GALEON YACHTS JUST KEEPS INNOVATING AFTER BRINGING ‘BEACH MODE’ WINGS TO 12-24M SECTOR
Renowned Polish boatbuilder Galeon Yachts recently launched the 2,800th yacht from its waterside building halls in Gdansk. After nearly 45 years, the business is still family owned and run. And it is still building exceptional motoryachts for a demanding clientele that stretches all the way around the globe.
Founded in 1982, Galeon began as a specialist in fiberglass components for Scandinavian boatbuilders before moving into the production of complete boats in the early 1990s. By the mid-1990s, the company launched its own Galia line and developed larger inboard yachts, leading to the creation of the first Galeon models, including the iconic Galeon 380 Fly. This model is still in hot demand and today in its fifth generation. Nowdays, Galeon Yachts blends decades of craftsmanship with modern technology, offering a range of 26 models from 33 to 80 feet that define innovation in luxury motor yachting.
It is a spectrum that runs from the entry-level 335 GTO, powered by twin 450hp outboards, up to the awe-inspiring 800 Fly, which showcases everything that has made this brand such a success, with its slick lines and tremendous performance. Though the flybridge models are the best known, there are also Hard Top, Sport Cruiser, Skydeck and Explorer lines with outboard and inboard power options to cover the whole patchwork of boating desires.
Cutting-edge Tony Castro design mindful design lies at the heart of every boat in every line, founded on the yachting passion that built the brand. Superstar designer Tony Castro has drawn all the yachts in the current line-up, introducing innovative ideas from the superyacht sector which have been widely imitated by competitors.
Features such as ‘beach mode’ were revolutionary when Galeon introduced it back in 2015. The brand was a leader in introducing these drop-down wings or balconies to the aft section of the boat, enlarging the cockpit entertaining area and creating a stronger connection with the sea. “Since we first introduced the drop-down wings in the 12-24m category of yacht, we have refined and improved the design,” said Marta Sledziewska, marketing and communications director at Galeon Yachts. “Now the wings are bigger, there are windows through which you can see the sea below, and the engineering behind the lowering system is both smoother and faster.”
Convertible layout another Galeon signature is the flexible layout. In the bigger boats above the 500 Fly, this includes an innovative new rotating sofa on the aft deck which swivels on a circular platform to face either inward towards the cockpit table or out towards the anchorage and the bathing platform.
On the 520 Fly, the extra size of the boat has enabled Galeon to give the side wings a very cool double function. With the balconies folded down and the full height windows in the saloon slid open, the dinette table can be extended out on the port side to create an outdoor bar. On the starboard side, meanwhile, the headrest of the sofa folds down to extend the lounging area out onto the wing for ingenious indoor-outdoor relaxation.
When the boat is at anchor or in port, the indoor navigator’s seat can be flipped round to join up with the saloon sofa. And the foredeck lounge is just as flexible with its high-low table: up for sundowners or coffee with a view and down to convert the whole lounge into a giant sunpad.
“Flexible design is at the heart of what Galeon yachts bring: the promise of the best quality of life according to the mood and priorities of the guests on board,” added Sledziewska. “Combined with the freedom to choose from our carefully curated styling options and colours, this ability to convert areas of the boat from one use to another is why we describe our yachts as semi-custom.”
Impressive shipyard facilities from composite work to stainless steel fabrication and joinery, every Galeon yacht is entirely moulded and fitted out at Galeon’s two Gdansk shipyards in Wislinka and Straszyn. Together, these two facilities offer 50,000 square metres of build space on some 275,000 square metres of land. The yard is also proud to have its own 30-place marina.
The 560 Fly is one of the yard’s newest models, shown for the first time at boot Düsseldorf 2025 and starring again this year with an elegant new interior style from Insitu & Partners of Hong Kong. This is premium design at its best, developed in close collaboration with Galeon internal interior design team. The finishing touches are also being put to the first 520 Fly, which will be available for preview at the Miami International Boat Show held from 5-11 February. It will make its official world debut at the Palm Beach International Boat Show from 25-29 March.
