For Tim Armand, the gleaming expanse of the water has been a lifelong calling, a canvas upon which he’s painted a rich tapestry of nautical adventures. As his brand-new Fleming 85 Enclosed Bridge, christened "St. Somewhere," sliced gracefully through the waters off Greenport, New York, one thing became abundantly clear: this stunning vessel, while seemingly the pinnacle of his boating dreams, might not be the final chapter. "Never say final," he quipped, a knowing chuckle hinting at the enduring allure of the open sea.
Tim's maritime journey is a testament to this very sentiment. It began humbly with a 1967 Shell Lake, that quintessential "little red runabout" that sparked a lifelong passion. From there, his horizons expanded, encompassing a fleet of sailboats before transitioning to the world of motor yachts. A 36-foot Carver, a 44-foot Sea Ray, a 48-foot Sea Ray motor yacht, a 57-foot McKenna, a 65-foot Outer Reef, and a 75-foot Viking Motor Yacht all played their part in shaping his understanding of the perfect vessel.
But it was the Fleming 55 that first truly captured his imagination. "It was my dream boat from the time I ever first laid eyes on it," Tim fondly recalled. Yet, destiny had other plans, and the timing never quite aligned. As the quest for their "ultimate boat" intensified, the desire for a country kitchen and an enclosed bridge became paramount. They even came close to committing to another traditional yacht that offered these features.
Then, in December 2020, a game-changer emerged. News arrived that Fleming was unveiling an 85-foot model that offered the coveted optional enclosed bridge and a spacious country kitchen. "I called my friends at Burr Yacht Sales and said, 'Where have you been hiding this thing?'" he recounted, the excitement still palpable in his voice. Within a mere 24 hours, the deal was sealed. Tim was determined to secure an early hull number, and "St. Somewhere" became hull number three.
The process of bringing "St. Somewhere" to life was, by all accounts, a joyous and collaborative endeavor. Tim couldn't praise Fleming enough for their client-centric approach. "I can't speak highly enough of Fleming and the way they work so collaboratively with their clients, and the answer to everything is almost always yes," he enthused. While the pandemic prevented Tim and his wife, Lisa, from witnessing the build firsthand in Taiwan, they remained deeply involved, incorporating design modifications that perfectly suited their cruising lifestyle.
Fleming offered a remarkable degree of customization. "They give you a lot of choices to make, but they also allowed for some reasonably significant changes as well, like that day head in the pilothouse," Tim explained. Thoughtful additions like a climate break at the top of the bridge stairs ensured that opening the enclosed bridge wouldn't compromise the air conditioning below. Even the master shower was reimagined as a more accommodating bathtub for a future grandbaby, showcasing the personal touch infused into the design.
Beyond regular communication, Fleming provided an extensive visual chronicle of the entire construction process. From the initial layup to the intricate preliminary woodwork and the final sea trials, Tim amassed an impressive archive. "I probably have 8,000 pictures of the build," he shared, marveling at the intricate journey of creation. "It's an amazing process to see."
As Tim and Lisa embarked on their maiden voyages along the East Coast, "St. Somewhere" became an instant sensation. From seasoned day boaters to dedicated Fleming enthusiasts, everyone they encountered was captivated, eager to learn more about this unique vessel. Her timeless lines and elegant styling made her a head-turner, and the enclosed bridge sparked particular interest. "Fleming doesn't build an enclosed bridge," was a common refrain, to which Tim would proudly reply, "Well, they do now."
During their coastal explorations, the enclosed bridge proved its worth time and again. In inclement weather, the air-conditioned sanctuary offered a tranquil escape. When the skies cleared, opening the side and aft doors transformed the space, filling it with the invigorating sea air and the soothing sound of water gliding along the hull. For Tim, the enclosed bridge wasn't just a feature; it was a game-changer.
"I understand that it doesn't look exactly the same as all the other Flemings," Tim acknowledged, "but the adaptability that we have and the flexibility that we have and getting the country kitchen that my wife loves is perfect for us. It's been great. It's been everything we'd hoped for."
The versatility of the Fleming 85 extends beyond its design to its impressive performance capabilities. On paper, the twin 1,550-horsepower MAN V-12 engines promise both ocean-crossing range and exhilarating 25-knot top speeds. Tim confirmed the top-end performance but revealed his preference for a more leisurely cruising speed in the 10- to 12-knot range.
