The Galeon 440 Fly was unveiled at the 2023 trade fair in Düsseldorf. The shipyard from Straszyn (near Gdansk) has designed a boat that not only has a lot to offer below deck, but also on deck. On the foredeck there is a huge relaxation unit with a comfortable sun lounger (cushions are on the options list), and at the front there is a bench with a folding backrest. Access to the foredeck is via the side decks with high railings. There is a comfortable seating area with table in the cockpit, but the special feature here are the side walls. They can be lowered at the touch of a button to create a large cockpit area with a kind of balcony. Push-in posts with ropes ensure the necessary safety of movement. Passages on both sides of the cockpit seating area lead to the huge bathing platform; the hydraulics installed on our test boat - for lowering and raising the platform - are on the accessories list.
A ladder, rear shower and wet bar provide additional comfort. The cabinet for the latter comes as standard, the equipment (grill, hot and cold water, work surface, storage compartment and waste system) is on the accessories list. Another optional wetbar is available for the flybridge. The fly can be reached safely via a staircase from the cockpit. Up here, there are also plenty of areas for sunbathing and relaxing, and of course a driving position, which is the first choice in good weather. In less favourable weather conditions, you can use the double bench from the second driving position in the saloon.
Layout on board the Galeon 440 Fly
To connect the saloon with the cockpit, the large rear glass door can be pushed to the side and the rear saloon bench seat can be turned into the cockpit. A berth measuring approximately 1.10 x 2.20 metres can be created from the saloon seating area. The galley is located further forward on the port side. Here you will find a two-plate induction hob, microwave, refrigerator, waste bin, sink with large and small basin, work surface and suitable storage options. The companionway to the cabins and heads compartments is located between the galley and the driving position. The Galeon 440 Fly is available in two-cabin and three-cabin versions. We drove the three-cabin version, with a double berth in the bow and a bunk bed as well as a huge wardrobe in the centre cabin. Those lying on the upper berth have a great view of the water through the window. The underfloor cabin extends across the entire width of the boat and has a double bed, make-up unit, good storage facilities, TV and access to the en-suite bathroom with marine toilet, washbasin and shower. The shower door is hinged in the centre and can therefore be closed and opened in the smallest of spaces. The same applies to the second wet room, but here the shower and toilet are located in one room.
The driving experience
For driving: You have a good overview from the fly driving position. The two Volvo Penta IPS 600 drives installed on our test boat (also with Lake Constance approval on request) are operated from up here and from the saloon driving position via the electronic gearstick or the joystick system. Both are easy to operate, as is the smooth steering. The joystick makes harbour manoeuvres precise and safe. On straight stretches, we then use the gearstick and the rudder. At a displacement speed of around 6 knots, the range is around 1000 nm plus 15% reserve. We push the two levers forward and reach planing speed at around 3000 rpm, our test boat makes good speed at around 3250 rpm with around 21 knots, then the tank load of 1700 litres (2 x 850 l tanks) minus 15% reserve is sufficient for around 250 nautical miles. To ensure that the test boat is always in a good trim position, there is a zipwake system on the boat that automatically controls the trim position. With the automatic system switched on, we reached 27.4 knots at full throttle. The Galeon can safely perform fast manoeuvres at this speed.
The installations in the engine compartment are expertly executed, and the safety equipment with electric and manual bilge pumps and a fire extinguishing system in the engine compartment also receives praise.
Conclusion
The Galeon 440 Fly is a cruising boat that offers plenty of comfort below and on deck. It is easy to drive with the two IPS drives and automatic trim. The installations in the engine compartment make a good impression and the safety equipment is complete.
Technical data
- Shipyard: Galeon Yachts/Poland
- Type: 440 Fly
- CE category: B/14 persons
- Hull and deck: Plastic
- Length over everything: 13,97 m
- Width: 4,20 m
- Depth: 0,83 m
- Clearance height: about 4.38 m
- Displacement: approx. 15.7 tonnes
- Fuel tank: 2 x 850 litres
- Water tank: 255 + 170 l
- Holding tank: 120 l
- Berths: 6 + 1
- Bunk dimension: Front cabin 2.00 x 1.63 m, centre cabin 1.98 x 0.78 and 1.98 x 0.70 m, underfloor cabin 1.97 x 1.50 m
- Standing height/seating height: Forward cabin 1.97 m, centre cabin 1.96 m, underfloor cabin 2.08 - 1.58 m, saloon 2.00 m, wet room (underfloor cabin) 2.00 m, wet room (forward) 1.94 m, under flybridge roof 2.00 m
- Cockpit size: 2.16 x 3.92 m
- Sun lounger: Foredeck 2.36 m x 2.05 m; cockpit 1.08 m x 2.15 m; flybridge: 1.40 m x 3.30 m
- Freeboard: 0.97 m (with hedge entrance)
- Interior cockpit side height: 0,87 m
- Turning circles (boat lengths): turns on the spot with the joystick system
- Change course: directly with the joystick system
- Max. motorisation: Twin system (diesel) with 441 kW (600 hp) each
- Test motorisation: 2 x Volvo Penta D6-IPS600 342 kW (400 hp)
- Price: from € 743,700 (incl. 19% VAT)
- Distribution test boat: HL Schiffstechnik, Im Wassersportzentrum 5, 88079 Kressbronn, www.hl-schiffstechnik.de
The motor
- Manufacturer: Volvo Penta
- Type: D6-IPS600
- Performance: 324 kW (440 hp)
- Full load speed: 3600/min
- Cylinder: 6 in series
- cubic capacity: 5500 cc
- Fuel: Diesel
- Cooling: Water/double circuit
- Gear ratio: 1,853 : 1
- Test propeller: k. A.
