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F-Line PRESTIGE 500 A Bold Icon

PRESTIGE 500

Introduction

Prestige 500, a bold icon.

Balanced forms and overall expression affirm power and security. The Flybridge of the PRESTIGE 500 is the point of pride of the yacht, with a unique size for a motor yacht of 50’.

Her interior layout features two concepts that define her personality: an immense living space on a single level, benefitting from a spacious integrated galley that services both the interior and exterior, and her owner’s suite bathed in light by two large panoramic windows, with an independent access and a very large adjoining head and shower compartment.

A great success, and equipped with a propulsion pod, this PRESTIGE has won more awards than any 50-footer in the world!

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Explore in closer detail, specifications, characteristics, other models.

ferretti yachts 500

CUMMINS QSB 6.7

15.33 [m] 50 ft 4 in

13.85 [m] 45 ft 5 in

4.33 [m] 14 ft 2 in

1.23 [m] 4 ft 0 in

Unladen displacement

18500 [kg] 40,786 [lbs]

Laden displacement

22000 [kg] 48,502 [lbs]

1350 [l] 357 [US gal]

600 [l] 159 [US gal]

People on board

Cruise speed

Design Category

Classification

B + F + A1 (Sound Emission) IMCI

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Discover our fleet

ferretti yachts 1000

No dream is too big: with a length of 100 feet, the breath taking new Ferretti Yachts flagship takes the company into uncharted territory. Majestic, versatile and suitable for all markets, Ferretti Yachts 1000 has reshaped spaces and changed the whole approach to life on board. It features unprecedented design solutions and a choice of two different moods for the interiors. Owners and their guests can enjoy complete privacy and make the most of the exterior thanks to an extremely innovative and practical aft beach area and a spacious flybridge that is connected directly to the forward section.

ferretti yachts 1000 SkyDeck New

Make room for the sky. Let the sky flood in to your exclusive upper-deck lounge.

ferretti yachts 920

Striking lines, unmistakable style, charm and performance – all in one remarkable yacht. This highly innovative maxi-flybridge is designed with an impressive collection of spaces, featuring sumptuous décor, multipurpose relaxation areas and a classic-contemporary interior feel. She is the quintessence of wellbeing and style.

ferretti yachts 860

Composing a melody in which the notes of each individual instrument are beautifully orchestrated, Ferretti Yachts gears up to bring a new symphony to life: Ferretti Yachts 860. The flybridge yacht created by the Cattolica-based Shipyard features cutting-edge design and technology solutions, where the stylistic and architectural elements work together in harmony right down to the tiniest detail.

ferretti yachts 780

This flybridge yacht, with its streamlined design, sleek lines and sharp styling, satisfies the owner’s every wish in terms of comfort, style, seaworthiness and safety at sea. After the recent major restyling, Ferretti Yachts 780 features extensive glazed surfaces in the hull, giving the sleek and streamlined profile a sportier look, new furnishings, with an enlarged bar in a central position in the standard layout, and redesigned interiors, with the possibility of choosing between two moods: classic or contemporary.

ferretti yachts 720

Shaped by architect Filippo Salvetti, who worked with Ferretti Group to devise the external design, this newest member of the fleet opens up a whole new way to experience the sea. The 720’s remarkably ingenious solutions elevate the concept of cruising in luxurious comfort to new heights. It’s about living the sea life in style, in your home on the waves, with all the comforts of a yacht of timeless elegance and a sensation of wellbeing like never before.

ferretti yachts 670

This fantastic vessel makes a captivating impression with her outstanding use of space. The fabulously luminous interiors and modular external areas hold particular appeal. Her latest-generation technology fashions a matchless cruising experience amid some truly iconic design. This is a yacht that makes room for beauty.

ferretti yachts 580

An emblem of Modern Luxury, the new Ferretti Yachts 580 has ideal features for an intimate and comfortable experience of the sea in perfect Ferretti Yachts style.

Breathtakingly beautiful, astonishingly comfortable, and personalisable inside with two alternative interior-design moods, the Ferretti Yachts 500 ushers in a new era for the brand. The brand new yacht combines nautical adventure with the domestic dimension in spaces and solutions of a comfort you’d normally expect only on rather larger craft. The overall effect is a family ambience that immerses guests in a sensation of total wellbeing.

infynito 90 New

The INFYNITO has finally taken shape: INFYNITO 90 is here, the first model in the new range, ready to chart a new course and propel Ferretti Yachts into the future.

infynito 80 Project

Sustainability criteria, more covered exterior surface area and continuity between interiors and exteriors are the key features of Ferretti Yachts INFYNITO 80.

