2001 55 Pilothouse Motor Yacht

2001 Fleming 55 Flybridge

Leigh-Smith Yachts are proud to present to the market the 2001 Fleming 55 Pilothouse Motor Yacht LIBERTY VII one of the most respected long-range cruisers ever built, and a yacht that has clearly been used and maintained for by the current owners for over eight years. 

Powered by Twin Cummins QSM11 450hp diesels paired with a full Raymarine electronics Package — including dual screens, Raymarine open array radar, Raymarine autopilot, Naiad hydraulic stabilizers, and a Wesmar bow thruster. Onan generator 15KW, a Victron inverter, new AGM house batteries (2025), freshly antifouled, fully detailed and polished (2026), new teak cap rail varnish (2024) round out a well-maintained, expedition-ready yacht. 

Special attention has been paid to the ability to set and retrieve heavy ground tackle on the Fleming 55. The fiberglass anchor platform is equipped with Lofrans 1500 vertical windlass capstan for both rope and 13mm galvanized chain. (New). The windlass has a 3plug-in remote control as well as controls in the pilothouse and on the flybridge. Salt and fresh water deck wash are located next to the anchor platform. 

The flared bow turns aside green water and provides a forward deck of unusually generous proportions. The oval stainless-steel handrail has been brought inboard of the sloping bulwarks for convenience and security. To prevent streaking of the hull, the deck scuppers are piped down to the boot stripe, rather than being allowed to drain directly overboard.

Further protection against heavy weather is provided by the design of the Portuguese bridge. There is comfortable seating on its forward side, which is also the location for the forward shore power inlet. There is ample storage for fenders and lines inside ventilated lockers accessed from the aft side of the Portuguese Bridge, and double doors close off the forward deck areas from the side and bridge decks creating a safe area for small children. There are sturdy, stainless steel handrails around the forward face of the pilothouse and down both side decks.

Easy stairs with handrails designed for both adults and children lead down to the wide and well-protected side-decks, which run down both sides of the boat. Here you will find cleats and chocks for forward and aft spring lines. The inward-opening bulwark doors make for easy and safe boarding. 10mm polycarbonate side doors on both sides close off the breeze while into the wind on anchor. 

With an area of approximately 250 sq ft. the Fleming 55 aft deck is unusually large. Being all at one level, it becomes an extension of the saloon and provides ample space for chairs, donning scuba gear, or fishing. The fiberglass skirt around the edge of the wide teak cap rail conceals mood lighting and hides the engine-room air intakes which are well-protected from salt-laden spray.

Shower fittings for hot and cold water, located next to the inward-opening transom door, are conveniently placed for use while standing on the swim platform. Stainless steel handrails on the transom and a swim ladder, which can be deployed by a person in the water, provide safety and convenience.

Access to the upper boat deck is via a stainless-steel ladder and a sliding hatch in the overhead. Access into the lazarette is through lockable hatches, with safe and stylish curved corners. A console for cockpit engine controls and a locker. 

The Fleming 55 low-profile flying bridge is spacious and packed with practical amenities. Single helm seat, with folding stainless steel footrest. The control console has full engine instrumentation and ample room for electronics. Access to and from the pilothouse is by a protected internal companionway directly from the pilothouse, avoiding the need to navigate perilous steps or ladders where a slip could result in a fall over the side. A wrap-around venturi windshield with stainless steel handrail provides protection from wind and weather.

There is seating for eight guests, but out of the way of the helm station. A fiberglass table is standard and an ingenious pass-thru dumbwaiter eliminates the need to carry refreshments up from the galley. Aft of the seating area is the separate boat deck for the tender and a fully hydraulic davit, with remote control. From here, a ladder provides direct access to the lower aft deck.

The hardtop with radar arch provide ample room for the full range of electronic equipment and antennas.

The saloon in the Fleming 55 features a comfortable L-settee with cushions upholstered over wood frames instead of the usual foam cushions on plywood. The sole is hand-laid teak and holly, and all built-in furniture is of superior quality joiner work with rounded corners. There is a table with unique design making it suitable for dining and as a coffee table. To starboard is a cabinet with TV and space for entertainment system components. To port is a bar with a small bar fridge. The saloon opens directly onto the aft deck through double sliding doors.

