Galeon 480 FLY (2025-)

The 47’ 1” (14.35 m) LOA 480 Fly is designed to be a multi-purpose yacht serving cruising and entertaining intentions. She is an excellent boat for a couple who likes to bring along guests or perhaps extended family. She is an excellent step up to the yacht category from someone coming out of a smaller cruiser or perhaps even a center console. She has a fuel capacity of 396 gallons (1,500 L) giving her a 137 nm range at a cruise speed of 18 knots and a 371 nm range at a displacement speed of 8 knots.  

Test Conditions

Test day brought light conditions with winds from the southwest at 8-10 knots and seas less than 1’. The test area was in the Gulf of America, just west of Naples, FL.

Test Results

Once offshore, our first tests were a series of runs focused on getting the speed, fuel burn and noise level (measured in decibels, or dBA) at specific RPM.  

Acceleration Times & Conditions*

The next tests were the acceleration runs. Here, 3 tests were conducted and then averaged to get the time from 0 knots to select speeds.  

Range and Optimal Cruise

The Galeon 480 Fly has an effective range between 137 nm and 371 nm with a 10% fuel reserve. At a cruise speed of 18 knots, she has a range of 137 nm and at 1,250 RPM or 8 knot displacement speed she has a range of 371 nm.

Handling

The Galeon 480 Fly handed well helped by her straight shaft coming off V-Drives from the D8-600 motors. She handled well at both low and high speeds. Quite a bit of helm input was required at slow speeds, so I found myself using the autopilot some even when operating at idle speeds. Given the light conditions, I was unable to evaluate the performance in a sea way, but she did seem to handle the waves well when I doubled back through my ~2-3’ wake.

Docking

I personally am a fan of straight shafts, especially when augmented with bow thrusters as this boat was configured.  Our slip was quite challenging given a 68’ cruiser off our bow. We only had about 2’ of room off the bow when our stern was clear to turn. Her slow idle speed allowed me complete control when bumping the throttles in and out of gear. Despite the tight quarters, it was a low stress situation where I felt completely in control.  I docked and undocked from the flybridge, which afforded great visibility to both port and starboard and especially forward.  I needed a hand to call the stern as the platform wasn’t visible from the flybridge.

Highlights

• Solid construction designed for coastal cruising
• Three levels of space
• Well thought-out and functional design features

Exterior

The Galeon 480 Fly is a sleek looking yacht with contemporary lines. To my eye, she looks like she is ready to go even when sitting at anchor. She has contrasting white fiberglass with dark windows and accents. Her exterior proportions look natural and in line with other models in Galeon’s flybridge line of yachts.

The walkway is 16” wide at hip level with a sturdy stainless-steel rail that is between 30” and 34” high along the walkway where the handrail isn’t present.

Layout

The 480 Fly has three levels of space. 

Flybridge

There are three distinct seating areas on the flybridge.

Access to the flybridge is via a seven-step ladder to port. The flybridge has 2 distinct sitting areas plus the 2-person helm seat. There is also counterspace that covers a sink and an optional flybridge grill. Under the cabinet is a refrigerator, freezer and storage space.

1) Aft L-Shaped Seating

Around the aft section of the flybridge is large L-shaped sitting around a table that accommodates 8-10 people. 

2) Port U-Shaped Seating

Forward to port is a U-shaped seating area that can accommodate 4-5 people.

3) Flybridge Helm

To starboard is the flybridge helm. Our test yacht had a single 12” Raymarine MFD but there is easily space for two. Visibility from the flybridge helm is excellent. All required controls are within easy reach.

Bow

Beginning with the deck forward, there is a 55-pound (24.95 kg) Ultra stainless-steel anchor. The rode is galvanized. Access to the anchor locker is to starboard. The windlass is recessed in the port bow locker. There is a cleat inside the port locker so that a snubber line doesn’t need to be run back to a bow cleat.

There is a search light mounted on the bow to port. 

The forward seating area is spacious with room for 9-10 people. The backs fold down under the seats when running.

Cockpit

The aft covered cockpit of the 480 Fly measures 84 SqFt (25.5 SqM) and encompasses wrap-around bench seating aft around a folding table. 

There are boarding doors in the balconies to both port and starboard.

Swim Platform

The swim platform measures 13’ 8” (4.2 M) wide at its widest point and extends 3’ 7” (1.1 M) abaft the stern. The swim platform lowers creating four steps into the water. This is perfect for allowing guest access to the water or for deploying the tender. 

Access to the cockpit is via four steps to port.

Stern

At the stern are two storage compartments that measure just over 6’ deep. In addition to the storage of stanchions and stools for the balconies, there is enough space for water toy, fender and line stowage.