Ferretti S.p.A. Tax code and VAT no. 04485970968 Registered Office Via Irma Bandiera, 62 – 47841 Cattolica (RN) Italy REA no. RN 296608 - Companies Register no. 04485970968 Share capital € 338.482.654,00 fully paid-up PEC: [email protected]

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Galeon 500 Fly Review (2019 Edition)

Galeon's 16m flybridge is a real box of tricks with class leading deck spaces and a spacious three-cabin interior.

Galeon's range is a sprawling mix of sportscruisers, flybridges and sportsbridges from 10-22m but the 500 Fly is at the heart of what it does best. At first glance it looks like a typical 16m flybridge with masses of glazing and a comfortable three-cabin interior but this is one of the most inventive boats in the class.

The innovative cockpit features folding balconies with the option to have a rotating dinette with a built in tender garage. Clever stuff but is there substance behind these head-turning gadgets? Keep reading to find out.

Galeon 500 Fly Key Facts

LOA 53.15ft
Model Year 2019
Max Speed 30 knots
Status In Production
Yacht Type Flybridge
Use Type Cruising

Test & Review Video

YachtBuyer Score

In this article:

Our Verdict

Rivals to consider.

Specification

Our Scores Explained

Performance & Handling

The 500 Fly is available with three shaft drive engine choices with an upgrade to IPS also on the options sheet. You'll pay six figures for that upgrade, however, so most will no doubt opt for one of the shaft options, which includes Volvo Penta D8 600hp, D8 670hp and D11 725hp twin diesels. Unless the boat has a particularly light spec the smallest 600s will likely struggle to shift the 500 without feeling strained so the more powerful engines would be a wise choice. If the boat if fitted with weighty options like the beach club and flybridge hard top then it would be sensible to opt for the 725s.

Our Test Speed & Range Data

100nm 100nm 200nm 200nm 300nm 300nm 400nm 400nm 500nm 500nm 600nm 600nm 700nm 700nm
687 nm @ 7.4 knots eco
190 nm @ 22.3 knots cruise
161 nm @ 32.0 knots max

Galeon 500 Fly version 2019. *Data collected by Yacht Buyer during testing. View Full Test Results

Around the Marina

Don't be dismayed that the IPS option with its joystick is such an expensive option because with twin shafts and Sleipner's excellent proportional bow thruster the 500 Fly is a friendly boat to negotiate around the marina. For extra peace of mind, a stern thruster is an option and that will give finer control of the stern when squeezing into tight berths, especially when mooring stern-to in the Mediterranean style.

The twin props provide great bite in and out of gear so twisting the boat into position is easy and with such a great view out from the lower helm and a large electric window it's just as comfortable to berth the boat from the lower helm as it is from the raised position on the flybridge.

It's not quite as easy to crew as the likes of the Sealine F530 and Absolute 47 Fly because it doesn't have a side door at the helm but the decks are safe and easy to navigate.

Our test boat had pretty much the highest spec you could choose for a 500 Fly with all of the most desirable options in place. The expectation might be that this would make for a heavy and lethargic driving experience but that isn't the case. The boat on test had the largest twin 725hp shaft drive engines and they made light work of nipping the boat onto the plane and up to its natural cruising speed of 22 knots. Flat out we achieved 32 knots.

The hull is quiet, soft riding and confident through chop, though it must be said that conditions weren't particularly taxing during the test. Considering that the engines are mounted beneath the saloon floor, sound levels are managed well, too, which is maybe no surprise given the amount of insulation in the engine room.

The handling is as much of a pleasant surprise as the performance, the light, responsive steering making the 500 a sportscruiser baiting prospect in the twists and turns. The IPS version is likely to feel a little more detached from the helm(s) and not be quite as agile as the shaft drive alternative, which has plenty of bite in the water from its twin rudders.

