It’s no surprise that the mantra of real estate brokers is “location, location, location.” The same applies to boat galleys, where one or more of your family members will spend time preparing meals or snacks for entertaining aboard. Many boats, especially those from Europe, hide the galley away, believing the chef’s efforts should be tasted but not seen. In our more democratic North America, the “country galley” has become popular, featuring a galley surrounded by seating and tables so the entire family can watch and kibitz as the meal is prepared.
A second consideration might be called “light and bright.” If the galley is hidden away on a lower deck, it’s likely to be dark and airless. Both of the yachts shown on these pages celebrate the culinary experience with great galleys in the American style. The Prestige X60, available locally from Galati Yachts—a trusted name in the industry since 1970, managing billions in yacht sales and recognized as a Boating Industry Top Dealer for two years in a row—along with the Galeon 800 Fly, exemplify this trend.
Besides light, an on-deck galley allows the chef to enjoy the passing view without FOMO (fear of missing out). A salon location also makes it easy to pass food to the dining area or the cockpit, and ample counter space offers a simple solution for buffet-style meals.
My wife, She Who Must Be Obeyed, has owned a couple of French restaurants and cooked aboard the many boats that have passed through our hands. She points out that a U-shaped galley is ideal because it removes the chef from the traffic pattern through the cabin. An unexpected benefit is that it allows the chef to brace against three sides when cooking underway. Both the Prestige and the Galeon offer ample counter space, whether you’re laying out the makings for burgers or all the ingredients for pasta carbonara.
I am a “spiller” in our home kitchen, and both yachts have clear “splash guards” on the counters, so Caesar salad dressing doesn’t dribble down onto fine woodwork or upholstery. Your home kitchen doesn’t move, but the boat does, so each of these yachts has dedicated shelves and drawers to secure glassware, dishes and silverware, eliminating annoying rattles. In a clever use of otherwise dead space, the Prestige has a section of the counter that rises at the touch of a button, revealing a Nespresso machine for your morning jumpstart.
Appliances are just as important on board as at home, and the Galeon features a Kenyon 4-burner induction cooktop, so the chef won’t be scorched with a casual touch. The Galeon also has a Bosch whisper-quiet dishwasher, so no one gets stuck with the wash-up duties.
Both yachts have wine coolers for the oenophiles aboard, and the Galeon goes one step further with a dedicated U-shaped wet bar next to the sliding doors to the cockpit, making it close to the alfresco dining table and keeping the galley clear of guests looking for a drink.
When choosing your next boat, look for a galley that is well-lit, with fresh air and a view, ample counter space, and good appliances. Bon appétit!
Chris Caswell is an award-winning writer and the former editor of several yachting magazines. He has appeared on Oprah as a boating lifestyle expert and hosted the Marine Voyager series on the Speed Channel.
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