Fleming 55 v Fleming 65

[Freja]

We have owned a Fleming 55 and 65. We basically live on our 65. The 65 any day is better mainly due to space but also the extra displacement makes a huge difference to performance at sea. If you have instagram check @Freja_f65

 

[Ken E.]

So for Pirates Cove I thought there would be enough water on a 5 foot plus tide if you followed the black line. I thought you'd be okay with depth and the issue may be width. Isn't there a rocky shelf by the green marker? I could see a risk of kissing a stabilizer fin on what I remember as a shelf or ledge that was very close to the channel or in the channel.

That would be impressive to see an 80 footer enter Prideaux, local knowledge is king.

Pirates Cove is a good example for boats of this size being about the limit, not only for getting in and out but also the swing radius for anchoring. We use Pirates a lot,, as a staging spot for crossing the straits going up and also for the trip down. There's enough water at the entrance at about half tide or higher in my experience if you are careful. The rock shelf near the day mark is visible as you enter. For anchoring a 55 or 65 Fleming in there, you'd need to be in front the private dock to be able to swing. With other boats present, it might be that the 55 could do it but not the 65. There are many other similar limiting scenarios at other small anchorages.

 

[BandB]

There are many other similar limiting scenarios at other small anchorages.

Put simply, large boats may not be able to anchor at small anchorages or in close proximity to other boats.

I will extend this further. With the exception of the Bahamas where anchoring at all sizes is very popular, there is a general practical presumption that larger boats will tend toward marinas. Moorings are not generally available and anchorages are limited. Plus larger boats have more people aboard often and they want to access land. There are some major long distance cruisers with large boats who do regularly anchor, but if you look at ratios of anchoring and mooring balls vs. marinas and docks, you'll see the larger boats moving toward marinas. I saw this in the PNW and have seen it in New England. The one place the opposite occurs is Eastern Canada, specifically Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, where small boats are at the marinas and larger boats are very limited in some areas.

I would caution and agree for those who like to anchor in certain areas, a larger boat will force adjustment to marinas or different anchorages.

 

[rslifkin]

Put simply, large boats may not be able to anchor at small anchorages or in close proximity to other boats.

I will extend this further. With the exception of the Bahamas where anchoring at all sizes is very popular, there is a general practical presumption that larger boats will tend toward marinas. Moorings are not generally available and anchorages are limited. Plus larger boats have more people aboard often and they want to access land. There are some major long distance cruisers with large boats who do regularly anchor, but if you look at ratios of anchoring and mooring balls vs. marinas and docks, you'll see the larger boats moving toward marinas. I saw this in the PNW and have seen it in New England. The one place the opposite occurs is Eastern Canada, specifically Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, where small boats are at the marinas and larger boats are very limited in some areas.

I would caution and agree for those who like to anchor in certain areas, a larger boat will force adjustment to marinas or different anchorages.

That's an interesting observation. I'd expect the opposite in many areas, as larger boats will often be self-sufficient for longer periods of time, can carry bigger dinghies for shore runs, etc.

 

[BandB]

That's an interesting observation. I'd expect the opposite in many areas, as larger boats will often be self-sufficient for longer periods of time, can carry bigger dinghies for shore runs, etc.

They can, but choose not to. The anchorages small boats use are just too small, either too shallow, or not enough space. Boats above a certain size may anchor but not in what small boats list as their favorite anchorages. Yes, larger boats have tenders for shore runs, but are inclined to anchor and use those where marinas are not a choice.

Even when anchoring, it typically will be a different anchorage or often anchoring in a location you might not even consider an anchorage, just somewhere outside an inlet. This is also where you'll see larger boats anchoring in much deeper water.

There are no universal rules, but just the fact that many anchorages are eliminated by size and draft.

 

[bowball]

Few opinions. My wife and I looked at the 55 and 65. We ended up buying the 65. We manage it with the two of us (both in our 50s). We primarily have cruised the bahamas and have not had trouble finding slips though we anchor out 90% of the time. We have grown kids and the 55 certainly seemed cramped for 6 people. Think it would fine for two, but we appreciate the room for visitors, toys (scuba compressor, etc.), provisions, and larger dinghy capacity. We bought used but if I designed mine it would be midship master (much quieter).

Don't think you can go wrong with either.

Did you ever consider the mid ship 58?

I’m wondering if that is a better configuration or boat than the traditional 65.

The 58 has a higher center of gravity as the deck is raised, which 1. requires a step on the swim platform, amd a longer step down from the side gates but 2. Gives the engine room just under 6’ of head room which is more than the 65.

It’s 18” beamier than the 55 but 18” less than the 65.

 

[BDeffebach]

Did you ever consider the mid ship 58?

I’m wondering if that is a better configuration or boat than the traditional 65.

The 58 has a higher center of gravity as the deck is raised, which 1. requires a step on the swim platform, amd a longer step down from the side gates but 2. Gives the engine room just under 6’ of head room which is more than the 65.

It’s 18” beamier than the 55 but 18” less than the 65.

We considered 55’ to 75’. The first answer is that all are Flemings. They will all be capable of most things folks want from a trawler from the loop to a lot of open water, with amazing engineering and design forethought.
Now, if your open water is over 1000 miles, you are likely going to want a larger boat (provisions, fuel, sea keeping) and that points to the 65. I do not know, but I doubt that the open water ability of the 65 vs the 58 is that great for many missions (ie, less than 1k mile legs). I also think the maneuverability of the 58 vs 65 is de minimis for a competent captain, and the dock space is more a question of budget vs availability in my experience. A 65 was couple operable and fit our goals (anchoring out, longer runs, comfort in solitude, capability, decent ability to host guests).

I think it comes down to budget and mission. If your budget allows the 65, you get more engine headroom, storage, etc. as you pay more. If you don’t host 6 people, are more of a “cruising couple”, and are more budget oriented, the 58 may be perfect. Despite what is said above by another poster, I fundamentally believe that if you want a trawler and you do not have a specific mission in mind (a Nordhavn is better for crossing oceans), you will not go wrong with a Fleming - pick the one that fits your trawler dream.

 

[bowball]

The two advantages in the 58 is that actually engine headroom is higher in the 58 than the 65, though access is good in both, and the 58 does have a full beam midship master stateroom, where the 65 doesn’t. It does make the second guest room even tighter than it’s counterpart on the 65.

All other points you make seem quite valid. I was more interested in stability in rough seas with the higher COG between the two. Displacement does matter I imagine too.

 

[bowball]

Incidentally, the Australian couple that lives about their Fleming, Freja, started with a 55 then a 65 and and now just took delivery and are cruising on their new 85, as owner operators.