Fleming 60 Review (2025 Edition) by Aquaholic

On Deck

The Fleming 60's exterior begins with the extended California deck, lifted to saloon level for a natural flow between inside and out. This raised cockpit enhances sociability while delivering a practical working platform - ideal for fishing, line handling or just lounging in the shade under the lengthened overhang. Rod holders are fitted, deck furniture is pulled forward to keep the corners clear, and a stern docking station links neatly to the joystick control system. Teak has traditionally featured on Fleming cappings, but here it's been replaced by GRP mouldings - lower maintenance and just as handsome, with the option to wrap it for a faux-teak look if you still want the old-school aesthetic.

The California deck also benefits from moulded flybridge steps that conceal a generous storage locker beneath. Clear acrylic doors aft act as a windbreak when moored bow-to or lying at anchor in a breeze. The walkaround decks are textbook Fleming: deep bulwarks, secure rails, recessed cleats and Portuguese bridge protection that provides sheltered, confident movement forward even in heavy conditions. Side boarding doors, both low and high, make coming alongside flexible whether you're facing a low pontoon or a tall quay wall.

At the bow, twin stainless steel anchors on stainless chain speak to the boat's high spec and serious intent. Fresh and seawater washdown stations are fitted, and the seawater pump is time-limited to avoid disaster in case of hose failure. Dammed anchor trays and thoughtfully routed drainage ensure muck doesn’t trail back across your foredeck. Fixed backrests create a proper lounging spot when underway, and storage lockers hidden in the Portuguese bridge hold canopies and soft gear.

On the flybridge, a generous dinette sits under a hardtop, with great visibility and a proper helm station that mirrors the lower controls - joystick, hold-position, throttle and Garmin navigation, all with their own bonded systems independent from the lower helm. The boat deck aft is fully kitted: Highfield tender with 60hp engine launched by crane, storage for kayaks and a flight board, a grill station with fridge and sink, and hydrostatically released life rafts either side with quick-release rail sections for fast deployment. It’s robust, versatile, and very Fleming - practical without compromising comfort.

Inside, you find the traditional warm teak finish Fleming is known for, built for offshore use with functional features like ceiling grab rails and secure stowage. The galley sits at saloon level, ideal for sociable mealtimes or snack runs while underway. This owner has chosen a particularly high spec - full-height fridge-freezer, coffee machine, wine cooler, double ovens instead of the standard oven-plus-microwave combo, and proper deep sinks. The cooktop has fiddles to hold pans safely at sea. There’s a pull-out pantry for dry goods and masses of drawer and cabinet storage throughout.

The saloon itself is spacious and thoughtfully arranged, with a fold-out table, a hidden TV that rises from a side cabinet, and loose furniture to soften the space. The bridge is one step up, and fully closable - this is a command centre, not a casual perch. The helm layout is serious and well-spec’d: joystick control, twin disc systems, and a hold-position function that actively manages the engines and thrusters to keep the boat locked in place, whether you're prepping lines or waiting for a lock.

Electronics are all Garmin, with four screens and a handheld controller for navigation without stretching forward. The bonded systems onboard offer full digital oversight - engine temp, pressure, doors, pumps, electrical systems, alarms - and every readout is colour coded for at-a-glance monitoring. But if the system goes down, you still have access to all manual switchgear, neatly labelled behind a side panel. Even the bonding system is duplicated on the flybridge with its own independent controller. Power, helm and navigation redundancy is triple-layered, including a manual backup for the steering system and a separate autopilot.

Carpeting throughout the boat sits over teak-and-holly sole boards. These overcarpets are removable - great for shows or charters - and reveal a classic marine floor below.

Owner's Cabin

The owner's cabin sits midships and spans the full beam - a quiet, stable area of the boat with excellent natural light and thoughtful detailing. The ensuite includes a separate shower stall, towel rail and generous storage. But it's the walk-in wardrobe that stands out - not just a hanging rail, but a fully fitted space with shelves, pigeonholes and even a Dyson vacuum. 

