster.The boat is equipped with Reverso Pumps for the lube oil transfer system on port and starboard sides of engine room, which is connected to the transmissions, main engines and gensets.

Practical PilothouseThe spacious Fleming 78 pilothouse has the feel of a bridge of a much larger vessel and is the nerve and social centre 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. Fleming Yachts prides itself on building boats to the highest quality, with safety and convenience given top priority in the design of all deck areas. All hardware is 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 fibreglass skirt concealing engine room air intakes and mood lighting. Warping winches to port and starboard eliminate the labour of adjusting mooring lines. The inward-opening transom door gives access to a 900mm 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 FlybridgeThe 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.

Top leFT: everyThing is provided For serious oFFshore passage making.

Top righT: The upper helm area has The necessary conTrol and insTrumenTaTion duplicaTions.

righT: aTTenTion To deTail is everywhere.