‘The space race continues’ declared Monegasque brand Wally last month as it unveiled the latest model – the spaceship-inspired wallywhy150 – to join the wallywhy range. 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 newly-introduced wallywhy150 has some innovative features. Here, we take a closer look at her design before the first unit is launched in February to make her world debut in spring 2023.
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 standing for the yacht’s gross tonnage. But here, hybrid does not refer to the yacht’s propulsion system, but rather the hybrid uses you can get from the yacht. “It’s a real crossover,” says Stefano de Vivo, Wally Managing Director. “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.”
“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,” continues de Vivo. "On paper, it's very different, in real life it's unbelievably different but in a good way,"
Big volume
When the wallywhy200 went on display at the 2021 Cannes Yachting Festival, its spacious credentials were easy to appreciate. The wallywhy200 offers up to 50% more living space compared to other yachts of her size by packing 200 GT into a 27-metre LOA. This impressive characteristic was one of the first to be copied and pasted 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 150 GT and added in some tailored and unique features to give her own identity,” says De Vivo.
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 one of the highest headroom in her class, at 2.5 metres. “Most importantly, we have maximised and optimised her exterior spaces as much as possible – they are absolutely enormous and totally unique for her size in the industry,” says Bassani.
Indoor-outdoor connection
Enjoying the outdoor environment while on the water is one of the main attractions of the yachting lifestyle. To give her owners and guests as much outdoor space and 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 design of the main deck keeps guests close to the water, as the full-beam interior saloon is on the same level as the cockpit down to sea level. 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 full wrap-around glass on the main deck – the owner’s suite, in particular, takes full advantage of the abundant glass and the wallywhy150 will be the first yacht in its size range to exhibit this feature. “The wallywhy150 is an industry paradigm-shifting project and serves as yet another example of Wally being ahead of its time, setting new standards in yacht design,” says de Vivo.
Future-proof features
In true innovator style, Wally created the original wallywhy platform with open-plan contemporary living areas that elevate the experience of being on board. For example, the full-beam forward owner’s cabin offers 270-degree views. For the wallywhy150, this owner’s suite will be accompanied by an additional three lower-deck staterooms, while on the same deck, the four crew members are given two large forward cabins. 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.
Similar to her sistership, the wallywhy150’s engine package is the choice of her owner. With three IPS1350 engines, she will be able to reach a maximum speed of 23 knots, or with the standard propulsion package that consists of three IPS1200 engines, that speed is reduced slightly to 21 knots.
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