"The speed at 20 knots is only a 65-percent engine load," Tim explained, highlighting the efficiency even at higher speeds. "For us, I don't want to say that's purring along, but that's an all-day speed. I don't really focus on wide-open throttle speed; you're never going to run it that way. But the real all-day legit cruising speed is in the low 20s for sure."
At a comfortable 10 knots, "St. Somewhere" sips a mere 14 gallons of fuel per hour, translating to an impressive range of over 2,200 miles with her nearly 3,200-gallon fuel capacity. At an even more economical 8 knots, fuel consumption drops to just 8 gallons per hour. Even at idle speed (6½ knots), the yacht burns a remarkably low 4 gallons per hour. "I don't think anyone would cross an ocean at idle speed," Tim chuckled, "It'd be a long trip across the Atlantic, but you could. We only fuel up a few times a year."
"St. Somewhere" is also equipped with a cutting-edge bank of seven lithium-ion batteries housed in an air-conditioned machinery space forward of the engine room. This impeccably organized "engineer's dream room" also features four stacked 4-kW inverters, providing a substantial 16 kW of inverter power for silent, off-the-grid living.
For Tim and Lisa, "St. Somewhere" is more than just a luxurious vessel; it's a platform for connection and shared experiences. Born entertainers, they relish the opportunity to share their good fortune and their magnificent boat with others. One of their first major cruises aboard the 85 took them to the Bahamas, where they joyfully welcomed 19 guests over a six-week adventure. And that number doesn't even include the countless boating friends, both old and new, who joined them along the way.
"We'll have friends, family, buddy boaters all together," Lisa shared, her voice filled with warmth. "We will either get together in the evening on their boat or ours and have cocktail hour and dinner. One of my favorite pictures is of when we had five or six dinghies just hanging off the back of the boat from people visiting."
Lisa aptly described the scene as the "ultimate adult version" of a yard full of kids' bikes, a testament to the vibrant social hub "St. Somewhere" has become. "And because of the configuration of this boat with the dining room and the galley, we can seat 30 people for dinner without busting out a folding chair," she added, highlighting the yacht's exceptional entertaining capabilities. Their philosophy is simple yet profound: "Nothing is worth having if you can't share it." While they frequently host loved ones, the beauty of the 85 is that it's also perfectly manageable for just the two of them.
Despite her impressive size – a 20-foot air draft, a 20-foot, 6-inch beam, and a substantial 183,000-pound displacement – "St. Somewhere" handles with surprising ease. In most marinas, Tim and Lisa manage the docking themselves, reserving the two crew cabins for ample storage. (A single captain's cabin option is also available for those who prefer crew assistance.)
Aiding the docking process are the yacht's six strategically placed control stations: the main helm and five wing stations. "This is, by a very wide margin, the easiest boat to operate I've ever owned because of the joysticks and the thrusters and all that good stuff," Tim asserted. He lauded the impressive position-hold ability and the precise maneuverability offered by the joystick and shifters, which allow the propellers to slip for enhanced control at low RPMs. The full keel also contributes to the yacht's predictable handling, responding precisely to helm commands. Tim confidently recounted navigating "St. Somewhere" in and out of remarkably tight spots thanks to these advanced systems.
Yet, for Tim, the true essence of owning "St. Somewhere" lies not in its impressive specifications or luxurious amenities, but in its ability to facilitate escape and foster deeper connections with loved ones. As their destination came into view, the question arose: what has boating, and specifically the Fleming 85, brought to his life? After a moment of thoughtful reflection, Tim shared, "I think having raised my kids on the boat and then having been raised as a kid on a boat, I think boating is very family oriented. It's a great way to get away from it all and connect with each other. I think it's made my family relationships tighter in all directions, between us and our kids, our kids with each other and then with our friends. I think it's a socially binding activity that brings people together in a lovely environment. What's not to love?"
Witnessing Tim and Lisa effortlessly dock the substantial yacht, donning headsets and maneuvering with the ease of handling a small dinghy, was a testament to his words. Moments later, Lisa's joyful exclamation and run down the dock to embrace her daughter, whom Tim had flown in as a birthday surprise, underscored the true heart of "St. Somewhere." This magnificent Fleming 85 is indeed a vessel of the highest caliber, but its true brilliance shines brightest when its journey is shared with the warmth of family and friendship.
