Following months of negotiations, Wally has become part of the Ferretti Group.
Based in Monaco, Wally is the brainchild of Luca Bassani, an avid yachtsman. He has designed all of the yachts since he established the builder in 1994. Since that time, it has launched nearly 50 sailing yachts—all sailing superyachts. It also has launched more than 120 powerboats and motoryachts. The latter includes a mix of tenders and megayachts.
To say that Wally has long taken a different approach is an understatement. In an era where motoryachts in particular were quite rounded, a.k.a. “Euro-style,” Wally burst onto the scene with sharply angular yachts. Its sailing yachts, too, featured dramatic angles. The differences weren’t solely aesthetic, either. For instance, premiering in 2012, the Wallyace series, which celebrated its fourth delivery, Private GG, last year, comprises long-range cruising motoryachts burning less fuel and having more volume than similar displacement offerings in the marketplace.
Then there are the Wally Class racing yachts, such as the WallyCento yachts. The “cento” part of the name refers to the LOA, just shy of 100 feet. WallyCento is conceived around the Wally box rule. These are specific parameters involving length, beam, displacement, and more to get the best performance. Wally determined an LOA of 98’4” to 99’10” (30 meters to 30.48 meters, respectively) is ideal, as is a beam between 21’3” and 23’6” (6.5 and 7.2 meters). Furthermore, displacement should be 45 to 50 tons, and draft should remain between about 15 and 20 feet (4.5 and 6.2 meters), depending on whether the yacht employs a fixed or lifting keel.
Yet another series for Wally is the Wallytender. The 48 Wallytender (above) is the newest, premiering at this week’s Düsseldorf boat show.
Ferretti Group’s acquisition, of the Wally license, will see significant investments, particularly to develop new yacht models. Ferretti Group’s shipyards, including the Super Yacht Yard, will handle all construction. (Wally previously worked with different shipyards for construction, but always branded the yachts under its own name.) In fact, Ferretti Group pledges to invest €70 million (approximately $80 million) between this year and next, with at least an additional €14 million (approximately $16 million) by 2022.
Bassani welcomes the investment. “Ferretti Group has great industrial, organizational, and commercial capabilities and will be able to boost Wally.” He adds, “I will continue my design and development activity on an exclusive basis, ensuring the continuity of Wally’s DNA.”
Alberto Galassi, Ferretti Group’s CEO, has a personal, as well as professional, reason to feel pleased. “As a yachting enthusiast, I’m looking forward to discover the boats that will come from the exclusive collaboration with Luca Bassani.” He continues, “It is easy to foresee that they will push the frontiers of innovation and aesthetic avant-garde to a new echelon.”
Leave a Reply