Galeon 500 Fly (2019-)

Brief Summary

The Galeon 500 Fly brings innovation to features rarely seen in a Sport Yacht of this class and size. Powered by dual Volvo Penta 670 V-Drive diesel engines, the Galeon 500 Fly takes advantage of nearly every space onboard. Capable of sleeping up to six, she combines the accommodation of extended coastal cruising with the spontaneity of an enjoyable day on the water with family and friends, especially at anchor.

Key Features

• Folding down bulwarks
• Expansive fly bridge
• Aft settee on a 360-degree swivel base
• Hydraulic swim platform
• Foredeck arranged in "Bow Rider" Fashion
• Teak decks and swim platform
• Enclosed air conditioned salon

Test Results

Specifications

Length Overall	53'2" 16.20 m
Beam	14'8" 4.46 m
Dry Weight	50,155 lbs. 22,750 kg
Tested Weight	53,616 lbs. 24,320 kg
Draft	3'3" 1 m
Fuel Capacity	476 gal. 1,802 L
Water Capacity	172 gal. 651 L
Total Weight	53,616 lbs. 24,320 kg

Acceleration Times & Conditions

Time to Plane	11.4 sec.
0 to 30	11.6 sec. (0 to 20)
Load	3 persons, full fuel, no water, 50 lbs. of gear
Climate	76 deg., 70 humid; wind: 5-10 mph; seas: 0

Engine Options

Tested Engine	2 x 670-hp Volvo Penta D11
Std. Power	2 x 670-hp Volvo Penta D11-670

Captain's Report

Contents of Report

• Mission Statement

• Major Features

• Features Inspection

• Galley

• Salon

• Helm Station

• Accommodations

• Master Stateroom

• Engines, Mechanicals, and Tankage

• Performance

• Option Packages

• Observations

Mission Statement

At 53' (16.2 m) LOA, the Galeon 500 Fly's primary mission is to entertain. Leaving almost no option of entertainment unaddressed for a yacht of her size, she brings what are the makings of a thrilling day on the water.

Major Features

Folding Bulwarks. On both the port and starboard sides, the Galeon 500 Fly offers a feature yet to be seen on a boat of this class and size. Folding bulwarks on the side decks fold down, creating an additional entertaining area of nearly 90 sq. ft. (8.36 sq. m) when both are deployed.

Each has five vertical stainless steel stanchions, which have a safety line that runs at a height of 29" ( 73.66 cm) along the outside edge of the “new” deck. However, when the safety line and stanchions are removed, this makes a place from which to dive or jump into the water.

The side windows also slide forward, opening up the entire salon to the sea air.

The salon sofa converts into either a sun pad or lounge, while on the port side, two bar stools can be affixed outboard of the galley countertop. This arrangement creates a fantastic outdoor bar.

Aft Cockpit Rotating Settee/Sun Pad. The aft cockpit settee, which includes a telescoping teak table, rests upon a rotating swivel. This allows the settee to rotate a full 360 degrees so that it can face forward toward the swim platform or at any angle in between. When the table is lowered, the settee converts into a sun pad.

Beneath the settee is a dinghy garage that, when the settee is faced forward, can be opened from the swim platform to allow access to stowed water toys, fenders, and gear, which, when replaced, are kept conveniently out of the way. As an option, the space can also be fitted to serve as a crew berth.

Hydraulic Swim Platform. The 4' by 14' teak swim platform spans the full breadth of the beam of the Galeon 500 Fly and accommodates a tender. There is a boarding gangway incorporated into the port side, allowing for easy access on and off the yacht when both Med-moored and docked astern. A collapsible three-step stainless steel swim ladder is also incorporated on its starboard side.

Expansive Flying Bridge. Entertaining and gathering continues aboard the Galeon 500 Fly by ascending the steps from the aft deck onto the flying bridge, which feels more like an entertainment area unto itself than simply a secondary location from which to operate the yacht. Enough seating exists to accommodate a dozen guests. Aft is a broad settee, full folding table, and storage beneath.

The forward seating section of the settee is reversible to allow a rear or forward facing backrest. Forward of the settee is a full-sized sun pad which encompasses the full breadth of the bridge. Stowed between the wind screen and the sun pad is the Bimini, which retracts aft to cover the majority of the deck.

Furthering the entertainment function of the flying bridge, there is an outdoor wet bar on the port side, featuring a refrigerator, sink and storage cabinet. Additionally, a grill and ice-maker can be added. Finally, the helm station provides all of the necessary controls and electronics with which to navigate, operate and dock the yacht.

Features Inspection

Boarding the Galeon 500 Fly from the swim platform, three steps to either port or starboard lead up into the teak soled aft deck, where the rotating settee is located. The aft cockpit is shaded by the flying bridge overhang.

