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Galeon 500 FLY (2024-)

2 x 725-hp Volvo Penta D11

Brief Summary

With a redesigned and enhanced makeover, the Galeon 500 Fly remains, from top to bottom, and stem to stern, a yacht whose prime directive is to maximize enjoyment when out on the water. To that end, this distinguished builder has made sure the do over improvements would do just that. And once you step aboard, it becomes quite clear they succeeded.

Specifications

Length Overall	53' 2" 16.2 m
Beam	14' 5" 4.42 m
Dry Weight	49,053 lbs 22,250 kg
Draft	4' 6" 1.4 m
Fuel Capacity	475 gal 1,800 L
Water Capacity	171 gal 650 L

Engine Options

Tested Engine	2 x 725-hp Volvo Penta D11
Std. Power	2 x 670-hp Volvo Penta D11

Galeon 500 FLY - Dedicated to Enjoyment

Captain's Report by Capt. Ken Kreisler

Galeon 500 FLY running — A striking and dynamic profile is just a prelude as to what awaits inside the new Galeon 500 Fly.

Major Features

Remote-controlled spotlight
Two underwater LED lights
Three-stateroom, two-head layout
Two 316 stainless fuel tanks
Teak cockpit sole
Bridge and main deck helm stations
2 x 725-hp Volvo Penta D11 diesel engines w/V-drive transmissions
69,000 BTU Condaria air conditioning system
Fiberglass arch w/folding stainless radar mast
Flybridge wet bar w/sink, refrigerator, and storage

Notable Options

Comfort package includes electric bow thruster, cablemaster, Raymarine chartplotter, Quantum digital radar, Raymarine VHF and antenna, and Raymarine Evolution autopilot.
Luxury package includes foldable balconies w/aft sliding side windows, and convertible bar area in side cockpit, hydraulic 1,323 lb.-capacity swim platform w/H&B Technics adjustable cradle, flybridge electric grill and icemaker, electric stern thruster, and washer/dryer in owner’s cabin corridor.
Individual package includes hydraulic tender garage w/rotating aft seat and storage, Seakeeper 6 gyro, and upgraded 4-foot Cyclone open array radar.
Laminated flybridge hardtop w/electric sunroof
4-burner Kenyon cooktop in galley

Galeon 500 FLY layouts — A quick review of just how Galeon utilized all available space on all three decks reveals a successful layout given the 500 Fly's overall dimensions.

Boat Inspection

Aft Deck

Since its inception in 1982, privately held Galeon has dedicated itself to always trying to improve on its successes. Constantly upgrading with advances in technology and superior construction techniques over the decades, including innovative additions, it now has two state-of-the-art building facilities and a team of designers and engineers dedicated to making sure the end product is the best it can be.

To make this point clear, just take one look at the features found on the aft section of the 500 Fly.

Galeon 500 FLY transom seat — The stylish transom seat sets the tone for entertaining back here. With its ability to swivel and face outwards, it presents a unique viewing opportunity whether at anchor, watching water sports activities, or catching a spectacular sunset.

Galeon 500 FLY swim platform — Easily adjusting to the aft position, the seat is perfect for the change of scenery. Note the deployed swim platform as well as the balconies to either side. The balcony decks have a glass cutout complete with an aggressive non-skid surface.

Galeon 500 FLY electric grill — Another outstanding feature found here is Galeon's adding an electric grill when the seat is in the forward position, turning the swim platform into an exciting place for a quick meal.

Galeon 500 FLY garage — When the grill is not in use, and the seat facing forward, the garage can hold a tender, water sports equipment, or be used as a storage compartment. Note the heavy duty rams, making for effortless opening and closing.

Galeon 500 FLY optional Seakeeper 6 gyro — By giving up most of the room in the bottom portion of the storage garage aft, makes space for the optional Seakeeper 6 gyro.

Galeon 500 FLY benchseat — With the starboard aft side window down, and the balcony deployed, the interior benchseat offers yet another 'room with a view'. The seat also flips down to become a large sunpad.

