Tantalising images and the first details of Wally's brand new wallywind range are at last being made public. The three sailing boat models range from 110ft LOA up to 150ft aim to completely redefine the possibilities for owners interested in blistering performance allied to long-range cruising comfort.
Building work has already begun on the first unit of the wallywind110, scheduled to be launched in May 2024. She will sport a full carbon hull drawing on the world-class quality of Wally's expert laminators, who have always been at the forefront of exploiting this sophisticated technology. Just as importantly, she features Wally's simplified sail handling system, which has proven itself over time and is now widely adopted by the whole industry.
The project once again unites Wally know-how with naval architecture by judel/vrolijk & co, the studio that has signed some of the fastest sloops on the water today. The fruit of this collaboration is a boat whose lines display Wally's characteristic simplicity and elegance, while offering beguiling pace and stability.
"The wallywind110 is the equivalent of the Grand Touring car in the automotive world," says Wally Managing Director Stefano de Vivo. "It 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. 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."
Founder and Chief Designer Luca Bassani confirms: "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. 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."
Representing a restatement of Wally's founding values, the boat provides an incredibly capable bluewater cruising platform capable of competing at the highest level of sporting endeavour. This is a yacht that can cross any ocean with up to four couples in the utmost comfort, entertain at anchor for days on end and yet thrill spectators and sailors alike in a regatta.
Technology always remains close to Wally's heart, where it can add real value to the sailing experience. Besides the full carbon lay-up, there is a high-performance carbon rig and the choice of three keel types: a fixed 4.5m keel, a 3.95-6.10 m telescopic keel or a high-tech 4.50-6.80 m lifting keel. Not for nothing does this boat have an impressive 40% ballast to weight ratio.
Other technical highlights include the use of lightweight lithium-ion batteries and auxiliary equipment, multiple high-pressure hydraulic pumps for maximum redundancy, and a low-profile twin rudder set-up. Naturally, the wallywind110 also features Wally's underwater anchoring system, and famous Magic Trim hydraulic system for the main and jib sheets.
Room to customise
With its purist lines, this boat offers abundant social space. The huge 80sqm cockpit is on a single level and fills the full beam of the boat, up to the deep, safe bulwark – there is no coaming at all. This alone is twice the size of cockpits in other boats of this length. Layout is completely customisable, with seating and dining for up to 15 people. Just the twin carbon wheels and the crew companionway are fixed.
One of the most appealing design elements is the removable deck furniture, which harks back to the heyday of big yacht racing. Every seat, sunbed, lounger and table can be removed and kept ashore to ready the wallywind110 for racing. Of course, the design is quintessential Wally, right down to the famous 'terrace on the sea' – a deep, sheltered aft deck.
And there's even a huge tender compartment hidden beneath this deck, capable of harbouring a boat up to 4m long. This keeps the transom clear for swimmers, where a hydraulic bathing ladder can completely retract into the hull.
The story continues below. With the engine room tucked away below the saloon, the stage is set for a huge open-plan space that combines dining, lounging and even working in style. A single skylight runs the full length of the low-profile coachroof, while hatches and hull windows all combine to turn this into a sun-soaked living area.
Numerous layouts are possible for the luxurious owner's cabin forward, including walk-in wardrobes, separate his and hers bathrooms and relaxed seating. There are up to three further guest cabins, plus two more for crew and a further Captain's cabin. Finish is naturally a decision for the owner, but Wally is proposing a sporty whitewashed wooden interior with lots of carbon detailing.
The two larger boats in the wallywind range are the 130 and 150. The first of these yachts is suited to an owner with experience of boats around the 100ft mark, but who wants a little more space. It has a deckhouse offering a true raised saloon area that spans the divide between indoors and out.
And the 150ft flagship of the wallywind range breaks entirely new ground for sailing superyachts. There is no other builder in the world with such experience of producing a yacht of this size in full carbon fibre, which will give the 150 a real advantage in light airs. Where other boats need 12 knots-plus of wind to hoist the sails, the wallywind150 can do so in just 6-7 knots, thanks to its exceptionally light displacement.
"The 130 and 150 are clearly for owners who wish to take long cruises in any sea in the world, on a boat that offers not only comfort and a high degree of service, but also exceptional performance," says Stefano de Vivo. "They are therefore passionate about sailing and the sea. The boats will also appeal to young people who want performance and who really connect with Wally's brand values."