Galley

From the aft deck, the galley and salon areas are accessed by a three segment, folding glass door which has a flush threshold with the deck. Immediately to port is the galley, making it centrally located between the main salon dining area and aft cockpit, as well as easy access from the flying bridge directly above.

The galley countertops are Corian, with both a work top and a serving shelf. There is a two burner electric induction cooktop with a lighted overhead extraction fan. A refrigerator with freezer and microwave are incorporated into the walnut cabinetry. The twin-basin stainless steel sink is under mounted into the countertop and there are overhead cupboards as well as storage cabinets below the counter.

The galley counter converts into a bar serving area when the port bulwark is deployed and window retracted. To the right of the galley is the starboard-opposing sofa with the convertible backrest as shown below.

Salon

Stepping up into the main salon, the dining settee is to port, while to starboard, there is an opposing love seat arranged from two moveable ottomans which can be placed at the table for dining. The walnut dining table is both folding and telescoping. While the space is climate controlled, the windows can be electronically opened to allow a free flow of air. With the bulwarks deployed and all doors and windows retracted, the Galeon 500 Fly opens up almost entirely to the atmosphere.

The speakers for the entertainment system are mounted in the overhead and the television is cabinet mounted behind the love seat to be raised and lowered. The passage to the lower deck and cabins is forward and positioned on the centerline.

Helm Station

The helm is integrated into the salon, as seen in the photo above, and the doublewide helm seat rotates to face inboard. The console consists of two 12" navigation displays, a Volvo Penta 7" digital Electronic Vessel Control panel, dual lever throttles and thruster control, autopilot, and vessel service switches. Conveniently positioned above the console are all system, pressure, temperature, and level indicator gauges.

Accommodations

Five steps down lead to the three cabins and guest head.

Master Stateroom

Centered amidships and down three more steps is the owner's cabin. The queen-sized bed is positioned on the centerline with storage lockers beneath. Night stands are integrated on either side of the headboard with sconce reading lamps above and there is a lighted wardrobe closet. To starboard, there is a dresser beneath the hull side window, and beneath the port window is a vanity desk.

The master's head is accessed directly from the stateroom, has a Corian countertop with a decorative glass bowl sink, electric flush toilet, and separate shower with a wooden shower seat and glass door. An over-head skylight, as well as hullside windows, with an opening port light provide natural light to the space. It has an exhaust fan.

Forward Guest Cabin

Forward lies the VIP cabin. A double bed with drawer storage beneath and a lighted wardrobe locker appoint the space. Hull side windows run the length of the bulkheads, while above, the horizontal windows on the foredeck allow natural light to fill the cabin. Accent lighting, sconce reading lamps on either side of the headboard, and overhead lighting also provide illumination.

Starboard Side Guest Cabin and Guest Head.

Within the starboard guest cabin are two twin-sized bunks and storage lockers. The guest head is located opposite to port and is appointed similarly to the master's head with Corian countertop, decorative bowl sink, electric toilet and shower. The head serves both guest staterooms and is the day head.

Engines, Mechanicals, and Tankage

Propelled by two Volvo Penta D11-670 horsepower diesel engines with V-drive transmissions, the 500 Fly has a fuel capacity of 476 gallons (1,802 L) in two stainless steel tanks. The yacht is cooled by a 69,000 BTU Condaria chilled water air conditioning system which is powered by both 50 Amp shore power and an Onan 15 kW generator. She carries 172 gallons (651 L) of water along with a 16 gallon (61 L) hot water heater and has both grey and black water tankage of 103 and 63 gallons (389 L and 238 L), respectively.

Performance

The Galeon 500 Fly has a LOA of 53’2” (16.20 m), a beam of 14’8” (4.46 m), and a draft of 3’3” (1 m). With an empty weight of 50,155 lbs. (22,750 kg), full fuel, and three people onboard, we had an estimated test weight of 53,616 lbs. (24,320 kg). Powered by twin 670-hp Volvo Penta D11s, we reached a top speed of 35 mph at 2520 rpm. At that speed, we were burning 69.0 gph for a range of 217 statute miles.

Best cruise was 29 mph at 2200 rpm. At that speed, the fuel burn was reduced to 51.0 gph while still holding back a 10% reserve. We reached time-to-plane in 11.4 seconds and accelerated to 20 mph in 11.6 seconds.

Option Packages

This boat comes with a number of options as well as what Galeon calls a “Comfort Pack” and a “Luxury Pack.” The “Comfort Pack” includes most major items of electronics, among other things, and the “Luxury Pack” includes the hydraulic swim platform, among other things.

We recommend both packages as the boat then becomes “turn-key,” something that not only saves money but also eliminates aftermarket hassle.

Observations

The Galeon 500 Fly is built in Gadask, Poland and is imported into the U.S. by MarineMax. In addition to the features mentioned, it also has top-quality joinerwork throughout. All materials used and the build’s execution appear to be world-class.