Galeon began building motor yachts at its Gdansk facility in 1982, but it was not until the release of Tony Castro Yacht Design’s 500 Fly that the company became a household brand in the world of yachting. This still-iconic flybridge motor yacht pioneered the brand’s ‘beach mode’ – describing the open cockpit when both balconies are lowered – and other transformer-style features.
Drop-down sides were also added to other flybridges, such as the 640 Fly (previously 460 Fly), 400 Fly (previous 460 Fly) and Skydeck (sportbridge). Although they don’t appear on the 680 Fly and flagship 800 Fly, the ‘wings’ have been fitted on selected models from the builder’s other ranges, which include Skydeck (sportbridge), HTC (hard top coupe), HTS (hard top sport) and the dynamic new GTO (grand touring outboard) series.
Galeon’s flybridge range has been expanded this year with two new models, the 560 Fly and the 440 Fly. These fill the gaps between the 400 and 500. Both new models had their world premieres at the Miami International Boat Show, where they were among nine Galeon models showcased with US representative MarineMax, the world’s largest yacht dealer.
In Europe, the two new Fly models were among six Galeons at September’s Cannes Yachting Festival. At late October’s Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, the 560 Fly was among nine Galeon models including the global debut of the 450 HTC, essentially the 440 Fly without the flybridge.
Asiamarine will deliver the first 440 in Asia in 2024. Asiamarine is the representative of Galeon in Hong Kong Singapore and Thailand, as well as managing the network of dealers in nine additional markets.
Asiamarine has sold over 60 Galeon yachts since taking on the dealership in 2016 and is confident the 440 Fly – which has an overall length of almost 46ft – will have a similar appeal to big sisters like the 500 Fly and 640 Fly, with another hull of the latter set to arrive in Thailand early next year.
“Galeon’s Fly models with the beach mode have all been successful in Asia and are the brand’s most popular models with clients looking for yachts of a certain size and quality,” said CEO Eric Noyel, who founded Asiamarine in 2013.
“I expect the 440 Fly to be a success because it expands on the 400 Fly and gives much more space in many areas, both inside and out, while including all the ‘transformer’ furniture Galeon is known for.”
FLEXIBLE Cockpit
The 440 Fly’s hull is 5ft longer than the 400 Fly’s and almost a foot wider, with a near-14ft beam. It’s apparent in the full-beam, hydraulic swim platform, which is about 5ft deep so big enough to carry a small tender or a jetski. The teak swim platform has a folding ladder with teak treads at port. A starboard stairway is revealed as the platform descends into the sea.
The platform gives access to the galley aft, where an articulating cover panel lifts up to reveal a counter, two sinks, and a grill. Surrounded by a grabrail, the ‘summer kitchen’ is cleverly designed and located, keeping smells and smoke away from the interior. Below, there are large lockers to store fenders and lines.
On either side of the transom, there are just two steps to the cockpit, where you realise the boarding gates don’t swing open but instead slide behind the sofa when not in use.
The teak used on the decks and balconies is also non-slip. When folded out, the bulwarks increase the yacht’s wingspan by 7ft to 20ft 8in, presenting an extra 3ft 6in on each side.
The cockpit is equipped with an L-shaped sofa facing forward. Starboard’s backrest can also be moved inwards, creating a sofa or daybed that faces outwards. This allows for a great view of the sea from the balcony. The exterior upholstery comes in three colors: tan with mocha or white with mocha.
The table measures 5ft3in in length, but its port side can be folded back to make more space near the flybridge stairs or the entrance to the salon. Three sliding doors can be folded together to create a large opening to the cockpit.
Galeon’s ‘transformer’ DNA even infuses the interior furniture. The aft end of the saloon’s C-shaped sofa has a movable backrest, so can offer an aft-facing sofa allowing communication with friends in the cockpit.
As if that wasn’t enough, the same sofa can even swivel 90 degrees to starboard and create an extended, if slightly clunky, J-shaped seating arrangement linking guests in both the cockpit and saloon, even the forward galley.
