The countdown has begun to lift-off of the latest model to join Wally’s wallywhy range – the spaceship-inspired wallywhy150, which is set to make its world debut next month.
“The space race continues,” declared the Monaco-based brand when it first released details of the full-wide-body 24-metre. The description is as fitting of the new yacht’s futuristic design as it is of Wally’s innovative use of all 150 gross tonnes of volume to offer ceiling heights akin to those on an 80-metre yacht, for example, and upper deck space like that found on a 40-metre.
“The wallywhy150 serves as yet another example of Wally being ahead of its time, setting new standards in yacht design,” says Stefano de Vivo, Wally’s managing director. “[It is] an industry paradigm-shifting project”.
The range was born after the introductory model, the 27-metre wallywhy200, was brought to the market in a game-changing move instigated by Wally’s founder and chief designer Luca Bassani, Wally and Ferretti Group teams.
Just like the wallywhy200, the wallywhy150 has some innovative features. Here, we take a closer look at her design before her world debut at the Salone Nautico di Venezia next month (31 May 31 – 4 June).
Fully-fledged series
The name of the range was formed with the "‘w" standing for Wally, the "h" for hybrid and the "y" for yacht, and the 150 meaning the yacht’s gross tonnage. Here, "hybrid" refers not to propulsion but to the hybrid uses owners can get from the wallywhy150. “It’s a real crossover,” says de Vivo. “It’s more than just a semi-displacement yacht, it’s a semi-explorer and a semi-fly. And its living spaces are like a semi loft.”
The simplicity and accessibility of the wallywhy150’s layout will appeal to owners who are increasingly looking to have adventures and explore, says Bassani. “It offers the ultimate flexible platform for those looking to expand the horizon of traditional planing-craft usage.”
“This design has proven to optimise the costs of running and berthing, while still providing the space and volume benefits of a much larger vessel thanks to its innovative full-wide-body design,” de Vivo adds. “It’s unbelievably different but in a good way.”
Big volume
The wallywhy200 offers up to 50 per cent more living space compared to other yachts of her size by packing 200GT into a 27-metre LOA. This impressive characteristic was carried over into the design for her smaller sistership. “We were asked to offer the same characteristics of this breakthrough model in a smaller size. We decided to develop this model to be 24 metres in length and 150GT and added in some tailored and unique features to give her own identity,” says de Vivo, unveiling further details at the 2022 Cannes Yachting Festival.
Behind the design was Wally-Ferretti Group Engineering and interior designers from Studio A. Vallicelli & C. The team devised the wallywhy150 with “unparalleled levels of headroom”, particularly in the main saloon, where a curved ceiling gives the yacht 2.5 metres of overhead clearance – the most ever in this class and a level “usually found in an 80-metre yacht”, says de Vivo.
Indoor-outdoor connection
Enjoying the outdoor environment while on the water is one of the main attractions of the yachting lifestyle. On the wallywhy150, almost the full length of the boat is outside. “The exterior areas are absolutely huge and are unmatched for her size,” says de Vivo. “The upper deck is completely open, giving you an enormous amount of protected space on top which is equivalent to what you would see on a 40-metre yacht.”
To foster a strong connection to the sea with as much freedom as possible, Wally has given the wallywhy150 an exterior sundeck, main deck aft and beach club area.
The sundeck comes complete with a dining area, a bar, a kitchen with a grill station and fridges. The innovative design of the main deck keeps guests close to the water, with everything on one level. “This is the first vessel with direct access to the sea at cockpit level with no stairs necessary,” says Bassani. “It is effectively a floating loft on the water.” Here, everyone on board can enjoy their environment while being protected from the sun, wind and rain thanks to the extended pillarless overhang above the main deck aft and flanking glass panels.
Another way in which the wallywhy150 keeps her users connected to the outdoors is through the use of wrap-around floor-to-ceiling glass – she is the first yacht in this size range to exhibit this feature. “When guests are sitting on the sofa or at the dining table, they will still feel in close contact with the natural environment,” says de Vivo. “Using so much glass obviously presented our engineers with numerous technical challenges, but you have to be brave enough to push the boundaries and shift existing design parameters.”
Freedom to choose
In true innovator style, Wally created the original wallywhy platform with open-plan contemporary living areas that elevate the experience of being on board. Taking advantage of the yacht’s unusually high bow, the full-beam owner’s cabin is – unusually for a yacht of this size – placed forward on the main deck to create what Wally calls an “amphitheatre of the sea”, with stunning 270-degree views. Additional accommodation for guests and crew is found on the wallywhy150’s lower deck, which can either be configured in a two-VIP layout or one VIP and a guest cabin – all with an airy and modern feel afforded by the huge windows. This formation is versatile enough for families, couples or charter guests. “Through the wallywhy150, we are challenging preconceived notions of what a yacht should be and how it can be used. It is a platform that can be enjoyed by the whole family or groups of friends, without compromise,” says de Vivo.
Versatility is also found on the aft deck. Owners can outfit this large, unencumbered area as they prefer, perhaps to bring toys on board or to house a large 3.95-metre tender. And choice continues into the engine room: similar to her sistership, the wallywhy150’s engine package provides options. Three IPS1350 engines will hit a maximum speed of 23 knots, or the standard propulsion package of three IPS1200 engines will achieve 21 knots.
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