What were John Fleming’s innovations after exactly 60 years of reliable servo-pendulum wind vane self-steering?
Technical innovation summary John Fleming’s crucial twin design innovations incorporated in the Hebridean are seminal: 1. The solution combines frame and pendulum in a single simple unit that can be removed and stored when not required. 2. To enable full power and sensitivity across its range of movement the Hebridean permits the efficient use of…
Choosing and cutting up wood for your Hebridean wind vane
Cutting up your wood for the Hebridean is not complicated. John suggested asking a joiner to carefully cut the pieces if you don’t have access to a table saw.
Ashes of John Fleming consigned to the sea
On Saturday John Fleming’s sister, her husband, children and I, piloted by Annan Dryburgh, took his ashes out from Plockton to commit them to the sea. It was a warm, sunny, calm autumn day with all the time in the world for reflection, recollection and a toast to the memory of brother, uncle, friend and…
Printable Hebridean intro sheet
Here is our new printable pdf describing the Hebridean in a single page. Hebridean.Introduction.pdf
Summer testing
We will be testing the Hebridean in NW Scotland during the month of July. Please bear with us if we are a little late dealing with your enquiry.
John Fleming a video tribute
Here is a 10 minute video tribute to the Hebridean’s designer, John Fleming. It was aired at his Life Celebration at “The Tipi” at his family home, The Dell, Nethy Bridge, 19 April 2023. An amazing life! https://www.sgmarkphotography.com/Client-Area/John-Fleming Use password: sleepyeagle …which was the name of his boat, a Pioneer 10.
John Fleming 1951-2023
JOHN FLEMING 1951 – 2023 teacher yachtsman inventor thinker In celebration of John’s full and varied life, his family invites his many friends to a Celebration Gathering to remember John and all that he meant to us. Please join with us at The Tipi in the Dell of Abernethy, Nethy Bridge, Inverness-shire PH25 3DL https://www.thedellofabernethy.co.uk/…
SAD NOTICE: John Fleming
John, the designer of the Hebridean, gently slipped away on 22 February 2023 in the company of family members and the team at Lynemore Care Home, Grantown. He was unafraid. John was cremated with his immediate family in attendance on 7 March. A memorial service will be held in April. RIP John.
Have you named your Hebridean?
Once installed, the apparent presence of ‘an invisible person’ helming your sailing vessel invites its baptism with a human name. When John Fleming described to me some of the life of his Bermudian privateer grandsire, there was only one name for my Hebridean. Hezekiah! Here is a fascinating account of the life of Hezekiah Frith…
2023 Prices and VAT
With the hand-over from John, I have had to face the fact that VAT must now be added to the Hebridean prices for UK buyers. It does mean a price increase, which may or may not make you feel good about helping out our cash-strapped UK government. Sorry for this outrage! Please see our Plans…