On the stern above the swim platform is a retractable grill station with sink.

Exterior / Interior Transition

A unique aspect of the Galeon 480 Fly is the transition from exterior to interior. When at anchor, several elements of the yacht transform to create a shared exterior / interior space from midship aft.

There are six steps in the conversion:

1. Open the accordion doors connecting the cockpit to the main deck
2. Drop the balconies
3. Open the sliding windows to both port and starboard
4. Fold up leaves outside of the port and starboard 
5. Install bar stools or protective stanchions / lifelines
6. Enjoy the space!

The conversion can happen in minutes. The flow and airiness of the reconfigured yacht is amazing for a platform of this size. It truly is like your own floating island.

Interior

Main Cabin

Entrance to the main cabin is through a large accordion door that opens into the galley. 

Main Deck

The main deck has four distinct spaces. These include: 1) the galley, 2) a 2-person bench seat, 3) a U-shaped seating area around a telescoping table, and 4) the helm station. There is a minimum of 6’ 6” (2.0 M) of headroom throughout. The main deck sole is the same level as the cockpit making walking from one to the other easy.

1) Galley

The aft section of the main deck contains a two-part galley with 6’ 6” (2.0 M) of headroom throughout. Our test yacht had grey beach wood cabinetry throughout. 

To port is an L-shaped galley area. The countertops are Corian. There is a 2-burner convection cooktop, 2-basin sink, refrigerator and microwave/oven.

2) Bench Seat

Forward of the galley to starboard is a 2-person bench seat.  Behind the seat is a 50” retractable TV.

3) U-Shaped Seating Area

To port is a U-shaped seating area for 5-6 people. The table is telescoping so this area can be converted into an additional berth.

4) Helm

The helm of the 480 Fly is located on the starboard side of the main deck. There is good visibility given the large, single-piece (therefore mullion-free) windshield and side windows. The starboard side window electrically retracts giving good communication and visibility to starboard. The helm is outfitted with twin Raymarine 15” multi-function displays.

Accommodations

The 480 Fly comes in a standard three-stateroom configuration. Forward is a VIP with an ensuite that doubles as a day head / head for the starboard guest. To starboard is a guest stateroom with over/under bunks. Aft is a full-beam master with ensuite. 

Accommodations Atrium

Down five steps from the main deck is the accommodations atrium that serves as the point of entrance to staterooms and the day head. 

1) Master Suite

The master suite is 111 SqFt (33.8 SqM) with 6’ 2” of headroom throughout. The berth measures 72” W x 74” L. There is a full-length vanity to starboard and a lounge to port with a vanity and mirror. Full-length windows that are just above the waterline provide expansive views. There are outlets and charger ports on nightstands to both port and starboard of the berth as well as reading lights on both sides.

2) Master Ensuite

The ensuite head is 24 SqFt (7.4 SqM) with 6’ 5” of headroom throughout. The shower in the ensuite has 6’ 6” of headroom.

3) Forward VIP

The 70 SqFt (21.3 SqM) forward VIP guest stateroom has 6’ 5” of headroom throughout.  

4) VIP Ensuite/Day Head

The VIP ensuite doubles as a head for the starboard guest as well as a day head. It measures 20 SqFt (6.2 SqM) with 6’5” of headroom.

5) Starboard Guest

The 36 SqFt (10.9 SqM) starboard guest has bunks that measure 74” in length.

Engine Room

Access to the engine room is through a 26” hatch in the cockpit. The engine room measures 148 SqFt (45.0 SqM) with 4’ 5” of headroom between the main engines. There is 18” of space above the main engines with 1’10” of space in between.

There is a Fisher-Panda 12.5 kW generator, a Seakeeper 6 gyro stabilizer and one AC chiller.

Galeon builds solid yachts designed to be excellent coastal cruisers, packing a lot of features and usable space into their platforms. The 480 Fly is no exception.

The Galeon 480 Fly is full of features and functions, especially for a 48’ platform. She is well equipped, and Galeon has considered just about everything one could want for an owner/operator cruiser. She is a very capable yacht performance wise with sufficient speed and near-shore cruising range. 

The multitude of living and entertaining spaces across her three decks make her an excellent family or family plus friends cruiser. She is a great candidate for a step-up from a smaller cruiser or center console.

Any owner / operator who is looking for a yacht that performs well and has a multitude of features should have a look at the Galeon 480 Fly. One would be hard pressed to find another 48’ yacht on the market with everything available on the 480 Fly.

Remember, life is better on a boat!

Captain Gregg
[email protected]