Galeon 500 FLY bar — The port side balcony offers this unique bar set up. Given its location at the galley, it makes drink and food service easy. Again, the aft window is down allowing the hinged countertop to lock in and extend outward. When the balconies are not deployed, there is complete walk-around from aft to bow.

Flybridge

On any yacht, the flybridge is always an exciting place to be. And given her hull length of 47’5”, and amidships beam of 14’5”, Galeon has laid out the area in order to make it spacious enough to deliver the functionality without the feeling of being restricted.

Galeon 500 FLY stairway — The main deck, on the aft port side, allows for this sturdy stairway up. The solid teak steps and those robust rails means safe up and down while transiting.

Galeon 500 FLY flybridge — The flybridge is designed to fit in with the boat's profile; sleek and in proportion to the overall exterior. The overhead can be either painted black or be fitted with an electrically-operated sunroof.

Galeon 500 FLY topside hinged table — Topsides, there is a hinged table and plenty of seating. Note the large hatch cover and opening, as well as the railing to make access to and from, safe and easy.

Galeon 500 FLY flybridge port helm — Looking forward, there is even more seating as well as optional icemaker, replacing the standard refrigerator, and electric grill. A drawer refrigerator is standard. The port helm is simply laid out with a single Raymarine touchscreen, controls to port, and all other controls including bow and stern thruster and autopilot, and informational data readily available. For the driver, there is a double wide bench seat.

Galeon 500 FLY flybridge helm — This close up shows how spacious the helm area is with plenty of leg room to spare.

Galeon 500 FLY sunpad — The large sunpad up here can accommodate multiple guests.

Bow

When calm conditions prevail, what better place to take in the passing scenery than having a seat up on the bow. Galeon has equipped the 500 Fly with a great spot from which to enjoy the ride.

Galeon 500 FLY bow seating — The bow seating includes a pair of sunpads and bench, with a removable pedestal table in the center. The backrests for the bench fold down into locking hatches. Note the heavy duty stainless rails.

Galeon 500 FLY anchor locker — Fully forward on the bow is the anchor locker with electric windlass and stainless rode. A receptacle for a wash down hose and a safety line cleat are also located here as is a handy pouch for the winch handle, just in case.

Main Deck Salon

Given the exciting additions to both sides aft, the bar to port and the ‘porch’ set up to starboard, Geleon also engineered a sophisticated and stylish entrance to the salon which fits in nicely to the overall refined impact of the balance between the exterior and the interior of the 500 Fly.

Galeon 500 FLY tri-sliding glass door — A tri-sliding glass door allows the salon and the aft deck to become one space, making it suitable for that special dock side gathering where an abundance of guests will be in attendance. Note the convertible bench seat to starboard able to do double duty when the ‘porch’ is in use.

Galeon 500 FLY tri-sliding glass door open — With the door in the open position, access to the aft deck affords an extra gathering space for guests.

Galeon 500 FLY galley — The fully-found galley to port offers excellent counter space for a boat this size along with four burner induction stove top, double stainless sink, refrigerator, and lots of storage above and below.

Galeon 500 FLY salon dinette — Surrounded by large windows for maximizing ambient light, the salon’s dinette is just forward of the galley.

Galeon 500 FLY dinette lowered for sleeping area — Should an additional berth be required, the dinette table lowers and the space becomes a large sleeping area.

Galeon 500 FLY seating forward and to starboard — Additional seating is found forward and to starboard with a pair of individual seats with storage below. These are also movable and can serve as extras for the dinette table opposite. An additional bench is provided by the swiveling helm seat. An extra feature is its ability to raise and lower while driving.

Galeon 500 FLY lower helm centerpiece — The centerpiece of the lower helm are a pair of large Raymarine touchscreens housed in an impressive console. With the wheel slightly offset to starboard, this allows a guest to join the driver while the 500 Fly is underway. All controls including bow and stern thrusters, throttle, trim tabs, autopilot, as well as tactile buttons and other equipment is within easy reach and readily visible. In addition both starboard and port side electric windows are also controlled on the touchscreen.

