Galeon 560 Skydeck: Coming to America

A European builder teams up with MarineMax, to bring the Galeon 560 Skydeck to the U.S. of A.

By Zuzana Prochazka

April 29, 2016

If you’ve watched our Galeon 560 Skydeck First Look Video, and it peaked your interest, you probably want to know more. And if you’ve never heard of the Galeon before, well, don’t feel bad—this brand is new to America, and MarineMax just began importing it this year. Galeon Yachts, based in Gdansk, Poland, figured out how to combine a flybrige with an enormous saloon sunroof in a single platform, and their latest introduction is a 560 Skydeck that premiered in Miami this year.

Can you combine a flybridge boat with an open-air express? Galeon says yes, with the 560 Skydeck.

Imagine a flybridge that sits far aft, leaving room for a sunroof that brings light and air to the saloon below. Now imagine that the flybridge closes with an electrically-actuated composite top, to protect it when not in use. The helm seat folds down, the wheel lowers, and two halves of a hatch slide closed to meet in the middle. I was gobsmacked by its simplicity and usefulness.

Based on the Galeon 550 Fly, the 560 Skydeck has many similar features starting with the inside helm station to starboard. Situated behind a wide windshield that’s divided by a thick mullion, the helm has a well-angled dash with a single multifunction display and assorted gauges. Throttles and a joystick are outboard. The helm and the portside U-shaped settee are perfectly positioned to enjoy the light and air from the sunroof above.

Aft is the galley, but the chef will never feel buried or alone due to the large glass doors that accordion open and the panoramic side windows, both of which provide lots of light and excellent views. A narrow, glass-topped island breaks up the beam back here so the cook has something to lean on while preparing meals under way. It also provides a nice aesthetic to the kitchen, reminiscent of home-style countertops. Stowage options are generous with overhead cabinets as well as low lockers that will hold everything from dishes to provisions.

On the lower deck, two cabins and the master suite all have standing headroom. The owner’s stateroom is aft and has plenty of stowage along with windows to port and starboard. The center-island bed has a cushioned headboard to minimize sound and vibration from the engine room aft. A large forward-facing desk is to port, just aft of a head with a stall shower.

Along with plenty of headroom, the Galeon’s master stateroom offers plenty of elbow room thanks to its full-beam design.

VIP quarters are in the bow, with an island berth, good stowage, and a separate entrance to a head that’s shared with the third cabin. Optional crew quarters, with two berths and a head, are accessible via the transom.

Besides the rooftop, the most striking thing about the Galeon 560 Skydeck is the finish. Although owners can personalize details such as wood and fabric choices, Galeon definitely leaves its unique fingerprint. Materials are intermingled so that texture, color, finish, and shape meet in unexpected combinations, drawing the eye to various details in the interior. For example, the finish on the galley island cabinet of the U.S. debut-boat featured raised squares of high-gloss wood that seemed to invite visitors to run their hand over the surface.

The cabin sole is wood, finished much like flooring in a home instead of being the usual teak and holly, parquet, or carpeting found on most yachts. Galeon has foregone the single-level trend, so there are four short steps from the galley up to the saloon.

The main cabin of the Galeon 560 Skydeck shows excellent detailing. Note the unusual flooring, trim, and table woodwork.

On deck, the 560 Skydeck is all about easy movement of guests. The L-shaped transom seat in the cockpit accommodates six with a fold-out table. Steps on both sides lead down to the hydraulic swim platform, and a stairway to port leads from the cockpit to the skydeck above. The sidedecks are wide, so it’s easy to move to the bow whether you need to quickly toss a dockline or amble up to the sunpad.

Ample power is provided by twin Volvo-Penta diesels with straight shafts or IPS pod drives.

The standard horsepower is 670, but that’s upgradable to 800 HP. Two fuel tanks carry a total of 582 gallons so extended coastal cruising is possible. Though they may be new to you and I, Galeon Yachts was established in 1982 and has nearly 30 models in their lineup. MarineMax is the exclusive North American distributors of Galeon, with representation on both coasts of the U.S., so it won’t be hard to learn more about the skydeck and all its unique features.

Other Choices: The Sunseeker 53 Manhattan is another boat that maintains the sleek looks of an express but adds a flybridge on top. For a smaller option look at the Beneteau Gran Tourismo Fly 49.

For more information, visit Galeon Yachts or MarineMax.

See Galeon listings.

Specifications
Length	58'1"
Beam	15'7"
Draft	3'3"
Deadrise	N/A
Displacement	53,462 lbs
Fuel capacity	582 gal.
Water capacity	175 gal.

Written by: Zuzana Prochazka

Zuzana Prochazka is a writer and photographer who freelances for a dozen boating magazines and websites. A USCG 100 Ton Master, Zuzana has cruised, chartered and skippered flotillas in many parts of the world and serves as a presenter on charter destinations and topics. She is the Chair of the New Product Awards committee, judging innovative boats and gear at NMMA and NMEA shows, and currently serves as immediate past president of Boating Writers International. She contributes to Boats.com and YachtWorld.com, and also blogs regularly on her boat review site, TalkoftheDock.com.