Boat Review: Galeon 700 Raptor

Presentation

Flagships have always been the pinnacle of all the yacht brands, by which the smaller models are usually judged. While the big boat of the brand is only afforded by a small niche of persons it is very often an inspiration to buyers who choose a smaller model of the same brand. New bigger flagships also represent an improvement in quality which is afterwards transmitted to the rest of the fleet. When Galeon presented its new flagship the 700 Raptor in the Genoa show of 2009, it was surely a demonstration that the Polish builder and designer Tony Castro where pushing more modern looks which from followers a decade before today it makes them to be in line with the Western competition. Developed on an extended 640 Fly hull, Tony Castro presented an aggressive looking seventy one feet length over all sport yacht featuring all the latest comfort solutions. In some parts the 700 Raptor also exceeds the competition like its very clever single handed tender launch system, and the choice of a galley up or down, three or four cabin layout.

Accommodation

Choice is important in any fifteen metre plus yacht and Galeon gives two important layout options for both the lower and main deck. Choices give real freedom to customers and here the liberty is between three or four cabins below, and a galley up or down solution.

The 700 Raptor welcomes you aft with a two way entrance to the cockpit. In the middle aft deck and just away from the extended hard top is a central located two person sunpad. Underneath it is a tender garage which can be operated single handed. In the aft deck are also two L-shaped settees, for relaxing to port side with a low position table and for dining to starboard. Moving around the 700 Raptor is easy and a single step leads from the aft to the side decks. The side decks are extremely safe with the protection of moulded side bulwarks complemented by safety railings. To foredeck you get a two single person sunpads to both sides with an adjustable head rest. On the bow tip is the central positioned anchor winch with visible chain, and two hatches which open up to a well sized locker.

From the central of the main deck, going up two steps and into an innovative fully opening patio doors you enter the internal saloon living area. Here you have a galley bar combination to port side with three stools looking to the cockpit on the aft part. Opposite to this is a C-shaped settee complimented with a TV entertainment center. To fore part of the saloon you get the well designed helm station which features two luxury race car style adjustable bucket seats. With the three cabin, galley down choice this area actually changes the position of a larger C-shaped sofa to port, and a bar area with stools opposite. The saloon roof is for the major a tinted glass solid surface combination, which opens up for half its size.

Going down the central stairway leads you to the lower accommodation deck having a three or a hard to find for a sport yacht four cabin layout. The master stateroom is to midship with a queen sized double berth looking to the ships starboard side, a large en-suite shower head to aft, and a relaxing chaise lounge with breakfast table to port. To fore is the VIP cabin having a central located queen berth and en-suite shower head to port. The third cabin located to starboard comes with two single berths. This also features its own en-suite head. A fourth guest cabin with two L-shaped bunk berths is located to port side. The fourth cabin can be replaced with a more private galley down in the three cabins version of the 700 Raptor. An optional crew cabin for two with shower head can be located aft.

Performance

For the Galeon 700 Raptor, designer Tony Castro based himself on the 640 Fly underwater shape extending and warping it to a sixteen degrees medium Vee deadrise aft. The Galeon technical department also added the Humphree Interceptor System for easy to use trim. Powered by the large twin 1550hp MAN the 700 Raptor reaches a 40 knots top speed, while 1360hp engine give 36 knots max, and 1224hp deliver 34 knots. This is a remarkable high speed considering that here we are speaking of a standard line shaft propulsion system with props located in semi tunnels aft. Range is for a 380 nautical miles with speed at 24 knots from the MANs 1360hp engines revving at 1600 rpm.

Positive

Single handed tender launch system

Aft deck layout

Three or four cabins choice

Forty knots performance

Negative

Small galley

Competition

You might be surprised that just as with the 640 Fly reviewed here a couple months back, Galeon manages again to find two things for the 700 Raptor to make it stand out. First of these is the four cabins option in a 21 metre sport yacht, and second is the saloon patio door which can open or close all. The models which offer the four cabins are the Baia also being the only other with a fully opening patio door, the versatile Rizzardi, and the long range Couach Yacht. If you are looking for three cabins the competition is wider with all builders excelling in a different department to the other. Criteria was for an integrated hard top sport yacht twenty one metres in size, three or four cabins, with patio door.

