As long ago as 1991, visionary yachtsman and Wally founder Luca Bassani was already considering the twin personalities of yachting. In the 25.3-metre Wallygator, he built the first cruising yacht with a carbon mast, a boat that would not only allow a family to sail in comfort but also had the performance capabilities of a maxi.
Fast forward 32 years, and those two guiding principles can be found at the heart of Wally’s latest sailing yacht, the wallywind110 – a 33.4-metre cruiser-racer, which Wally promises can cross any ocean with up to eight guests in the utmost comfort, entertain at anchor for days on end and yet also thrill spectators and sailors alike in a regatta.
“The wallywind110 is a very powerful yet smooth long-distance cruising machine – but one that could become a serious challenger in a race – if you felt so inclined,” says Wally managing director Stefano de Vivo.
Judel/vrolijk, the studio behind some of the fastest sloops in the world, including 44.6- metre Path and the 55-metre Pink Gin VI, are behind the naval architecture, while Wally worked with Milan-based studio Santa Maria Magnolfi on the elegant, clean and extremely streamlined exterior and interior design.
A standout feature is the vast expanse of clear, modern and minimalist deck. “The 110 is a true hybrid because it offers the volumes and comforts of a deckhouse yacht, but with a flush-deck that offers the spirit and the performance of a racing boat,” says Wally founder and chief designer Luca Bassani. “The raised bulwarks do the job of disguising the fact that this is a raised saloon yacht, with the engine room beneath the floor. That means all the advantages of the layout, without the compromised aesthetics.”
In cruising mode, this offers enormous advantages, not least a huge 80-square-metre cockpit that stretches the full width of the 7.6-metre beam and is twice the size of cockpits on yachts of this length. That’s not to say it’s overly exposed, though – there’s no coaming at all, but the curved coachroof provides protection for sunbathing from a breeze at anchor, while the aft deck is deep and sheltered.
When set up for cruising, seating and sunpads provide multiple options for relaxing, while there is space for up to 15 to dine al fresco. All deck furniture is removable – except for the twin carbon helms and crew cockpit – and sheets run under the deck, and winches and standing rigging are positioned out of the way to allow maximum enjoyment of all of the space. A garage beneath the cockpit for a 4-metre tender keeps the transom clear for swimmers, and there’s an easily accessible, multifunction ladder that can be used as both a bathing ladder and gangway.
Below, the wallywind110 has two layout alternatives, depending on owner preference. The three-cabin performance features a full-beam master suite forward, plus two twin guest cabins, both with en-suites, aft of the saloon. Numerous layouts are possible for the owners’ cabin, including walk-in wardrobes, separate his and hers bathrooms and relaxed seating.
The four-cabin standard layout sacrifices some of the space in the master while still remaining generous but allows an extra twin guest just forward of the mast, so that this configuration sleeps eight guests. Accommodation for four crew is at the back of the boat, beyond the galley, with a separate cabin for the captain.
In both wallywind110 configurations, the huge open-plan full-beam midships saloon, with sofas for relaxing, large table for dining and space for working, is bright and airy, thanks to a skylight that runs the full length of the low-profile coachroof above, plus hatches and hull windows that allow sunlight to flood in. For its initial design, Wally and Santa Maria Magnolfi opted for a sporty whitewashed interior with lots of carbon detailing, but the finish is the owner’s choice.
In racing mode, the wallywind110 becomes a lean, mean, fighting machine. Naturally, her super-lightweight all-carbon lay-up, which draws on the world-class quality of Wally’s expert laminators, is of huge advantage here, as are her clean lines.
Wally’s eye for technology comes to the fore, with a high-performance Hall Spars and Future Fibres ECsix carbon rig and the choice of three keel types: a fixed 4.5-metre, a telescopic version that extends to 6.95 metres or retracts to 4.5 metres, or a high-tech lifting keel that lifts to 4.5 metres or drops to 6.8 metres, offering excellent stability. The famous Magic Trim system – now widely adopted outside of Wally – trims main and jib sheets hydraulically.
Harking back to the days of big yacht racing, every seat, sunbed, lounger and table on deck can be removed and stored ashore while racing to reduce weight. Additionally, the lightweight lithium-ion batteries, furniture construction, and electrical equipment further minimise weight for optimal racing conditions. This attention to detail, plus an impressive 40% ballast-to-weight ratio – she comes in at just under 70 tonnes – gives her genuine race pedigree.
With her dual personalities encompassing high-speed performance, streamlined design, luxurious attributes and long-distance bluewater capability, it is natural for de Vivo to liken the wallywind110 to a Grand Tourer car. “The boat is ideal for an experienced sailor, maybe someone who has had boats in the 60-80ft range and is now willing to make the jump to the 100ft size range to get the extra comforts,” he says.
The first wallywind110 hull has been sold, with the vast hull mould already under construction, and delivery is due in May 2024. The 40-metre wallywind130 and 45.7-metre wallywind150 will follow. These boats are for owners who are “passionate about sailing and the sea,” adds de Vivo. “The boats will appeal to young people who want performance and who really connect with Wally’s brand values.”
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