-
Guests
12
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Cabins
5
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Crew
11
| Length | GT | Built (REFIT) |
|---|---|---|
|
181' 1"
|
726 GT | 2011 (2026) |
| Beam | Draft | Top Speed |
| 33' 10" | 11' 6" | 16 Kts |
Delivered in 2011, Galileo is an award winning 55.2m expedition yacht for sale built by Italian shipyard Picchiotti. The yacht's elegant exterior design is by Vitruvius, while her interiors are the work of Perini Navi.
Key Features
- Full-beam owner's apartment
- Main deck gym
- AMS Ice Class IB hull
- Range of 9,000 nautical miles
- Two tender garages
- Dive and surf lazarette
Design & Construction
Designed around a displacement ice class steel hull and an aluminium superstructure she features a 10.3m beam and a 3.5m draft. The yacht has an internal volume of 726 GT (Gross Tonnes).
Construction started in late 2008 with the keel laid under the project name 'Vitruvius Explorer 55m'. Launched in July 2011 this yacht undertook sea trials over the following months. She was delivered to her owners in October 2011.
Exterior Design
The 55m (180.4ft) Galileo was designed by Philippe Briand and built by Perini Navi Group under the Picchiotti Vitruvius series, with a profile that blends expedition capability with restrained, almost sailing-yacht proportions. The long waterline, narrow beam and clipper bow give the yacht a leaner appearance than most explorer yachts of similar volume, while the black steel hull and white aluminium superstructure sharpen the contrast further.
Her AMS Ice Class IB hull was developed for serious cold-weather cruising, including transit through Canada’s Northwest Passage. The bow structure incorporates reinforced plating and closely spaced longitudinal stringers to withstand heavy ice pressure, while practical details such as heated deck gear, heated drains and heated bridge glazing help prevent freezing in polar conditions. A solid wave breaker bisects the foredeck and the flush deck arrangement reduces the risk of ice and spray collecting around fittings.
Galileo’s upper deck carries one of the yacht’s signature design details: curved wraparound glazing that stretches around the skylounge and wheelhouse. The effect softens the superstructure visually while also bringing substantial natural light into the upper deck spaces. Wide side decks and a Portuguese bridge create safe circulation in rougher conditions, and the raised foredeck above the owner’s suite provides space for freestanding loungers and relaxed seating arrangements.
The aft sections focus on practicality as much as guest use. The sheltered aft cockpit can be enclosed in poor weather, while the rebuilt lazarette from the 2023 refit improves access to dive gear, surf equipment and gym equipment. Tender storage is spread across dedicated garages, including space for a custom 9.5m (31ft) Zodiac Hurricane RIB with reinforced aluminium hull construction, alongside rescue tenders and additional toys.
Further explorer-focused systems include FarSounder sonar mounted in the bow, reinforced Nibral propellers, ice knives fitted to the rudders and a powerful Naiad bow thruster designed for manoeuvring around ice floes and tight anchorages alike. Despite all of this engineering, Galileo avoids the heavy industrial look common in explorer yachts and keeps a clean, balanced profile underway.
Interior Design
Galileo’s interior combines traditional yacht detailing with a calmer, more contemporary feel than many classic expedition yachts. The design was developed by Bernardo Chichi in collaboration with Paolo Genta and Umberto Fossati, with dark mahogany joinery, wenge accents and restrained detailing used throughout the guest spaces.
The main deck is arranged around comfortable social living rather than formal separation. A large saloon flows into the dining area, while an informal breakfast room beside the galley creates a more relaxed space for day-to-day use onboard. Large windows throughout the yacht prevent the darker wood finishes from feeling enclosed, and the curved glazing on the upper deck introduces even more natural light into the skylounge and wheelhouse areas.
Decor details take influence from the owner’s travels and exploration interests, including underwater photography displays and subtle Indonesian references within the furnishings and styling. The atmosphere feels warm and understated rather than heavily decorative, which suits the yacht’s long-range brief.
A gym on the main deck adds flexibility to the layout and can convert into an additional guest cabin if required. Elsewhere, the wheelhouse carries advanced Sperry Marine navigation and monitoring systems, integrated into a space that still feels connected to the guest areas through the wraparound glass design.
Noise and vibration control were major parts of the engineering brief, particularly for long passages. Extensive insulation throughout the hull and guest spaces helps maintain low sound levels underway, even during extended ocean crossings.
Accommodation
Galileo accommodates up to 12 guests across six cabins, with the layout designed to support long-range private cruising in comfort. The full-beam owner’s apartment occupies a privileged position and includes a private study, bedroom, dressing room and en suite bathroom. Large windows and the raised foredeck above help bring natural light into the suite while preserving privacy.
Guest accommodation is arranged mainly on the lower deck, where four spacious guest cabins sit amidships for improved comfort underway. Cabin themes reportedly draw inspiration from travel and nature, including references to marine life and landscapes explored by the yacht during her extensive cruising history.
A flexible additional cabin arrangement comes from the main deck gym space, which can convert into another guest cabin when required. This gives the yacht greater adaptability for charter use or larger family groups.
Crew accommodation is extensive and occupies more than a third of the lower deck, allowing space for up to 12 crew members.
Performance & Capabilities
Powered by twin diesel Caterpillar (3512C) 1,573hp engines, motor yacht Galileo is capable of reaching a top speed of 16 knots, and comfortably cruises at 12 knots. With her 150,000 litre fuel tanks she has a maximum range of 9,000 nautical miles at 11 knots.
Galileo Yacht is For Sale
Galileo is currently on the market for sale with an asking price of €25,750,000 EUR.
If you're the yacht owner, broker, or captain, please use the "Update Sales Info" link to report any changes to the sales information. Update Sales Info
