On a crisp winter morning, Bruce Hastie from Argo Yachting welcomes Tony Castro aboard to discuss his approach to making Galeon Yachts so unique.
How did you first get involved with Galeon Yachts?
It all started at the Southampton Boat Show in September 2000. A new English Galeon dealer was exhibiting small six-meter boats, and people kept asking for advice. The dealer, who knew me, called me up and introduced me to the original company owners, a father-and-son team. We had a discussion that afternoon, and that’s how it all began. Now, 24 years later, I’m still involved.
It sounds like a fascinating journey…
Absolutely. We started from nothing, so it has been incredibly rewarding. Beyond design, I’ve helped guide the boat builders in making the right decisions. Over time, they’ve learned a lot about the market and boat construction, and we’ve built a strong relationship.
The founder had a background in the Merchant Navy, which gave him deep knowledge of the sea. He was always clear about his responsibility to build strong, safe boats. That foundation made working with them very appealing, and I was able to introduce new ideas along the way.
What was the biggest boat Galeon were building when you joined in 2000?
They were making six- or seven-meter day boats. However, they had already built around 4,000 boats for the French brand Jeanneau. This meant they had a well-trained workforce with solid craftsmanship skills, which I saw as a great advantage.
Very quickly, they mastered what we call the ‘fit and finish’ of a boat, producing high-quality products that offered great value for money. Today, I focus primarily on design, and they are always open to innovation - even my crazier ideas! Unlike many builders, they don’t start by worrying about cost. They simply set out to create the best boat possible, like their 56-footer. Their success comes from their openness to new ideas and the dedication of their workforce in making those ideas a reality.
How does the design process work?
I work mainly with Jasek, the son of the original owner. Everything starts with pencil sketches and initial ideas. Since the company has grown significantly, we now consider how each new model fits within the existing lineup. Market research helps determine whether a boat should be two feet bigger or smaller, what features it needs, and how it compares to competitors. From there, the design evolves into more detailed plans.
How long does it take to develop a new boat?
Typically, about a year and a half - pretty fast in this industry. And I’ve never had fewer than three projects running at the same time, sometimes more. There’s always plenty happening!