The galley with Corian bench top is conveniently located on the same level as the saloon and is properly designed to be used while underway. There are ample storage lockers and drawers, and appliances include a Westinghouse side-by-side fridge/freezer with chilled water & ice dispenser, Miele induction cooktop with practical custom stainless steel pot-holders, Miele convection microwave, and an undermount double stainless steel sink with waste disposer, and Miele dishwasher. A 20-gallon water heater is conveniently located close to the sinks for instant hot water. A pass-through dumbwaiter makes it safe and easy to serve food and drinks to guests on the flying bridge.

Fleming's signature low-profile design is evident even in the interior, as just a few steps lead up to pilothouse and down to the accommodations.

The perfect close to a day of cruising is to retire to a comfortable cabin. The Fleming 55 offers easy access to all the accommodations via a central passageway. A separate washer and dryer are conveniently located behind a sliding door in this passage.

The master cabin is forward for maximum light and ventilation. It features a tapered queen berth with headboard. The bed lifts to access storage for bulky items. There are two hanging lockers with shelves, teak louvered doors and space for a TV.

The master cabin has an ensuite head with Corian countertop and a molded fiberglass shower stall. Hans-Grohe faucets are used throughout and feature a thermostatically controlled shower.

The port guest cabin with two single and an additional slide-out upper berth. The aft bulkhead has generous bookshelves. The starboard guest cabin has one lower and one upper slide-out berth.

The guest head features a one-piece fiberglass molding and shower stall with bi-fold stainless steel doors. The attractive ceramic basin is set in a Corian countertop. Faucets are Hans-Grohe with a thermostatically controlled shower.

Throughout the yacht all lighting is with polished stainless steel fittings. Teak and holly soles are standard in all interior areas.

The Fleming 55 engine room is meticulously well thought out and provides easy accessibility to every piece of equipment. 

A signature feature of the Fleming 55 is its quietness and freedom from vibration. Much of the credit for this lies with the Aquadrive system, which isolates the engine and transmission from the propeller thrust, permitting the use of much softer engine mounts. Aquadrive is fitted as standard on every Fleming 55 and their rotating couplings are concealed beneath fiberglass covers for safety.

Another reason for the quietness of the Fleming is the careful attention paid to sound insulation. Lead/foam insulation is used extensively throughout and all hatches are dogged down on rubber gaskets. There are even double hatches separated by an air space over each engine.

Fuel tanks are made of fiberglass with integrally molded sumps to allow maximum usage of fuel. Vinylester resin is used in their construction on the interior and fire-retardant resin in the outer layers. The fuel system has been designed to make the transfer of fuel foolproof. It is impossible to inadvertently overfill one tank by incorrectly switching a fuel return valve.

Access to the engine room is via two hatches in the saloon sole and from the lazarette through a uniquely shaped oval door designed for easy access. Engine room intake air enters from the lazarette to ensure it is free of salt before reaching the engines and generators.

For safety and convenience each Cummins QSM11 450HP engine has a start and a stop button located in the engine room, and a PTO (power take-off) on the gearbox provides hydraulic power for the stabilizers which are standard equipment on all Flemings.

Inside the large lazarette are four polyethylene water tanks totaling 300 gallons (1,135 liters), battery master switches, and a 3,500 watt inverter. Two air conditioning compressors provide heating and cooling through four air handlers for the entire yacht. Against the transom is the steering system with its connection point for the autopilot. The tops for the rudder stocks terminate above the waterline. Despite all this equipment there remains 95 cu. ft. of storage for fenders and other cruising gear. Access to the engine room is through the oval-shaped door.

In many modern designs it has become fashionable to eliminate the inside steering station, but the Fleming 55 features a pilothouse which closely resembles the bridge of a much larger vessel. Fleming created a dedicated place from which the boat is piloted and controlled without any distractions from other on-board activities which is still only three steps from the saloon and galley. Four interior steps safely lead to the upper flying bridge station.

Specially designed removable consoles provide ample room for a full range of modern electronic equipment without intruding on the engine instrumentation. Overhead consoles provide additional space. There is also a proper chart area with drawers and a chart light. Electrical panels swing out to provide easy access to wiring connections and the inside of the flying bridge console is accessed through a swing-out bookcase. The watch-keeper has their own Stidd helm seat and an adjacent, raised L-shaped settee and table provide a comfortable social area with excellent visibility through the side and forward windows.

LIBERTY VII is truly and magnificent vessel with timeless lines built with passion and pedigree from one of the worlds finest yacht builders, an inspection will not disappoint. 

For further details or to arrange a private viewing of LIBERTY VII, please contact the professional Leigh-Smith Yachts team.