Azimut 68S - reinvented sport yachts in 2003, 3 cabins + crew

Baia 70 Italia - surface drives = 52 knots, clever patio door, 4th crew or guest cabin

Couach 2100 Open - super range, 3 or 4 cabins, patio door

Fashion 68 - fat beam, 41 knots max with surface drives, 3 cabins

Rizzardi 73 HT - classic modern, patio door option, 3 or 4 cabins + crew for 2

Queens 72 - 3 cabins plus crew aft, living on main deck

Sessa C68 - new 2009 model, big view windows all over, 3 cabins

WILD CARD: Pacific P210 - steel built, semi displacement hull but sporty looks

Conclusion

A decade ago a sport yacht of this size would have been chosen mostly for its exterior looks. Today in 2010 it has to be a full package offering sporty exteriors, practical solutions, high performance, and a comfortable interior which can also compete with that of a flybridge motor yacht. The Galeon 700 Raptor which is the Polish Strazyn builder current flagship scores in all these departments and is a point of reference not only to compete with similar sized Sport Yachts from other renowned builders, but also to the smaller models of the fleet. The 700 Raptor has also the important element of choice which not only involves materials like wood types or colors, but goes into the planning of ones dream like that of a three or four cabins, and a galley up or down layout.

Technical Data

LOA. 21.74 metres (71.3ft)

Hull Length. 19.72 m

Waterline length. 17.20 metres

Beam. 5.25 metres

Draft. 1.16 metres

Displacement. 36650 kg light

Fuel Capacity. 2 x 1750 litres

Water Capacity. 1000 litres

Max Persons. 16

Accommodation. 6 or 8 guest berths, 3 heads

Engines. 2 x Man V10 1100hp, V12 1224hp, V12 1360hp, V12 1550hp

Propulsion. line shaft

Speed. 40 knots max with 1550hp, 36 knots with 1360hp, 34 knot 1224hp

Range. 380 nm at 24 knots economic cruise with 1360hp engines

Hull Shape. vee hull with sixteen degrees deadrise aft

Project. Tony Castro

Construction. hand laminated polyester resin, infusion used for some parts

Certification. CE 94/25 B

www.galeon.pl

Picture Copyright Galeon. Data Galeon.

New Model: Galeon 700 Raptor Skydeck

Skydeck is the new sport flybridge version for the Galeon 700 Raptor introduced a year ago. A must request accessory which follows what designer Nuvolari Lenard offered first on the Palmer Johnson in 2002. So far the British Tony Castro designed Galeon 700 Raptor Skydeck is one of the smallest Sports Yachts which offer the combination of a second helm and a hard top. Only Sunseeker do in fact offer this option on a smaller model with the 64 Predator introduced in the fall of 2008. Clever in the design thanks to Polish genius the ladder to go for the Skydeck retracts in the extended flybridge aft becoming invisible to the eye and freeing the main deck. The 700 Raptor Skydeck offers a central helm with two J-shaped loungers sunpads to both sides. While in the project of the 700 Raptor Skydeck Castro and Galeon engineers also tweaked the original lower deck plan, now offering also a two person crew cabin with head aft, an option also offered on the standard 700 Raptor version.

Technical Data:

LOA - 21.7 m (71.3ft) Length Hull - 19.7 m

Length Waterline - 17.2 m Beam - 5.25 m

Draft - 1.16 m

Displacement - 37 t light

Fuel Capacity - 2 x 1750 l

Water Capacity - 1000 l
Max Persons - 16
Accommodation - 6 berths in 3 cabins, 8 berths in 4 cabins, 2 crew berths opt

Engines - 2 x MAN 1224hp, 1550hp optional

Speed - 34 knots max with 2 x 1224hp MAN

Design - Tony Castro
Certification - CE B

www.galeon.pl

Project: Galeon 700 Raptor Sky Deck

Galeon present a new version for the new flagship the 700 Raptor, presenting the project for the 700 Raptor Sky Deck. The 700 Raptor Sky Deck is based fully on the hard top sport yacht of the original model, but adding to it a flybridge on top for extra driving enjoyment with sun and wind on your face. The Sky Deck flybridge will feature a central single seated helm station, and two l-shaped settees on the sides. This extra space up top does not disturb the clean lines of the original version and is hardly noticeable from the outside with the only difference to the naked eye being a more pronounced radar arch. Inside the Raptor Sky Deck also follows the theme of the original version with huge windows for unedited views, natural light, and the aft patio door which fully retracts to join the aft deck with the interior saloon. Performance for the 700 Raptor Sky Deck should also be similar to the standard version with Galeon estimating a top 36 knots speed on the Tony Castro designed hull with twin MAN V12 1500hp.
www.galeon.pl