FLYBRIDGE FANTASTIC
It’s a little more conventional in the bow. Two symmetrical sides decks lead up to the foredeck, which has a triple sunpad and adjustable backrests. In the forward end, there is a fold-up, hidden backrest, that can be used as a small couch.
Galeon’s Fly series is renowned for the size of its flybridges and the 440 Fly backs up this reputation. The top deck can be reached via the port staircase, which leads to an outdoor galley. This is a functional space that could look better if it were streamlined.
The flybridge – which can be covered by an optional foldable bimini – is fitted with a long J-shaped sofa that wraps around the aft end and along the starboard side, where the helm’s benchseat backrest can be moved forward to offer more table seating.
When fully opened, the table is a whopping 7ft 7in long – but this is a Galeon, so it’s not fixed. The aft section can be pushed forward to create more room, and the port corner panel at the forward end can be folded back to allow for easier access.
As if there wasn’t enough space for family and friends, the forward port corner has an L-shaped sofa that faces the table and completes the expansive seating on all four sides of the flybridge.
BREEZE ON BOTH SIDES
If the step up from the 400 Fly to 440 Fly is readily evident in the outdoor areas, it’s equally so inside, where the saloon feels far more liveable. The beige ceiling features rectangular lighting panels and white or beige upholstery to keep it light. Dark walnut, beech and gloss walnut are among the upgrade options for cabinetry.
To starboard is a C-shaped sofa, and a high-low table that can fold out to seat up to six people, and the saloon’s biggest windows, with pull-up shades among options. To port there is a bench-style sofa with two seats, flanked by a storage unit for the high-low television. In the aft corners is a diagonal cabinet, and the angle protrusions are due to the stairs on the flybridge.
The helm station is two steps forward, with a sofa for two and a customised console that can accommodate multiple screens. There’s also a large side door, allowing deck access for the skipper and a through breeze for everyone inside.
There’s also fresh air to port, where the C-shaped galley benefits from an almost 4ft-wide window that can electrically open to provide ventilation and clearer views, making it a pleasure to cook and prep here. There’s storage overhead, while below the cooktop is a microwave oven, half-height Isotherm fridge and a slim but very deep, three-level pullout rack for bottles and condiments.
The galley’s aft section has a lot of storage, drawers and a sink that has a removable cover. This can be placed into an insert and used as a backsplash or divider between the saloon and the galley.
CABIN CONFIGURATIONS
The 440 Fly comes in three different lower-deck layouts. These range from two en-suite bedrooms to two completely different three-cabin designs, each with its own two bathrooms. Each cabin and bathroom is equipped with a magnetic latch to keep the door closed, an improvement in safety.
The first hull for Asia features the ‘standard’ three-cabin layout, with a full-beam master with en-suite midships, a port bunk cabin, forward VIP and day head to starboard.
The master bedroom is located two steps below the lower deck hall. It has an interesting mix of ceiling and floor heights. From 6ft 9in at the port side of the bed, to just under 4ft to the starboard, there are a variety of options. The large en-suite to starboard features a high ceiling with a separate walk-in-shower.
This layout has a forward VIP with a double bed that is angled (or scissor beds) and tucked away on the starboard side. The bed can be accessed only from the port. There are also three skylights, including one with an opening hatch. The dayhead to starboard features a large hull-window above the sink. A toilet and shower are located on the other side.
The ‘conventional’ three-cabin layout has a more spacious version of the forward cabin, which becomes the master and has an en-suite to starboard, while the two guest cabins midships share a smaller bathroom to port. In contrast, the two cabin option has the largest versions for the midships and the forward cabins. They also have the most impressive en suite bathrooms, with large hull window.
Galeon is guilty of anything, it’s of trying to squeeze in too much downstairs in a 41ft hull also housing an engine room with two Volvo Penta D6 inboards. However, the shipyard remains a class leader in outdoor living and the flexibility of its social zones, with the 440 Fly a welcome additional offering for ‘beach mode’ fans.
www.galeon.pl
www.asiamarine.com
This article was first published on yachtstyle.co
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