Galeon 500 Fly performance, Galeon 500 Fly cruising

Design & Build

Galeon 500 Fly flybridge, Galeon 500 Fly balconies

From the pen of British designer Tony Castro, the 500 Fly is a striking boat that has almost more glazing than GRP in both its superstructure and topsides. The profile is quite busy, certainly compared to the likes of the Prestige 520 and Princess F50, but it’s a boat with a host of tricks up its sleeve. At the push of a couple of buttons the aft end of the deck unfolds creating two substantial balconies that almost double the usable space available. Opt for the rotating cockpit seating and you have undoubtedly the most appealing cockpit in the class.

What’s most impressive about these gizmos is that they don’t compromise the 500’s workings as a boat and appear to have no negative effect on performance and handling despite their added weight.

The interior isn't quite as inventive as the exterior but there are lots of different colour, trim and upholstery choices. The physical three-cabin layout of the lower deck is fixed, however.

Quality Street

There was a time when buyers would turn their noses up at boats produced in Poland but it doesn’t take long aboard this model to realise that Galeon really knows what it’s doing then it comes to fit and finish. Components are expensive, the interior woodwork is excellent and there is a general feeling of solidity that suprasses many of its mass-produced rivals.

Galeon 500 Fly galley, Galeon 500 Fly quality

Interior Accommodation

Galeon 500 Fly saloon, Galeon 500 Fly interior

With such a functionality-packed cockpit it makes perfect sense for the 500 Fly to have an aft galley layout. The sliding windows on either side of the saloon and pop-up bar section allow the galley to double up as a service area for the cockpit but it’s also an easy passage from the cooking area to the forward dinette if guests are dining inside.

The two-way seat opposite the galley is another clever piece of the design that can either serve as a cosy perch opposite the galley or, with the window open and backrest flipped into the boat, an equally lovely spot to gaze out over the water with a coffee.

The boat is a little short of fridge/freezer space in the saloon with just a rather small under-counter unit compared to the domestic-size fridge/freezers that some rivals manage to include in their galleys. That said, dry storage is very good throughout the saloon and there’s space for a dishwasher at the end of the galley return.

Time For Bed

The three-cabin, two-bathroom layout of the lower deck is fixed but the standard arrangement works well. The star of the show is the full-beam master ensuite, which is well appointed, spacious and has over 6ft 1in of headroom throughout. The VIP isn’t far behind and benefits from long strips of glazing on either side and an oversized skylight that will draw plenty of natural light into the cabin during the day.

The VIP shares its ensuite with the third cabin but it’s a good size so this shouldn’t be too much of an issue. The third cabin is bunk beds only and is probably best suited to kids but the berths are large enough for adults to be comfortable during shorter stays.

Galeon 500 Fly bunks, Galeon 500 Fly guest cabin

Helm Station

Galeon 500 Fly lower helm, Galeon 500 fly dashboard

It’s a tale of two helms on the 500 Fly as the lower helm hits all the right notes whereas the one upstairs has room for improvement. The main issue is that the latter has very little adjustment so you can’t tweak the driving position to suit your body shape. The small bench seat is fixed and therefore you find yourself leaning a long way forward to reach the MFDs (multi-function displays), which is where almost all of the major systems are controlled. That said the relationship between wheel and throttles is good and layout is clear and easy to use.

The driving position is much more intimate at the lower helm and controls fall to hand more easily. There is no side door but large electric windows on either side aid both ventilation and communication with those on deck. Later models don’t have the run of analogue dials at the top of the dash, which is a shame as they look good and make it easy to quickly check that levels and temperatures are as expected. There is also quite a large blind spot to starboard due to the size of the windscreen mullion.

Galeon 500 Fly cockpit, Galeon 500 Fly balconies

This is where the 500 Fly streaks ahead of its rivals. With the ‘beach club’ option, which includes the terraces and hydraulic bathing platform, plus the rotating dinette, there isn’t a boat in the sector that can compete with the socialising space of the 500 Fly.

The cockpit grabs a lot of the attention for obvious reasons but there’s clever thinking on the foredeck as well. The optional sliding seats glide forward and out at the touch of a button to create passageways to the side decks and the simple but brilliant pop-up backrests make the bench seating much more comfortable if you’re sitting for sundowners.

The gadgets may appear complicated but their mechanisms are refreshingly simple in a bid to minimise the likelihood of malfunction or weighty repair bills. There are no gimmicks here, all of the toys genuinely improve life on board the boat.

