40 SEAMAGAZINE.COM MAY 2017SEATRIAL
BY ZUZANA PROCHAZKA
GALEON 420 FLY
THE POLISH BUILDER PREMIERES A SOLID BOAT
WITH A FEW NEAT TRICKS UP ITS SLEEVE.I
NEVER KNOW WHAT I’ll find at the end of the dock on test day, but I like boats with
happy surprises. Boats that reveal the unexpected — convertible seating options, good
use of space and details that hint at custom craftsmanship — make my day. The Galeon
420 Fly, with unique details and a comprehensive list of included equipment, is such a
boat and did, indeed, bring a bit of joy to my day.ON DECK
I stepped aboard via the (optional)
teak-topped hydraulic swim platform and
got my first surprise. The transom seat is
mobile. It can slide aft about a foot over
the swim platform, to open up the cockpit
for easier entertaining, or forward, to get
under the protection of the flybridge hard-
top. When it’s forward, there’s adequate
room on the platform to carry a dinghy or
a PWC.
The door between the cockpit and salon
is interesting. The aluminum-and-glass
barrier has three panels. The portside
section hinges open like a normal door,
and the other two panels slide to port and
accordion out. With all three panels open,
the aft end of the boat has only a threshold
between the outdoors and the indoors.
Additionally, the aft-most section of the
salon settee, which is normally up against
the door, has a backrest that flips. Guests
can sit facing forward, but flip the backrest
forward and folks sit facing aft, effectively
making the bench a part of the cockpit
seating. But there’s more. Lift the bench
and swivel it outboard and it forms a long
seat that joins with the transom settee.
This fun little feature is clever, makes the
boat versatile and absolutely will impress
dock neighbors.FLYBRIDGE FEATURES
In the port corner of the cockpit is a
curved, molded staircase to the flybridge.
The steps are a bit tight, and coming down
requires a free hand to negotiate them
safely. Up top is a composite arch with a
stainless steel radar mast that folds down.
An L-shaped settee wraps around a small
table and the chef will have everything at
hand thanks to an optional galley module
that includes a wet bar, a refrigerator and
an electric grill.
The starboard-situated helm has a
double seat, and a double companion
bench is adjacent. A small pad is forward,
just behind the wind deflector, and a few
pillows will make it either an oversized seat
for adults or a sunpad for kids.
Visibility and communication with
anyone on the foredeck is good, though I
noticed the railing on the bow pulpit was
quite low and the pulpit leans forward at
a dramatic angle. That’s good and bad.
The angle elongates the boat’s profile, but
leaning out at this awkward angle to reach
down and catch a mooring wand won’t be
easy. I tried it and it wasn’t comfortable.MAIN DECK LEVEL
Back in the cockpit — past the nifty
entry door and unexpected convertibleseating — the salon is on the same level.
One interior finishing option, which our
test boat had, is matte black walnut wood
with tan and mocha upholstery, which is
used to nice effect. To port is a small double
settee that faces the U-shaped lounge
across from it. The AC/DC system panel
fills the port aft corner. It’s a compact salon
but performs its function well.
Stacked side windows and plenty of LED
lighting give the interior a glow. Beautiful
wood accents and intricate inlays such as
the one on the coffee table are a nice touch.
Unexpected details like these add elegance
and a hint of old-world craftsmanship
seldom seen on production boats.
The galley and helm station are one step
up from the salon. Just as on the flybridge,
the lower helm is to starboard, so there will
be no switching sides to improve visibility
when coming port-to at the dock. The
inside helm is set up in three levels with
rocker switches low and to the left of the
wheel, the autopilot and the 7-inch Volvo
vessel control display in the middle, and a
12-inch Raymarine MFD up top just below
eye level. If laid out more efficiently, the top
part of the dash could accommodate twin
displays — not strictly necessary but two
screens of information are handier. The
engine controls are outboard to the right,
as is the trim tab panel that’s just below
the driver’s window, which opens with the
assistance of an electric Mercedes Benz
motor. Cupholders and USB ports to charge
personal electronics are standard here.
The helm seat is an ample double bench
with flip-up bolsters on both sides, so the
driver can stand while the companion sits.
The view forward is through an enormous
and beautiful single-pane windshield of
tinted tempered glass.
The galley is only one step to port and- With its comprehensive standard equipment list and contemporary
styling, the 420 Fly is bundle of nice surprises just waiting at the dock.
TESTER’S
OPINION
Î Thanks to a clever door arrangement, the main
deck of the boat — including the helm and the
galley, which are up one step from the salon —
blends indoors and outdoors effortlessly. Below,
the master stateroom occupies the forepeak.