2021 Galeon 410 HTC

Overview

Besides introducing me to the new Galeon 410 HTC, this sea trial provided several reminders. First, why Boating always does two-way performance runs. With 35 mph of wind over the deck and gusts to 40 off Stuart, Florida, our speed difference upwind and downwind was sizable: nearly 2.5 mph at top-end.

Second, as a Califloridian, flybridges are as natural to me as apple pie and ice cream. But comfortably ensconced at the calm inside helm aboard the Galeon, I realized that express cruisers (the HTC stands for Hard Top Coupe) are relevant in all climes. I would not have wanted to be on the bridge of the sistership Galeon 400, which shares the same hull but adds a flybridge. (Although there is an inside station.)

With Capt. Rick Castellini at the helm, we departed the dock easily using the Side-Power bow thruster. This also showed off one of the cool things about the 410. Rick did it standing on the side deck. There is a large floor-to-ceiling sliding door next to the double-wide helm seat, so the skipper can step onto the deck with his hand remaining on the shifters and joystick. It’s perfect for shorthanding, or with families where the skipper needs to tend lines too.

The most visible cool feature of the 410 are the twin “beaches” that fold out from each side of the cockpit to enhance the already-spacious transom platform. Electrically activated, these are teak-planked to complete the cockpit as a first-rate entertainment area. It is protected by a canvas sunshade with a solid frame that slides out of the hardtop, and the transom has a full galley with Kenyon grill and two sinks. There are also huge lockers in the transom for stashing fenders, lines and other gear.

Interior and Accessories

Entry to the salon is through a pair of bi-fold doors that disappear when opened fully, extending this entertainment area seamlessly from the huge windshield to the transom. With the doors open, the aft dinette seatback flips to provide even more seating for the cockpit with its double-folding table for alfresco dining. And if you want even more air and sun than the slider by the helm provides, the window over the portside galley slides down silently, and an immense overhead sunroof opens electrically.

The skipper gets a great view in all directions, with twin pantograph wipers to clear any spray, and the sliding bolstered helm seat faces a clean and user-friendly dash. Twin Raymarine monitors for navigation and systems plus the Volvo Penta engine monitor keep tabs on everything, while SeaStar hydraulic steering and armrests make this a skipper’s throne.

Opposite is the galley, again with twin sinks (hidden under covers for counter space) and a two-burner Kenyon electric cooktop. A Kenyon microwave is under the counter, as is the Isotherm fridge. Galeon realizes that there are klutzes (like me) in galleys, and a plastic splash rail keeps mistakes from dribbling downhill onto the two-person settee just aft.

On the lower level, you’ll find a whole new world with two staterooms and—surprise—two full heads, both with showers. The master stateroom is aft, and it has surprisingly tall headroom, with access to both sides of the king berth on centerline. There is a door to its private head, which has a full stall shower with both a shower wand and overhead rain showerhead.

Another cabin is forward, with a V-berth that slides together to create a double berth, and both cabins have excellent stowage in hanging lockers and drawers. The guest cabin has its own privacy door, as well as direct access to the portside day head, which has a shower and Tecna toilet.

Back on deck, there is a sun pad and seating forward, as well as boarding gates on both sides to make access to higher piers easy. The stanchions, like the sea rails on shelving inside the cabin, show off impeccable stainless-steel craftsmanship, with welds like polished jewelry.

Shopping? Consider the Cruisers 42 GLS ($1,081,619 with triple Mercury 400s) that also offers two beaches and outboard power.

Engines

A pair of Volvo Penta D6 440 hp diesels power the 410 HTC through V-drive transmissions. Access is through a hatch in the cockpit floor, and headroom is limited, although one can get around to the outside of the engines. All normal maintenance points are close to the entry hatch.

Speaking of access, I loved the Blue Sea Systems electrical panel, which is at eye level just inside the salon behind glass doors and, besides neatly labeled rockers for all systems, it has controls for the 12 kW Fischer Panda 240V diesel generator.

Read Next: 2021 Galeon 325 GTO

All the delights of the Galeon 410 HTC pale compared to actually running it. The boat is simply fun, coming up fast onto plane (without touching the Bennett trim tabs), steering as nimbly as a boat half its size, and not even noticing the nasty rows of wind chop during our sea trial.

If the flybridge on the sister 400 is like adding ice cream to apple pie, then thanks, but I’ll take my apple pie straight and enjoy the heck out of the Galeon 410 HTC.

How We Tested

• Engines: Twin Volvo Penta D6 440 hp
• Drive/Prop: V-drive/nibral 23″ x 22.8″
• Gear Ratio: 2.00:1 Fuel Load: 100 gal. Water on Board: 10 gal. Crew Weight: 400 lb.

High Points

• Huge sliding door by the helm.
• Loved the luxuriously diamond-tufted upholstery on all seats.
• Sea rails on all shelves and lockers, so nothing falls out in a seaway.

Low Points

• Backrest of the forward sun pad blocks the skipper’s view of the water close ahead (such as lobster pots and flotsam).
• Big-people steps to the cabin level need to be shortened.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

Galeon Yachts USA – galeonyachts.us; marinemax.com