It’s coming up to nine years since Galeon debuted the 500 Fly at the 2015 Cannes Yachting Festival, where its drop-down sides and waterside bar provided not just a wow factor but expanded the ways guests could enjoy life on the sea on a 50ft boat.
MarineMax, the world’s largest yacht distributor, was quick to spot a good thing and four months later announced it was the shipyard’s US dealer. The move helped transform Galeon – now producing about 350 boats annually – into one of the leading brands in one of the industry’s most competitive segments.
Also in 2016, Asiamarine started representing Galeon on the other side of the Pacific and today is the brand’s official representative in Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand, while overseeing a regional network of dealers in other markets.
Since debuting the ‘beach mode’ concept on the 500 Fly, Galeon has continued to add layer upon layer of innovation in all areas of its flybridge yachts, which now range from 40-80ft. The design still feels ahead of its time, while the brand’s competitors in the flybridge sector have generally been slow to respond.
The line’s two largest models – the 680 Fly and flagship 800 Fly – don’t feature drop-down sides, but otherwise fold-down bulwarks have become a staple of new Galeon flybridge models, such as the 400 Fly Review Issue 56Review Issue 64 of 640 Fly, and the New 440 Fly Review, Issue 74 And 560 Fly which was launched last year.
The 560 Fly is Galeon’s second-largest model to feature the wings, yet the brand’s ‘transformer’ DNA has moved to a new level on the newcomer, with both the main deck and flybridge offering functionality, flexibility and space that hasn’t been seen on a monohull this size to date.
CASTRO DOES NOT STOP THERE
First things first. Among an overall length of 58ft 6in, the modelhas a 53ft 5in hull with a 15ft 10in beam, which expands to 22ft 4inwhen in ‘beach mode’.
Tony Castro, who designs for Galeon and has done so since 2001, created a muscular exterior. Each hull side has a large band of dark, curved glazing. The superstructure is curvy and accentuates the saloon glass. It is complemented by the flowing side supports of the hardtop. Even before you board the 560 Fly, you feel like it offers ‘a lot of boat’.
A hydraulic aft deck can be used to carry a RIB, or tender. It sets the mood for fun with its ability of descending into the water. An integrated ladder at port opens to allow guests access. The transom incorporates a fold-out sofa that’s good for putting on flippers or watching over kids in the water.
The cockpit is accessed via port-side stairs. This area, covered by the overhang of the flybridge, has a large rectangular table with two pedestals fixed and a L-shaped sofa that wraps around to starboard. Stairs lead up to the flybridge, which is also located to port.
Galeon’s top deck features an open area aft that can accommodate a few sun loungers. Otherwise, Galeon is a master at maximising seating space and lounging on the go.
The two-part outdoor kitchen is flanked by hardtop supports and includes a L-shaped setup to starboard, with a fridge, sink, grill, and storage. Port has a second wet-bar with a fold-up grill, a countertop that can be fixed or a storage area and an ice maker. The cook, or anyone who is grabbing drinks can converse with guests on either side.
In the social area, there are not just one but two C shaped dinettes. Each dinette has a table that can be folded out to create a large table with seating all around. It’s a remarkable option, although it’s advisable for anyone planning to sit at the forward end to visit the head first.
The transformations don’t stop there. The forward backrest on each sofa can also be moved aft to create the bench seat sofa at the starboard helm. To port, by moving the backrest you can create matching companion seating which faces a sofa that extends under the windscreen. Throughout the fly, there’s storage under almost all the seating.
Look over the windscreen and you’ll see the foredeck, where a sofa faces a large sunpad that can fit backrests to create aft-facing seating and even has a small fold-up backrest at the forward end.
OPENING SALOON
Back to the cockpit and you’re at the heart of what makes this model different to any Galeon before. The integrated boarding gate on the bulwark allows access from either side even before the sides are lowered. The integrated glass lets you see through the floor when the sides are lowered.
The port bulwark allows access to the brand’s iconic waterside bar, where two stools can be inserted into the side deck and a foldout bar provides a platform for drinks and snacks. The large open window makes it easy to converse between the outdoor bar, the U-shaped galley, and the rest of the saloon.
On the 560 Fly, the rest of the cabin is difficult to identify because the sliding door on starboard can open up the entire aft portion of the salon when the bulwarks are down.
Galeon took it a step further, allowing the dinette to be expanded outside for alfresco dining. The starboard seat of each seat can be folded to create a bench sofa either side of the table, which also expands to double in size. Port has a waterside restaurant; starboard has a waterside lounge. It’s a winner.
Galeon’s aft saloon is open on three sides to the outdoors, allowing for indoor-outdoor living at a flybridge that is under 60ft. In fact, the enormous footprint and lack of barriers creates such a large sense of space that it’s easy to forget there’s more to explore inside.
It’s two steps up to the forward – or indoor – half of the saloon, where Galeon still manages to fit a C shaped sofa around a large table, which can electronically lower to seat height and be covered and converted into a double bed for extra guests. To starboard is a two-seat sofa that’s backed by a high low 50-inch TV. The large windows on both sides can be covered with electrically operated shades.
The starboard side of the helm features a bench-style sofa. To port, there are storage areas below the large windscreen. This also lights up the companionway on the lower deck and the hallway.
CREATIVE CABAINS
The master cabin has a full-beam, en suite bathroom in the midships. Meanwhile, the VIP cabin forward and guest cabin starboard both share a bathroom port. The bathroom is located next to the entrance of the master cabin. This bathroom has a huge hull-window that extends even to the walk in shower.
The double bed, which faces a large 50-inch TV and is flanked in the aft corner by massive hull window and two hanging cupboards, can be reached via two steps.
A hip-height storage cabinet – including a small fridge – runs along the starboard side, while to port is a desk cum vanity table beside a thick-cushioned seat, forward of which is a pull-out, two-level bottle drawer! There’s additional storage under the bed, under the TV and above the bedhead.
The guest room has two single beds and a wardrobe. However, the bed on the inside can be pushed to create a larger double. The room is also characterized by a large hull-window.
The VIP suite offers a lot of space, especially considering the bow position. There is over 7ft headroom below the bed. It’s naturally bright due to big side windows and three skylights including a central opening hatch that provides the option of fresh air.
On both sides of the bed – which faces a 32-inch TV on the aft bulkhead – there’s storage integrated into stylish, curved joinery, which includes a hanging cupboard to starboard. To port is a vanity table with swingout stool, and the door to the bathroom, which is like the owner’s and has a huge window spanning across to the walk-in shower.
The cabins are all beautifully finished with smooth joinery and lots of recessed lights. There is also a variety of textures in the bedheads, which adds to the appeal. And there’s even a twin crew cabin aft with access from the swim platform. Galeon’s forward-looking focus on flexibility and functionality shows no signs of slowing down.
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This article was first seen on yachtstyle.co
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