Galeon 500 Fly Review, Price and Specifications

The Galeon 500 Fly and its fold-out balconies

Every flybridge in the 50 to 55 foot class promises more space. The Galeon 500 Fly actually delivers it with a mechanism: the cockpit bulwarks on both sides fold down to form balconies over the water, widening the aft deck at anchor. YachtBuyer called it an accomplished all-rounder with an ace up its sleeve, and the transforming cockpit is that ace. It turns a 14-foot 8-inch beam boat into one that feels a lot wider when you are tied up or anchored.

The 500 Fly was announced in 2015, designed by Tony Castro Yacht Design and built by Galeon in Poland, with the first production boats following in 2016. It won European Powerboat of the Year in the above 45 feet class in 2016 and, years later, won the flybridge up to 60 feet category at the 2023 Motor Boat Awards, which says a lot about how well the design has held up.

Polish build quality and what you get for the money

Galeon is one of the largest yacht builders in Poland, a country that quietly builds a large share of Europe's production boats. The 500 Fly reflects that experience. The YachtBuyer review singled out excellent interior woodwork, and owners generally report solid finish quality for the price. The value case is stark: a new Galeon 500 Fly costs significantly less than a Princess F55 or Sunseeker Manhattan 55, while offering similar cabin count and comparable performance.

The trade-off is brand recognition and dealer support in the US, which is thinner than for Princess, Sunseeker or Azimut. That affects resale more than ownership. Volvo Penta engines and systems are supported everywhere, so day-to-day servicing is not a problem.

Aft galley, rotating dinette and a flybridge with a sunroof

Galeon placed the galley aft in the saloon, next to the cockpit doors, so the cook can serve both the saloon and the cockpit. In the cockpit, buyers choose between L-shaped seating with a crew cabin below, or a rotating dinette paired with a tender garage. The lower helm sits forward with good visibility and a helm bench that pivots to extend the saloon seating, although there is no side door.

Up top, the flybridge can be specified with a hardtop that includes an integrated canvas sunroof, a wet bar and seating for a crowd. The one consistent criticism from testers concerns the upper helm, which has very little adjustment, so tall or short drivers can find it hard to reach the controls comfortably. Try it before you buy, and consider a better helm seat if you will drive mostly from up top.

• Fold-down cockpit balconies on both sides
• Aft galley serving saloon and cockpit
• Hardtop with canvas sunroof option
• Rotating cockpit dinette with tender garage, or L-seating with crew cabin

Three cabins, plus the garage or crew cabin decision

Below, the full-beam master has an en suite and more than 6 feet 1 inch of headroom. The VIP forward has long strips of glazing and an oversized skylight, and it shares its head with the third cabin, which uses bunks. Testers noted that some rivals fit twin berths in the third cabin, so it suits children better than adult guests, although the bunks are big enough for adults on short stays.

Aft, buyers choose between a crew cabin and a tender garage. In the US, where most owners run the boat themselves, the garage is usually the better choice: it keeps the swim platform clear, protects the tender and improves resale. If you plan to employ a captain who sleeps aboard, the crew cabin wins.

Picking among four Volvo packages

Galeon offers four Volvo Penta drivetrains. The base D8-600 has no published top speed, so ask for a sea trial on one before assuming it suits a heavily loaded boat. Builder figures for the D11-670 shafts show 20.9 knots cruise, 31.2 knots flat out and about 485 miles at 8.3 knots. YachtBuyer's test boat, described in the review as having the 725 hp shaft engines, cruised at 22.3 knots at 2,000 rpm on 169 liters per hour (about 45 gph) and topped out at 32 knots.

The D11-725 shafts lift top speed to 32.7 knots. The IPS950 pods, also rated at 725 hp, deliver 35.4 knots and joystick docking, but the upgrade costs a six-figure sum new. With 476 gallons of fuel, YachtBuyer's data shows about 190 miles at a 22-knot cruise with a reserve, so plan stops on longer legs.

Our pick for most US buyers is the D11-670 or D11-725 on shafts, which keeps maintenance simple and resale broad. Choose IPS only if you dock in tight marinas without help.

Ownership costs for an owner-run 53-footer

This is a realistic owner-operator boat. In the US, expect roughly $75,000 to $140,000 a year excluding depreciation and heavy fuel use. Insurance on a $1 million to $1.6 million boat, a 55-foot slip, two Volvo services, generator maintenance, bottom paint and detailing make up most of the budget.

At about 45 gph at a 22-knot cruise, fuel costs are modest compared with larger rivals. Testers noted modest refrigeration capacity compared with competitors, so many owners add an extra drawer fridge or cockpit icemaker.

How the 500 Fly holds value

Galeon 500 Flys appear on the used market less often in the US than in Europe. YachtBuyer's data shows 27 boats listed in the past three years, with an average market time of about 220 days and an average price reduction of 2.2 percent, which is a respectable result. A 2016 boat was last asked at $929,000 before selling in 2021.

Because the boat starts cheaper, its absolute depreciation is lower than a Princess or Sunseeker of the same size. That makes it an attractive choice for buyers who plan to keep the boat for five to seven years, then trade up.