Project: Galeon 700 Raptor

In the recent years Galeon has upgraded its stakes in the motor yachting and cruiser market, with the 2008 season being a year to remember for the Polish builder with the introduction of new generation models like the current flagship 640 Fly and the just launched aggressive 325 cruiser, both designed by renowned designer Tony Castro and both making a stir in the yachting community. This time the Polish builder challenges the market even more offering something bigger, with the new flagship project of the 700 Raptor, a hard top sports yacht which will be Galeon's biggest built to date and of its type in Poland. Powered by twin MAN V12 Diesel engines, producing 1500 hp each, Galeon estimates top speeds of about 36 knots for its new flagship model. Tony Castro continues his great work for Galeaon following his recent success with the 640 and 325, and for the 700 Raptor he presents a forward thinking concept with remarkable new ideas for exclusive comfort and space. The interior follows the recent Galeon theme with fresh and innovative luxury, resembling a modern penthouse or loft, with the usual treat as experienced for the new 640 of exotic woods, glass, metal and leather use all hand picked by Polish craftsmen to ensure the highest quality and coherence of style. Another innovation compared to similar sport yachts in this size, is the use of huge glass roof combined with wide glass doors, which will protect or open air the main deck to the sun, as the owner desires. This model is bound to surprise a lot of people, but we have to wait till spring of 2009 to see how good the 700 Raptor really is.

www.galeon.pl

Galeon New Web Site

It was just about two years ago when Galeon updated its website, but this Polish Eastern European builder comes again with a new digital showroom showing its way forward. This new website wants to show Galeon quality improvement in recent times which is not only in the sizes of its yachts today being up to seventy feet long, but come from the choices available being it woods, hard top, chromatic, and to the performance thanks to a hull design by Tony Castro which the company has been collaborating with since 2004. Polish Galeon was founded in 1982, and today it is a recognizable brand in Europe which in this year 2010 it has opened new offices in the US and China. The company has also been expanding in size. Two years ago its biggest build was the 640 Fly, but today it is the 700 Raptor Skydeck, with the 780 Crystal project what is a two feet super yacht shy flagship currently in development and set to launch next year. Privately owned with two building premises totaling 26,000 squared meters Galeon five hundred employees currently build a total of seventeen models from the 260 Cruiser, to the 700 Skydeck. Its most recent models are the 2010 launched 340 Fly, 700 Skydeck, 350 HTC, and 385 HTS. Two further projects the 385 Open and 780 Crystal flagship are in development stages. Galeon's new website which is a full visual experience takes you around with the following buttons; About Us, Range, News, Dealers, Pre-Owned, and Contacts. Worth a look every season is surely the GC Magazine found in the About Us section.
www.galeon.pl

Production History;

