Looking to purchase: Galeon 400 Fly

The good thing about dealing with Marine Max is that they have good representation on the east coast. If you need parts or service they're close pretty much wherever you are. Even though I agree with J that their support is not great, it's available. A lot of other companies don't even give you that.
At 40' my recommendation is always to buy pre-owned. The first owner gets the biggest depreciation hit. He also pays to equip the boat and deals with fixing the new boat bugs. When you consider how little most boats get used one that's 2 or 3 years old has very low hours and is still under warranty. Also consider the market. Last summer a ton of people bought boats cause there was nothing else for them to do. No vacations, no sports, no school, etc. This summer a lot of those boats will sit on the dock while the families do more of the normal things. After paying the expenses through this past winter and then this summer and using the boat very little a lot of those boats are going to hit the market. That's low hour boats that the people need to dump to pay for their vacations, sports, etc. If I wanted to get into boating I'd wait until after Labor Day 2021 or at least until mid-summer, and I'd definitely buy pre-owned. The savings will pay for a lot of fuel and vacation time.

The warranty concern is valid however you should be able to purchase an extended warranty. Since Galeon is fairly new to the U.S. market I'm not sure how much weight to give that though. When MM first took on Azimut I remember getting warranty work approved was a nightmare. Because MM has good representation warranties are good if honored. With other boats I find they're less important because what you spend traveling for service and the time involved makes them a lot less worthwhile. I'd rather no warranty and start from the start finding and developing a relationship with a good local mechanic. Of course is you blow a $60,000 motor my way isn't so good.
As for the price differential it's bigger than you think once you add in things like electronics that the pre-owned has already added and you'll have to buy with new. Be aware that MM sales people are very good at their job. They're very good at talking monthly payment and moving people up with the notion that it's only a few dollars more to move up. Then when the boat market dumps as it tends to do every 10 years or so you find out that you're upside-down. I remember one client who when in the market had a friend offer him a 50 SR for $1. Just take over the payments. He was ready to do it until I pointed out that the boat was worth $200,000 less than what was owed.

Absolutely and don't accept it for delivery until all items have been fixed. The moment you leave the dealer the power leaves your hands.

I recommend Malcolm Elliott with https://floridanauticalsurveyors.com/about-us/
You'll find threads with other recommendations.

You can expect lousy service especially from their Florida locations. Some better than others and while technically you can have routine engine service and such done anywhere, you're tied to them completely for boat service. That's why #1 is important.

So much dependent on your use of it. Start with bottom cleaning every 3 to 4 weeks depending on the season. Add in top cleaning regularly with periodic waxing. Then toss in a few thousand a year for engine and equipment maintenance, likely $10,000-30,000 when new. Add in annual or bi-annual bottom painting and prop and metal coating. Add in your tow membership as well.

Here is a performance chart on a 420 fly.
https://boattest.com/review/galeon/3618_420-fly

Half day $250-300 for captain and full day $400-500. However, just because the cruise is only 4 hours, doesn't mean that's all the crew works. Nor does it mean Captains are regularly available for half days.

As to stews or deck hands add another $100 or so for half day and $150-250 for full.

Don't take surveyor or insurance or other advice from a boat salesman. Find a professional marine insurance broker and talk to them. Find one you like and let them shop the market for you.

Why did you only consider boats sold by Marine Max? That's a rhetorical question only. You've chosen so go with it and enjoy.

The commission is built in wherever you buy, and there's a lot of boats other than Galeon. Quite frankly some things about those boats concern me greatly like all the glass and the fold down sides. These are gimmicks that definitely don't add to the strength of the boat.

Yes, and the sole dealer for the other boats you were considering. There are plenty of quality boats sold by others though. It just seemed to me you only mentioned Marine Max boats. Not at all saying your decision is bad, only wondering about your method of making it.

That said, the best of luck with your purchase. There are ways of dealing successfully with Marine Max. Just don't let their propaganda from sales and management control you. I'm sure they will object if you write contingent on survey into a purchase agreement and say it's not necessary. Well, one new boat we purchased some things were found and it took two men about 6 hours to fix them, but we wouldn't take delivery otherwise. Others who bought from the same builder had similar issues drag out for months. When they say, "Oh this is nothing, we can fix it for you sometime when you're in for service" the response is "If it's nothing, you can fix it right now." Several two or four hour jobs shouldn't be dragged out over 6 months.

A very common problem with some builders is a new boat not being propped right to achieve full rated RPM. They might dismiss it as only 100 RPM but it's on a lightly loaded boat compared to what it will be. It should achieve more than rated by a slight amount but definitely not less.

As to service elsewhere, boat issues can typically only be addressed by Marine Max. Equipment can be by anyone. Some Marina Max stores provide better service than others. Perhaps some of their customers can let you know which they are if you encounter issues.

Harris

Welcome - lots of good advice here already. My 2 cents is “kiss a lot of frogs” before you buy. To a new boater, 40’ sounds huge, and that is a nice boat, but get your wife involved because 40’ really limits options. For what you’ll spend there are a huge number of candidates to look at that could meet your needs... once you know them.