Flying High

Let’s not forget the flybridge, either. This is a really good space and large for a boat of this size. The small wet bar splits cooking and cooling facilities and is well placed to serve the large dinette at the aft end with dedicated sunbathing space forward of the helm. Shelter is provided by either a canvas bimini or a hard top, which is likely to prove popular. Headroom under the aft end of the top is a bit tight for those over 6ft but clearance improves forward where there is a built-in canvas sunroof.

Galeon 500 Fly cockpit, Galeon 500 Fly rotating seat

Value For Money

Those who expect the Galeon to be much cheaper than its rivals because of its eastern European roots may be in for a shock. The 500 Fly is unlikely to undercut its French and German rivals and may be a little more expensive than most but, as has been covered already, you can see and feel where the money is being spent all over the Galeon. It’s a quality product and the touch points are top notch. Not many shipyards offer the five year manufacturer warranty that Galeon does, either. Plus, with such clever deck spaces and the spacious interior you certainly feel like you’re getting bang for your buck.

Our Options & Pick

Galeon's UK dealer, Approved Boats, has a sensible approach to pricing. Rather than offer a base boat and then add a load of extras, it offers a UK spec and a Med spec with all the necessary equipment included in the price.

The Med spec includes everything UK spec has and adds air-conditiong, an uprated generator, hydraulic paserelle and - to help with the added weight - the mid-range D11 670hp engines as standard. You can add and remove items from this list as required but it makes for a much more realstic pricing strategy. In terms of our pick, then, it somewhat depends on where you're going to keep the boat. The Med spec really is the whole package and ticks most major options but it does command a chunky premium over the UK version.

The hard top isn't standard on either spec but we would go for it, both for the flexibility it adds to the top deck and for resale value, given that most buyers will be looking for it. We would avoid the smallest engine option.

It is not a cheap option but the Seakeeper gyro stabiliser is worth considering. That cockpit is fantastic but the shine will be taken off if the boat is bobbing like a cork at anchor.

In a highly competitive sector the Galeon 500 Fly has a true USP. The transforming cockpit is far more than some boat show gimmick or quayside theatre, it genuinely improves life on board and provides a significant increase in usable living space. Underneath all of this innovation, however, there is a really solid cruising machine; Galeon and Tony Castro’s design team haven’t lost sight of how the 500 needs to function as a boat. It’s well built, safe and bristling with smart and practical touches.

It’s a shame that the IPS option is so expensive but around the marina and at sea the 500 Fly is well mannered, predictable and easy to control. It’s also quite a lot more fun to drive than you might expect.

It isn’t the prettiest boat in its class, or the biggest, but it’s an accomplished all-rounder with an ace up its sleeve.

Reasons to Buy

Outstanding functionality
High quality interior
Engaging handling
A lot of boat for the money

Things to Consider

Upper helm ergonomics
IPS option is prohibitively expensive
Third cabin has bunks

The 16m flybridge sector is one of the most competitive in the market with most of the leading brands offering a decent contender at this size. Few rivals offer the innovation of the Galeon but the Polish boat faces stiff competition from a variety of established shipyards.

First launched in 2015, the Sealine F530 boasts an impressively voluminous interior. Though it may not possess the Transformer-like tricky of the Galeon’s main deck it has more options when it comes to the layout of the lower deck with choice of a twin or double third cabin and a storage room or single crew cabin at the stern. The two engine options are both IPS (either IPS700 or 800) for a top speed with the latter of 30 knots.

The Prestige 520 is a handsome machine with clean lines and a sleek profile. Like the Sealine it is only available with IPS and, though smooth and refined, can’t quite compete with the performance of the shaft drive Galeon. There are three cabins on the lower deck; two doubles and a twin with separate access to the master ensuite directly from the saloon. As with the Galeon, a tender garage is an option but you sacrifice the crew cabin.

The Princess F50 is smaller than the Galeon but it sets the benchmark for fit and finish on a boat of this size. Its on water dynamics are also very polished with near 35-knot performance from twin 600hp Volvo Penta IPS800s and a smooth-riding Olesinski planing hull. You do feel the boat’s smaller dimensions within the interior where the third cabin has bunks instead of twin berths and there is no crew cabin option but this is a classy operator with strong residuals.