Guest Accommodation

The forward guest cabin has been customised as a family suite, with a large double bed and two removable upper bunks. It’s an ideal space for young children to stay close to parents, and can easily be reconfigured if those extra berths aren’t needed. Across the corridor, the third cabin - normally home to a washer-dryer stack - has had that machinery relocated, freeing up a surprising amount of room. It now serves as a bunk room with more floor space, additional storage and a less cramped footprint.

Both guest cabins share a bathroom with separate shower and basin, and storage is plentiful throughout. Lockers are fitted with secure portholes, complete with blanking plates that can be dropped down in heavy weather for extra protection.

Crew Accommodation

While the Fleming 60 is typically owner-operated, this boat includes an optional overflow cabin aft of the engine room. Accessed via the deck or through the engine space, it includes air conditioning, heating, a head, natural ventilation, and a pull-out shower. It’s not meant as a full-time crew area, but it’s good for a delivery skipper or someone just along for the ride. Future builds will adjust the space further - reconfiguring the sink layout and opening up the room - but even now, it’s a quiet, practical retreat. If preferred, this space can be converted into a full lazarette instead.

Into the engine room and the serious cruising credentials of the Fleming 60 come into full view. The access is through a hatch with locking rail and step safety features - classic Fleming attention to detail. Standing headroom is near full-height for most, and the space is lit, vented and air-conditioned as well, to keep things workable in hot climates or long passages.

Twin MAN i6 800hp engines sit cleanly installed, delivering a top speed of around 20 knots and a cruising range of over 2,000 nautical miles at 8 knots. That kind of economy, paired with planing performance, is rare in a 60-footer. The fuel system includes switchable Racor filters, fuel tank crossover valves, and a high-spec polishing system that can transfer and clean fuel as needed - a centrifuge-style system that strips out water and contaminants.

Everything down here is laid out for real-world usability. Hoses are within reach, pipework is labelled, and the shaft drive is housed in oil-filled Seatorque tubes that reduce friction to the point you can spin the props by hand when in neutral. Lithium battery banks take the strain off the generator, and most key systems - including the electric stabilisers - can run through inverters alone. Steering systems are triple-redundant, and there’s full fire suppression and CCTV coverage. You can also control the generator fuel source manually and isolate tanks in case of contamination. 

The Fleming 60 carries all the hallmarks of a classic long-range cruiser. It’s built on a solid GRP hull with a traditional shaft drive, teak in the right places, and composite elsewhere for ease of upkeep. There’s no flashy brightwork to polish, and no pod or surface drives to complicate haul-outs. This is a boat that leans into tried-and-tested engineering - less about spectacle, more about getting you there and back with minimal fuss.

That’s not to say it’s a basic build as the twin MAN diesels, electric stabilisers and full fuel polishing setup do introduce a level of complexity, but it’s the kind of complexity you want - well-installed, easy to get at, and backed by smart redundancy. For an owner-operator who likes to lift a floorboard now and then, it’s a layout that makes sense. 

Running costs fall in line with this approach. A rough benchmark is 8-12% of the purchase price per year, covering mooring, insurance, scheduled maintenance and haul-outs. With no crew to pay, and no delicate systems to cosset, it should sit comfortably within the lower ownership cost band.

As ever, usage plays a role - the more miles you cover, the more you'll spend, and the same goes for mooring, whether you’re berthing in a full-service marina or laying up somewhere quieter.

This particular Fleming 60 is a fantastic example of what happens when an experienced owner partners with a high quality yard. Every decision has been made with purpose. It’s a passage-maker at heart, but one with comfort, flexibility and easy handling baked into it. There’s a backup for everything, and then backup for the backup.  

It’s a boat built to roam far, run quietly, and shelter everyone on board in total confidence. A capable, comfortable and quietly brilliant cruising platform that does the Fleming name proud.