I am of the belief a boat is a chassis that is dependent on how well it is designed and maintained, not really how new it is- within reason. I also believe a yacht hits it’s sweet spot only after it’s been used to really get a sense is what you really need/use. New isn’t necessarily better; I’d prefer upgraded after use over new out of box.

Also-you finding the right mechanical support team may be better than using MM. It’s like a friend of mine moved into a “maintenance provided community” and he always complained about their lack of detail. I told him I lived in a “maintenance provided community” in that I hired the landscapers, the painters, the handymen I wanted to use. My advice is broaden your search with your wife aboard.

it’s too bad the in water boat shows have been limited during COVID- there is nobetter education than walking onto 10 different boats in a day to really get a sense of what is out there.

As a newbie, I originally thought a Beneteau Swift Trawler was my sweet spot; then I went to an in water TrawlerFest got on one after ask seeing a Krogen Express, a Fleming, a Great Harbour, a new and an old Grand Banks at the same show. I immediately understood the difference in design, layout, access, fit and finish....and the Beneteau dropped off my list

Not saying Galleons are bad- just saying you may find 40’ isnt big enough to take a Cap’n and friends. Or a stewardess. 40’ is a great day boat or single couple boat. For same price range you could find older, upgraded and very comfortable boats that may serve your needs.

Good luck finding your prince amidst the frogs. Keep us posted.

KoffeeCruising made several good points, but I'd like to emphasize one. 40'. I will guarantee that you will be in a 46' in 3 years, and that's another commission. Marine Max has the best sales people. 'It'll only cost you an extra $30 a month'. Add that to 3 year-itice and you'll be there. Looking around more and considering pre-owned could pay for your first couple years of cruising.

I know others are pushing you to pre-owned and financially it seems to make sense. That said, I only buy new vehicles and boats and keep them for a good while and come out with acceptable costs of ownership and by careful selection I have very, very few problems to deal with and am up and cruising immediately.

As to the 40' size vs. larger vs. larger vs. larger. My first boat was 17'. Was that a mistake? My next was 22'. A mistake? Then 24'. Mistake? Then 25'. Mistake? Then 30'. Mistake? Then 44' and 63' on same day. I don't think it's a mistake necessarily to start smaller and grow. However, for crossing Bahamas with a family, size does make a difference and 40' will restrict you to fewer windows. But then you might just use those days to cruise South Florida.

Keep in mind the 40' does only sleep 4 unless you either put another family in the salon of have your kids sleep on the sofa and floor in your room. Note, I didn't offer the option of the kids sleeping in the salon as no way I'd allow that with you below. It's a prescription for danger.

My personal favorite family boats in the 50' range are the Sunseeker Manhattan 52' and 55', the Princess F55 or F 50 (they do make an F45 as well). Within the Galeon line, you pick up sleeping accommodations with both the 42 and 46 if you don't want to go up to 50'.

Two other things I must point out. The Galeon 40 is really a 36' boat when measured by deck. Do you intend to try to carry a tender of any sort? Galeon tries to deceive with their labeling and base it on overall length including platforms and other. Sunseeker by comparison labels closer to deck length. Their 52 would be a 56 in Galeon language. Beneteau labels like Galeon.

One last totally irrelevant thing I must point out. Florida doesn't have a coast guard. Now, the US does but the course isn't offered by them. It's offered by the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Still you're to be applauded for taking it.

I too would only buy a new car or a new small boat, and for a yacht like your Westport definitely (not that I can afford that. lol). But my Harley was 8 years old with only 3,500 miles, and that's the big reason I'd always recommend pre-owned for mid sized yachts. They don't get any use and the amount you'll save is huge. Between markup and equipping the first owner lays out a lot that won't be counted when he sells it. Most production yachts also spend a lot of the first year getting the bugs out. That's a lot of time and expense. Put it all together and you could be talking $100K+ on an $800K boat. That pays for a lot of cruising.

Harris, all working your way up will do is cost you money in depreciation, profit and two more commissions. Running a 46 is easier than running a 40'. Everything is the same except that the 40 is lighter and more affected by wind, current and sea state. IOW less comfortable. The only caveat I'd make is stay below 50' because at that point you'll be required hire a captain. With a 46, same as with a 40, you'll be able to handle it by yourself after a few lessons, and then when you're ready for the 50 your insurance company shouldn't balk. Coming from a 40 they probably will. You can figure what hiring a captain for a year will add to your costs.

My mistake was the first boat being 44’, not only that but an old wooden Bermuda Racer Sailboat in the Virgin Islands. Worst case scenario.
Young, cocky and knew nothing but had a good time.
Being older and wiser now, what would I do if having the choice to start over again?

30’ boat and pay a friendly Instructor/Captain for a day or so, then go out and learn
on my own with the basics in my head:

1) Go very slow towards the dock.
2) Study the charts, look for reefs and shallows. Stay away from those.
3) Prop-walk is a good think, learn to use it and it is your friend for life.
4) Be humble, you will screw up sooner or later.
5) All of the above.