The Absolute 47 Fly may be shorter than the 500 Fly but its ever so slightly wider beam says a lot about where the focus is for the Italian boat. The interior feels ridiculously spacious for a boat of these dimensions and the offset berth in the forward master makes the most of the available space. There isn’t a crew cabin but the 47 makes up for this with probably the most comfortable cabin spaces of all the boats mentioned here. Absolute builds its boats to cruise in the low 20s, so performance is a little down on the others, but it’s a capable machine out on the water.

Specifications & Performance

Builder Galeon
Range Flybridge
Model 500 Fly
Length Overall 53.15ft
Beam 14.633ft
Draft(full load) 3.281ft
Yacht Type (Primary) Flybridge
Use Type (Primary) Cruising
Cruising Speed Max Speed
Fuel Capacity 476 Gallons
Fresh Water Capacity 172 Gallons
Engine Model 2x Volvo Penta D11-670
Engine economic speed 8.3 knots
Engine max range (speed type) 484.8 nm

Performance Data

Galeon 500 Fly version 2019. *Data collected by Yacht Buyer during testing.

Test Engines Twin Volvo Penta D11-670

Liters Per Hour
Liters Per Mile
CRUISE

Yacht Load: 0 Litres of water 50 Litres of fuel 4 members of crew air temperature of 25 °C

Sea Conditions: F1 and calm. Figures are taken from onboard readings, yours may vary depending on load and sea conditions. The range figures include 20% in reserve.

Galeon 500 Fly Layout

The flybridge is a good size for this sector and the optional carbon fibre hard top with a built in fabric sunroof is likely to be a popular option.

The main deck is the 500's party piece. The folding balconies grab headlines but in the cockpit there is also the choice between L-shaped seating and a crew cabin or a rotating dinette with a tender garage.

Some rivals have space for twins instead of bunks inside the third cabin but the level of fit and finish is excellent. Not the most flexible accommodation but very nicely executed.

Jack Haines

Jack is YachtBuyer's Reviews Director. He is a writer, editor and presenter with 15 years’ experience testing over 350 motorboats of all shapes and sizes, from 20ft RIBs to 120ft yachts (and even the Royal Navy Frigate HMS Sutherland ).

United Kingdom
Rest of World

THE POWER OF INNOVATION

Highly customizable, with three distinct aft configurations to choose from, the 500 Fly offers flexibility with cockpit arrangements. Choose between a full-sized garage with a sundeck on top, a classic L-shaped sofa and crew cabin setup or the innovative roto-seat option that includes a compact garage. Best of all – all three will let you take full advantage of the unique beach mode that extends the width of the cockpit to a stunning 6 meters by dropping down both the port and starboard sides.

Galeon 500 FLY revolutionized the market by introducing solutions previously seen only on high-end custom designed units. The transformable bow, rotating cockpit area and, most notably, the drop down sides were the highlights noticed by customers and industry professionals alike. Named the European Powerboat of the Year 2016 and recipient of several other accolades including the IBI Boat Builders Award, it proved once and for all that it belongs in the upper echelon of luxury crafts worldwide.

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Model brochure in a PDF file

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Description

Meet one of the most stunning and innovative yachts of the last decade, a four time „yacht of the year” winner, galeon 500 fly. with amazing features, superb performance and a luxurious, customizable interior, it may just be the best boat in its class..

Choose between a full-sized garage with a sun pad on top, a classic L-shaped sofa and crew cabin setup or the innovative roto-seat option that includes a compact garage. All three layouts will let you take full advantage of the unique Beach Mode option that extends the width of the cockpit to a stunning six meters by dropping down both the port and starboard sides. The bow rest area comes with a transformable seating arrangement which will quickly alter and auto level it into a proper sundeck. Select the optional, soft top bimini for extra protection.

Down below, three cabins and two bathrooms await the passengers for a total of six berths. The master cabin, located midship, offers a double bed, a large wardrobe and a private bathroom. Offer your guests the bow VIP cabin for spectacular night views thanks to a series of skylights. The double guest cabin can be turned into a study, a wardrobe or an additional leisure area.

Project 2024
Custom Walnut Gloss
Caravaggio Gloss

Technical specification

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Alexander Marine Australia Pty Ltd

The Boat Works Complex Waterfront Suite 2 Building A 200 Beattie Road Coomera Queensland 4209

Ph: +61 (0)7 5618 0000