The Galeon Yachts 450 HTC is a yacht designed to enjoy the outdoors. This is even true inside the salon, where panoramic windows exceed 4 feet in height—and are joined by a single-pane windshield, double-folding aft doors, a sunroof, an opening portside window and a starboard helm door. Adding to the sense of openness is 7-foot-8-inch headroom.
Out on deck, the 450 HTC has space to bask in the sunshine forward with a sun pad that has adjustable backrests. There’s also a flip-up backrest, creating a bench seat for cocktail hour. A recessed locker handles the anchor windlass and tackle, keeping the deck clear of clutter. Walk-around side decks are 14 inches wide, allowing for more interior volume. High rails from midship to the bow add safety and include a rail that can open for side boarding.
There’s also sunning space on the aft deck’s L-shaped settee, near a dining table and with a reversible backrest on the side seat. This side seat converts to another sun pad. A sunshade is cleverly housed in the hardtop, with side extensions that make the shade look like part of the hardtop structure.
There’s easy access from here to the water by way of the hydraulic swim platform, which has an extending staircase. An electric Kenyon grill is in the transom station, along with a sink for cooking up the day’s fresh catch.
Or dine in the salon, out of the sun. There’s a U-shaped dinette to starboard with an adjustable wood table. A flat-screen TV rises from abaft the portside bench seat for movie nights with the family.
Just forward on the main deck is the galley, which has a two-burner Kenyon cooktop, Corian counters, an undercounter Isotherm fridge with a freezer, a Samsung microwave oven, and a divided sink with a cover. With this galley-up design, cruising couples can stay within proximity of each other while one preps a meal and the other steers. Multiple drawers, overhead cabinets and a pantry are all here to stow provisions.
The helm is to starboard. Twin 12-inch Raymarine Axiom multifunction displays are in the console, along with a 7-inch Volvo Penta electronic vessel control display. There is space for more electronics, such as the autopilot, Side-Power bow and stern thrusters, and an Optimus electronic power-steering controller. Backlit push-button switches are mounted in the dash.
This is a boat that should be easy for a couple or a solo skipper to run. A starboard door next to the helm allows the operator to get on deck and handle lines. For a spouse or crew, a doublewide upholstered seat is close by.
Belowdecks and amidships is the full-beam (13-foot-8-inch) master stateroom with a queen-size berth and a ceiling stepped in places, allowing for the main-deck configuration above. With port and starboard dressers and cabinets, along with closets, there’s plenty of stowage for extended cruises. Galeon also included panache by adding a backlit sculpted headboard, satin-finish wood, soft carpeting, a 32-inch TV and hullside windows. The en suite head has a basin sink, Corian countertop, electric toilet and separate shower stall.
The forepeak VIP is also stylish with a centerline berth and inlaid ceiling. In fact, it could be considered a second master stateroom. There’s an option for a third stateroom with twin bunks, which might be handy for cruising with children.
The 450 HTC’s engine room is accessed via a hatch in the cockpit sole. Cleanly finished and painted, it has room to get at the ancillary systems, such as the 12 kW Fischer Panda generator, 11-gallon water heater, battery banks, stainless-steel fuel and water tanks, and filters. It’s nice to see the engine dipsticks centrally located as well. Thanks to the straight-shaft, V-drive transmissions, the engines can be mounted a bit farther aft, creating more interior space.
Galeon allows the 450 HTC to be customized, but the standard features already include 316 stainless railings, opening portholes belowdecks, wood cabinetry, window treatments, direct and indirect lighting, and more. Basically, it’s a turnkey vessel. A chilled-water air-conditioning system produces 67,000 Btu of frigid air while operating at a low noise level. Owners can opt for upgraded interior furnishings, electronics, a Seakeeper 5 or other niceties.
A boat can’t be everything to everyone, but the Galeon 450 HTC has a solid pedigree that comes pretty darn close.
Power Up
Twin 480 hp Volvo Penta D6 straight-shaft diesel engines get this 41,240-pound fiberglass hull up and going. I saw a wide-open-throttle speed of 27.7 knots. Slow cruising at 2,800 rpm brought a 17.8-knot speed with a range of 290 nautical miles. At 9.1 knots, range is 397 nm.
Easy Rider
Running this express cruiser in a 2- to 3-foot chop was exhilarating yet comfortable. Responses to wheel input were immediate, bow rise during acceleration was minimal, and the low noise level made driving the 450 HTC a pleasure. With slight leans into hard-over turns, there was no feeling of loss of control. The Zipwake trim-control system keeps the ride level at all times.
Side-Deck Magic
The cockpit’s usable space expands with port and starboard foldout “beach mode” terraces. These 84-by-24-inch platforms are sturdy and have safety railings. With a center cutout window, there’s visibility when the platforms are closed.
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