How the Yacht Galma Grabs Attention and Doesn’t Let Go: Megayacht News Onboard

Wally has been blazing a decidedly different performance-sailing trail since first shaking up the market 30 years ago. Founder and chief designer Luca Bassani also has a knack for knowing what sailing enthusiasts want before they do. Wally’s iconic minimalistic lines belie boats built for slick sailing, whether for pleasure or racing or a bit of both. With the wallywind110 series, Bassani set his sights on spirited sailing with ample interior space akin to larger yachts. This galvanized the owner of the yacht Galma not only to commission her, but also into quick action upon delivery. In just six months’ time, he and his crew put an extraordinary 3,600 nautical miles under her hull.

the Wally wallywind110 yacht Galma — PHOTO: Gilles Martin-Raget

Debuting at the Monaco Yacht Show this past September, the wallywind110 is the first model in the wallywind series. The range spans sizes from 110 to 150 feet (about 33 to 46 meters) blending high performance with creature comforts of bigger craft. It wasn’t hard to convince the owner of the yacht Galma to step up. He’d already enjoyed extensive sailing aboard two other Wallys, most recently a Wally 94 (29-meter). “Our boss loves sailing, and he likes to push the boat hard,” her captain explains.

Galma cockpit, a.k.a. terrace on the sea — PHOTO: Gilles Martin-Raget

Of course, it further helped that the wallywind110 series offers amenities the 94 didn’t. Simultaneously, the series offers comforts that similar-length sailing superyachts don’t. For instance, the cockpit is upwards of 861 square feet (80 square meters) entirely for leisure. Neither the seating arrangements nor dining space—arranged as each owner so wishes—interferes with sail handling, which is aft. Additionally, the gorgeously wood-clad space is all one level, not recessed, fully to the aft edge of sunpads.

Wally wallywind110 Galma — PHOTO: Gilles Martin-Raget

What you don’t see is just as important. The owner of the yacht Galma has refrigerators tucked out of sight, so no one needs to head below decks. Additionally, massive stowage lies beneath the sunpads. “It’s kind of a yacht chandler,” Bassani jokes, as he presses the button to raise the hatch. Inside is fishing gear, enough pillows to fill a studio apartment in New York, an awning, and more.

Clearly, between this and her first six months in the water, the yacht Galma is a constant mover. Judel/Vrolijk & Co. designed her hull specifically for this type of use with a small crew. Bassani knows first-hand how she’s performed as well. He’s sailed with the owner, his wife, and their four-person crew. Some days, “they were doing the same speed of the wind, 15 or 16 knots,” he says. “And in 8 knots, they were doing 10 knots, fast enough to enjoy sailing and to have fun.” The captain agrees. “We sail a lot, because as soon as there are 7 or 8 knots of wind, the boat is faster and more fun.”

Wally wallywind110 Galma saloon — PHOTO: Toni Meneguzzo

That fun further comes from 15 feet (4.5 meters) of draft with the standard fixed keel combining with 6,835 square feet (635 square meters) of upwind sail area. Future wallywind110 buyers more interested in racing, though, have options, too. They’ll especially like 13,950 square feet (1,296 square meters) of downwind sail area. Still, pure cruising is never boring. “I’m in love with the boat,” Galma’s captain says. “From day one, I knew this was going to be a good boat, and when we started sailing, I was very impressed. The previous boat was already stunning, but the changes to this one, wow.”

While the wallywind110’s performance makes it hard to leave the deck, there’s good excuse to enter the saloon—a raised-deck design that itself looks nearly flush. Galma’s owner has arguably one of the most well-stocked bars you’ll find afloat. Lightheartedly, her crew say it’s why she displaces nearly 80 tons. Smart space planning, including positioning the engines and equipment beneath the saloon, abounds. This allows for four staterooms, but future wallywind110 series buyers can opt for three. Interestingly, Galma has a forward—not aft—master. While you might question the compromise on floorspace, there’s a compelling argument for it. “You don’t have people walking on your head,” Bassani notes, referring to the cockpit. “I always loved this situation,” he continues. “He loved this. Actually, on his last Wally, he had a very wide cabin aft, but this time for those reasons he wanted to have the cabin forward.”

master suite on Galma — PHOTO: Toni Meneguzzo

Headroom is more than enough for a 6’2” (1.9-meter) adult to feel comfortable, too. Well-proportioned ports and skylights brighten the interior as well, highlighting the naturally pale woods and fabrics. Of course, carbon fiber detailing amid the soft aesthetic touches—from Bassani and the Santa Maria Magnolfi studio—reminds you that you’re aboard a performer at heart.

twin cabin aboard Galma — PHOTO: Toni Meneguzzo

Hull number two of the wallywind110 series is in build, on spec, still with enough time for a buyer to tailor her. Bassani sees potential in a market that other sailing builders don’t: motoryacht owners. Indeed, he believes the model appeals to someone “willing to make the jump to over-100-foot sustainable sailing yachts, in order to get the extra comforts of four guest cabins and three crew cabins,” he says. “The ideal owner will be in their 40s or 50s, have a family who enjoys cruising throughout the summer, but also participating in one or two regattas a year with his or her friends.”