280 Fly 2000-06

440 Fly 2004-14 Tony Castro design

390 Fly 2005-2011

290 Fly 2006-12

530 Fly 2007-11

530 HT 2008-12

640 Fly 2008-13

325 Open 2008-15

325 HTO 2009-16

700 Raptor 2009-15

340 Fly 2010-15

700 Raptor Skydeck 2010-19

350 HTC 2010-16

385 HTS 2010-17

385 Open 2011-17

780 Crystal 2011-12 (2)

420 Fly 2011-18 *400 Fly project

385 HTL 2012-17

380 Fly 2012-19

430 HTC 2012-

550 Fly 2012-22

390 HTC 2013-20

430 Skydeck 2013-

445 HTS 2013-18

660 Fly 2014-17

300 Fly 2014-

305 HTS 2014-

500 Fly 2015-

310 HTC 2015-

510 Skydeck 2016-

365 HTS 2016-

560 Skydeck 2016-

305 Open 2016-

460 Fly 2016-22

335 HTS 2017-

360 Fly 2017-

370 HTC 2017-

640 Fly 2018-

470 Skydeck 2018-22

650 Skydeck 2019-

425 HTS 2019-

680 Fly 2020-

400 Fly 2020-

700 Skydeck 2020-

410 HTC 2021-

405 HTS 2021-

800 Fly 2022- (5

440 Fly 2023-

560 Fly 2023-

450 HTC 2023-

New Model: Galeon 700 Raptor

Another exclusive PowerYachtBlog preview thanks to our friends at Galeon, who finally launch there new much waited flagship 700 Raptor, pictured above in its first sea trials. The 700 Raptor continues the collaboration of Polish largest leisure boat builder, with renowned designer Tony Castro. The hull below water line shape is a further extension of the 640 Fly model. The 700 Raptor follows ultra modern Sport Yacht concepts of offering, a fully enclosed or open main deck at the touch of a button due to fully automatic opening patio doors, hard top and windows. Below deck is fully reserved for the accommodation offering four double cabins with three shower heads. The master cabin located mid ships is extremely spacious with a king size double berth looking to the length of the boat, and a break fast table settee for two with relaxing chaise lounge. During sea trials hull number one performed extremely well, achieving a 34 knots top speed with crew and full fuel load with the standard twin 1224hp MAN engines. A further more powerful engine option of twin 1550hp engines is available. The optional engine choice should achieve wide open throttle speeds close to 40 knots.
Technical Data:
LOA - 21.7 m (71.3ft)

Length Hull - 19.7 m
Length Waterline - 17.2 m

Beam - 5.25 m
Draft - 1.16 m
Fuel Capacity - 2 x 1750 l
Water Capacity - 1000 l

Max Persons - 16

Accommodation - 8 berths in 4 cabins
Engines - 2 x MAN 1224hp, 1550hp optional
Speed - 34 knots max with 2 x 1224hp MAN
Design - Tony Castro

Certification - CE B
www.galeon.pl

News: Galeon October 2010

CANNES SUCCESS GETS TWO PRIZES
The thirty third edition of the boat show in Cannes, South of France has proved to be of great success for Galeon. The show which is considered one of the top World Wide for 2010 featured 500 boats, of which 139 premiers, from thirty four countries World wide. Galeon contribution to Cannes was again impressive with its stand having a great sample of the range, three of which entirely new models which are the 350 HTC, 385 HTS, and 700 Raptor Skydeck which is the current flagship. The 700 Raptor Skydeck which was launched the past Spring was also awarded with two accolades for being the most innovative and best design yacht under 24 metres. Galeon and designer Tony Castro where delighted with this attention.
**********
www.galeon.pl

Project: Galeon 780 Crystal

Just coming from the launching of its new current flagship the 700 Raptor, Galeon continues to upgrade its range to bigger dimensions with the introduction of the 780 Crystal project. Another eight feet plus in size for the Polish Strazyn builder, and only two feet away of what is often referred to as a pocket super yacht. This expansion to bigger sizes has been impressive for Galeon in the last two years with the 640 Fly launched in 2008, followed by the 700 Raptor for this year. So far Galeon is very tight lipped on details for its future flagship, although we can say that the hull mould is in a near to a completed construction phase. If all goes well I give a maximum of two years for this project to be presented for reality. Watch this spot for more.

www.galeon.pl

Improve-it = Galeon 330 Fly

Polish builder Galeon has done the last years improving its range to always better standards in size, and quality. Galeon comes from a decade of successes in all its line that helped upgrade the size of its offer adding it again with the just presented 700 Raptor flagship, six feet more to 2008. The Strasyn builder but continues to look forward and update its products to be more competitive with more models in the works for the near future, and also by improving its current line to higher standards. Poland's top selling motor cruiser the 330 Fly, is now offered with a new more modern interior option. As has been done in other models in the range, Galeon updates them following feedback and requests from its clients. Shown above is a new option for the already unique ten metres motor cruiser offering three cabins that is the 330 Fly, which now adds more to its speciality by being offered with a modern and stylish oak wood interior. This choice apart representing the latest trend of modern wood essence such as oak, gives also the impression of further added spaces due to the natural lighter color it has versus cherry or mahogany. As all Galeon's the oak will be of veneer type, meaning a real sheet of wood adhered to natural density fibreboard, offering a quality feeling of a solid texture but at the same time reducing weight.

www.galeon.pl

New Model: Galeon 350 HTC

Another PowerYacht exclusive set to debut in the coming September month Cannes show. This is Galeon's new 350 HTC, the three letters meaning for Hard Top Coupe. Based on an extended hull which comes from the successful 330 series, the new 350 HTC puts the elements we have seen on the bigger Galeon's into a smaller package. Signs of these are evident in the glass hard top similar to what you see on the 700 Raptor and quality fittings in the upholstery, and furniture. Galeon unlike other builders also opted for a complete new super structure tooling for the 350 HTC, showing bigger windows in the side, and a large windshield compared to the also new for 2010 340 Fly unveiled in January. Apart the super structure differences the 350 HTC keeps various successful elements from the 340 Fly with some of these also coming from the 330 series. I like the clever cockpit settee this like the 340, and the inside galley saloon up arrangement permitting a unique three cabin five berths plan below as found on the 330 line. Power is twin Volvo 220hp, up to a faster optional 300hp choice which gives a 35 knots top speed.
Technical Data:

LOA - 11.32 m (37.1ft)

Hull Length - 10.08 m
Beam - 3.46 m
Draft - 0.73 m
Displacement - 7500 kg unloaded, 9300 kg loaded
Fuel Capacity - 2 x 325 l
Water Capacity - 330 l
Accommodation - 5 + 2 berths
Max Persons - 8
Engines - 2 x Volvo D3 220hp, D4 260hp, D4 300hp
Propulsion - stern drive
Speed - 35 knots max estimated Certification - CE B

www.galeon.pl

INBUILD ~ Galeon 780 Crystal Part 1 of 9

After the positive comments we received for the first Inbuild section dedicated to the new Galeon 340 Fly, the Polish builder gives us the drift again showing us the building phase for its upcoming flagship the 780 Crystal. Galeon has been constantly growing up in sizes in recent years from the 530 launched in 2006, to the 640 for 2008, and the 700 Raptor as the fall of 2009. This is a growth in size of 25 feet in five years, which shows a huge development resolute from Galeon. While this going larger plan shows five years in the making this surely has started much before to the 2006 period. A company needs huge investments to go over the fifteen metres size, such as bigger building premises and also a much higher quality control which a more expensive boat usually demands. The 780 Crystal will be designed by British architect Tony Castro who since 2005 has been a household name at Straszyn, Poland. The above picture shows the construction of the model of the hull mould for the 780 Crystal and was taken in September 2009. This picture shows some things which will feature in the 780 like the big windows for the midship cabin, propeller tunnels, and Tony Castro warped shaped hull which will close to a medium Vee aft. From this the original hull mould will be made and then the first fiberglass unit of the 780 can be made.

www.galeon.pl

INBUILD ~ Galeon 430 HTC Part 2 of 5

We continue the journey into the construction phase of the Galeon 420 HTC.  Again this construction showcase of hull one of the Tony Castro designed 420 HTC shows the upper structure which will be the major difference along with the aft deck of this model to the 420 Fly. While last time we showed the preparation of the tooling, today we present the release and the finalization of the first mold.  The 420 HTC will be a fully enclosed sport  cruiser or as the initials say a hard top coupe.  At aft it will have a patio door which opens or closes all as the weather permits, or the owner desires.  At top it will have an opening electric sunroof.  Its main living area will be on the main deck, with all sleeping accommodation located below. Tony Castro and the Galeon team made the 420 HTC to share look and have a quality feel as a  baby version of the much acclaimed 700 Raptor model, the ex Polish builder flagship from a couple of years ago.

www.galeon.pl

INBUILD ~ Galeon 780 Crystal Part 2 of 9

We continue our journey in the building phases of Galeon 780 Crystal in its dedicated Inbuild section. The Inbuild series shows how Galeon two feet shy from a Super Yacht size flagship is in the making, from the rendering design showed here in the fall of 2009 to its launching in mid late coming Summer. In this second part you are seeing the deck mould of the 780 Crystal. Covered in plastic this first main deck mould is positioned upside down. Those two boxes are in fact the split level interior main saloon, and the forward raised part represents the area with galley, dining table, and helm station. Further aft you can also see a triangle vertical shape which is the tender garage, which looks to be a similar system to that seen on the 700 Raptor.

www.galeon.pl

Project: Galeon 420 HTC

Galeon presents the project of the 420 HTC, which shares hull with another currently in construction model the soon to come 400 Fly.  From a technical point this latest Galeon hard top sport cruiser project designed again by Tony Castro represents one of its most innovative model which comes in the form of a sliding aft deck settee which can module as to one needs.  From a sun lounger to a dinette. But as the Polish builder has showed in the last years the 420 HTC has other innovations, which comes also in the patio door which opens all to join the interior main deck with the exterior aft cockpit.  The hard top also extends on the aft deck and this opens all up, this being also seen on the 700 Raptor.  The 420 HTC also follows latest design instincts and offers a full living on the main deck, in a split level saloon which offers on entrance a C-shaped sofa, opposite settee, and on the raised area galley and helm station to starboard.  The glass hard top in this area also opens for about half of the roof, which makes the HTC become a very open boat.  Down below is space for a standard plan with three cabins, and two heads, and owners room to fore. A two cabin layout with what I imagine a large full beam cabin will also be available.  Power will be from twin 220 up to 435hp engines in various propulsion choices of stern drive, pods, and shaft line.

www.galeon.pl