Galeon Yachts, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, is one of the latest builders to capitalize on the growing popularity of outboard-powered day boats. At the 2021 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in October, the Polish builder launched its new Grand Touring Outboard (GTO) series with the new 325. At just under 33 feet, it’s the smallest model in Galeon’s line, which ranges up to 70 feet, as well as the first to have outboard engines.
Bob Burke, Galeon Yachts brand manager with MarineMax, reported at the show that more than 30 of the 325 GTOs already had been sold. “A lot of young families are buying it,” he said.
The boat’s appeal to families is easy to see. The molded-in swim platform, which extends out past the outboards on either side, provides easy walk-on access from the dock to the boat. It also makes a safer jumping-off spot for swimming while at anchor in a quiet bay or cove. The transom seat back is adjustable, so parents can sit facing the water to watch the kids swim.
The 325 GTO’s deck is all one level, from bow to stern, allowing for surer footing while underway. The decking is synthetic for easy cleaning and is soft and comfortable underfoot. Families also will appreciate the benefits of having an enclosed head and a sleeping area where children can nap out of the sun in the cabin belowdecks.
Contemporary in styling, the 325 GTO is designed to provide a wide-open, outdoor-living experience that connects owners with the water. To further this feeling, the port aft gunwale folds down at the press of a button, adding more than three feet of beam when the boat is at the dock or at anchor. When open, its heavy-duty hinges are flush with the deck so they won’t be toe-stubbers. I would recommend making sure the removable railing stanchions and ropes are in place if you have small children.
In addition to a fold-down gunwale platform, a “summer kitchen” is another must-have amenity on day boats in this size range today. The 325 GTO does not disappoint, featuring a large, molded-in galley on deck equipped with sink, electric grill, storage cabinet and small fridge. I also applaud Galeon for including a sturdy built-in trash can in the cabinet under the sink.
Galeons are known for their seaworthy hulls, but without adding canvas, the 325 GTO strikes me as primarily a fair-weather boat. The hardtop shelters the galley and bridge area, and the boat we toured at the show was equipped with a SureShade power shade that extends to cover the aft cockpit as well. There is a heavy-duty glass windshield, but no side windows beyond two small, tinted plexiglass cut-outs to provide protection from wind and rain.
The elaborate, three-part door that closes off the port-side entry to the bow compartment has a central glass pane that extends the windshield, giving the driver a better view of the waters ahead. This pane is so heavy, however, that Galeon engineered it to open downward rather than flipping back up against the main part of the windshield as we have seen in other boats.
The helm station, complemented by two contoured and comfortable helm seats, is impressively large for a boat of this size, with space for two 16-inch multifunction screens. At the show, one of them displayed Mercury’s VesselView engine-management system, and a Mercury joystick control was mounted within easy reach of the starboard seat. Galeon offers the 325 GTO with twin 350-hp Mercury Verado outboards standard; the show boat had optional 400-hp Verados, which the builder says give it a cruising speed of 33 knots and a top speed of 37 knots.
Accessed via a companionway to port of the helm, the cabin is remarkably spacious, featuring a double mid-berth in addition to the convertible
V-berth. Located three steps down from the main deck, it has 6 feet, 2 inches of headroom and is awash with light thanks to the clever window arrangement. The enclosed head is a “wet head” but offers plenty of space to maneuver, along with a port that opens for ventilation. As Burke summed up, “You get the full day boat experience, but you can overnight in it as well.”
Specifications
LOA: 32’9”
Beam: 10’11”
Draft (max): 3’7”
Weight (dry): 14,200 lbs.
Fuel: 225 gals.
Water: 32 gals.
Power: (2) 400-hp Mercury Verados
This article was originally published in the February 2022 issue.
