Galeon 470 SKY (2020-)

Brief Summary

One of the newest boats in the Galeon fleet, the 470 SKY has a sky deck and upper helm station that can be covered by a retractable canvas. A large cockpit transitions cleanly into the salon, creating an open area for entertaining.

The fold-out side gunwales add versatility and opening salon windows enhance the al fresco experience. There’s seating on the bow and belowdecks accommodations include a full-beam master.

Key Features

• Spacious skydeck with retractable canvas
• Fold-out aft gunwales
• Bow seating with a table
• Cockpit and salon tables can be lowered
• Full-beam master belowdecks
• Galley on the salon level

Test Results

Specifications

Length Overall	47' 5" 14.35 m
Beam	14' 4" 4.37 m
Dry Weight	36,376 lbs. 16,500 kg
Tested Weight	39,271 lbs. 17,813 kg
Draft	4' 3" 1.30 m
Bridge Clearance	15' 10" 4.83 m
Fuel Capacity	396 gal. 1,499 L
Water Capacity	172 gal. 651 L
Total Weight	39,271 lbs. 17,813 kg

Acceleration Times & Conditions

Time to Plane	9.5 sec.
0 to 30	17.8 sec. (0 to 20)
Load	4 persons, 1/2 fuel, 3/4 water, 50 lbs. of gear
Climate	78 deg., 75 humid; wind: 5-10 mph; seas: <1

Engine Options

Tested Engine	2 x 600-hp Volvo Penta D8

By Capt. Martin Frobisher

Mission Statement

The Galeon 470 SKY is designed for local cruising and entertaining. She’s built in Poland and sold primarily through the MarineMax chain of dealerships. As the name suggests, her skydeck is a highlight with a helm station and plenty of seating.

On the main deck, the cockpit transitions smoothly into the salon and sections of the aft gunwales fold out to create more entertainment/ lounging areas. Belowdecks, she has a full-beam master, plus a spacious VIP cabin in the bow.

Features Inspection 

The Skydeck. Since the boat is called the “Skydeck,” we’re going to start with this. The skydeck is accessed from stairs in the aft port corner. The boat has a horseshoe-shaped lounge to starboard with a doublewide seat at the helm to port. All the way to port is the VHF radio. Just alongside is a multifunction display with the bow thruster joystick and the Fusion stereo remote between the screen and the steering wheel. The digital controls are to starboard. Forward are the engine screen and the autopilot.

The Bow. From the sky deck, we could look forward and see the foredeck including the bow lounges. Removable backrests can be positioned all around the cushions and there’s a table that plugs into a deck socket. Outboard, full-height rails wrap the foredeck. In the forepeak, the boat comes standard with a windlass and galvanized anchor and rode.  

The Cockpit. As we work our way aft from the bow, the side passageways are wide enough that an adult can travel on them without turning sideways. At amidships, it’s two steps down to the cockpit level. Steps on the port side lead aft to the swim platform. An optional hydraulic lift for the platform is available.  On the platform, you can access the electric grill, a fold-out seating area and a storage compartment. The aft passageway closes with a gate framed in stainless steel.

A lounge wraps around a table that’s built on stainless-steel posts, which can be adjusted for height. A hatch in the deck provides access to the engine room. For respite from the sun, the superstructure extends aft over the cockpit. In the optional Beach-Mode package, the port and starboard gunwales fold out to widen the cockpit. It has two barstools and a fold-out bar area on the port side for two people to enjoy al fresco dining.

The Salon. Doublewide glass doors framed in stainless steel open full-width to create a flow between the 470 SKY’s cockpit and salon. The salon windows also open to help enhance the flow. To starboard, there is a cabinet with a large serving platform and ample storage underneath. The galley to port has a sink, two-burner stove and microwave down low. There’s ample countertop space for food preparation and to save space, the refrigerator and freezer are under the counter.

Forward to port is a larger horseshoe-shaped lounge that should seat at least six around an adjustable-height table. To starboard, there’s a doublewide seat at the lower helm, which has the engine screen to port and the multifunction display in the center ahead of the steering wheel. The bow thruster joystick is to port of the wheel and below the accessory switches are in a flat panel. Working aft on the starboard side, the autopilot is in the vertical panel next to the MFD ahead of the ignition controls. Just aft are the digital Volvo Penta shift/throttle levers.

Accommodations

The Master. Stairs between the helm and the dinette lead down to an open foyer area that has plenty of natural light from all of the glass overhead. A companionway leads aft to the full-beam master stateroom. The berth is on the centerline with a single-person seat to port plus a jewelry box and mirror ahead. To starboard is a large hanging locker along with several other smaller cabinets aft. To port, the en suite head has a separate shower stall and a vessel sink. Forward, the VIP cabin in the bow has stairs on both sides of the island berth with lockers in each aft corner. There’s a private entry to the head that this cabin shares with the guest quarters to starboard. This head also has a separate shower stall and similar amenities. The aforementioned guest cabin to starboard has over-under single berths and a small hanging locker. 

 Advanced Design. Galeon has had a long history with Tony Castro Design Studio where they maintain a balance of traditional and current architecture and technology.   

Performance

The Engines. Standard power in the Galeon 470 SKY is twin 600-hp Volvo Penta D8 diesel inboards with V-drive transmissions. The engines are equipped with Volvo Penta’s Vessel Control System. Propeller shafts are stainless steel and the propellers and rudders are bronze. The boat comes standard with hydraulic trim tabs with position indicators.

The Galeon 470 SKY has an LOA of 47’5” (14.45 m), a draft of 4’3” (1.3 m) and a beam of 14’5” (4.39 m) with the wings in. With the wings folded out, she has a beam of 18’7” (5.66 m). With 188 gallons (711.66 L) of fuel, 122.12 gallons (462.27 L) of water and four people aboard, we had an estimated test weight of 39,271 lbs. (17,813 kg).

With dual Volvo Penta D8 diesel engines, we hit a top speed of 34.4 mph at 3100 rpm. Best cruise came in at 2400 rpm and 25.3 mph.  At that speed, the 38 gph fuel burn translated into 0.6 nmpg and a range of 205.9 nautical miles, all while still holding back a 10% reserve of the boat's 396-gallon (1,499-L) fuel capacity. At trawling speed, we recorded a speed of 5.1 mph at 600 rpm and 7.8 mph at 1000 rpm. The boat planed at 12.4 mph in 9.2 seconds and we reached 20 mph in 17.8 seconds.

Observations

One thing we like about all Galeons is that the standard-equipment list is long and the optional features list is short. Galeon boats are configured with comfort and luxury packages that include all of the “easy boating” options, so while they are packages, they are ordered on every boat and prices vary accordingly.