Living Accommodations

The 500 Fly offers a three stateroom, two head layout. And given her hull length of 47’5” and her amidships beam of 14’5”, Galeon has made sure of using all the available space, as found everywhere aboard, to guarantee comfort while spending extended time away. All quarters are accessed via a corridor and staircase located forward, in the salon, and on the centerline. Each of the staterooms feature fine fit and finish, proper headroom, and more than adequate storage space. And as found in all three cabins, there is accent lighting and separate air conditioning controls located on the bulkheads.

Galeon 500 FLY forepeak VIP — Surrounded by large windows to either side, and an overhead skylight/escape hatch, the forepeak VIP quarters are light and airy.

Galeon 500 FLY forepeak VIP storage — All the cabinets have storage spaces, and a hanging closet has been provided in the aft section of the quarters as well as this large pull out drawer beneath the berth.

Galeon 500 FLY forepeak VIP blinds — In addition to the skylight/escape hatch forward, the overhead here has these adjustable blinds to allow for even more light to enter the space.

Galeon 500 FLY starboard cabin — The starboard cabin offers a pair of over-under bunks with a large window and lots of storage space.

Galeon 500 FLY day head — Opposite the starboard cabin is the day head offering a separate shower as well.

Galeon 500 FLY owners quarters — Aft and two steps down from the corridor is the full beam owner's quarters. With a sculptured overhead, fine fit and finish to the woodwork, abundant storage space, and extra-large windows to either side, this stateroom makes both an elegant design and comfort statement.

Galeon 500 FLY owners console — This close up of the starboard console reveals the deep storage cabinets located here.

Galeon 500 FLY washer/dryer combo — A washer/dryer combo is located under the large screen television and is housed in a console featuring even more storage space. Just to the right is a sizable closet.

Galeon 500 FLY vanity — Over to port is this vanity with several storage cabinets and is located right under the large window here.

Galeon 500 FLY ensuite head — The ensuite head is quite spacious and features a separate shower and high end fixtures and hardware.

Engine Room

Having the kind of open access to the engine room, for the hands-on owner or mechanic, means possessing a forward thinking vision of this all important space.

To that end, Galeon has equipped the 500 Fly with a quite workable area in which to perform all critical checks and inspections before and after a day, weekend, or extended time aboard.

Galeon 500 FLY hatch to engine room — Revisiting the cockpit area, access to the engine room is via this hatch in the teak sole. Sturdy hardware and gas-assisted rams allow for easy opening and closing of the hatch.

Galeon 500 FLY twin Volvo Penta D-11, 725-hp diesels — Once down here, via a stainless ladder, and while a bit cramped, there is still plenty of room between and outboard of the twin Volvo Penta D-11, 725-hp diesels to perform any required maintenance.

Galeon 500 FLY Cummins generator — Regardless of the limitations here, Geleon has still found the room for the Cummins generator with plenty of space for regularly scheduled maintenance to be performed.

Galeon 500 FLY fuel tanks — The twin 237-gallon, 316 stainless fuel tanks are located forward of the engines and installed amidships with the Fireboy automatic suppression system between them. Note the easy access to the sea strainers.

Summary

Changing for the better with the times seems to be the mantra at Galeon and with the newly redesigned 500 Fly, the point is well-taken. This properly thought out cruising yacht possesses many of those attributes often found on larger vessels making her prime directive of supplying comfortable amenities while aboard that much more impressive.

Given her three stateroom, two head layout, her dynamic exterior profile, and all the other requisite equipment, furnishings, and long list of both standard and optional gear, should a mid-size cruiser be up on your radar screen, it’s most likely you need to have a close look, and book a sea trial aboard the Galeon 500 Fly. It will be well-worth your time to do so.

Galeon 500 FLY running

Remember, life is better on a boat!

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Galeon 500 FLY (2024-)

Brief Summary

Specifications