How the WiderCat 92 Design Shakes Up Conventional Catamarans: Megayacht News Onboard

“The project started as a visionary journey,” explains Marcello Maggi, president of W-Fin (the holding company of Wider), about the WiderCat 92. “Yacht designer Luca Dini arrived at the shipyard with some drawings inspired by Leonardo’s (DaVinci’s) sketches. It was nothing short of futuristic. From there, we did a lot of chisel work to obtain a catamaran with seductive lines.”

Maggi speaks about the making of the WiderCat 92 with enthusiasm. “The idea was to revolutionize the typically ‘boxy’ catamaran segment to create something with sportier, eye-catching lines, close to the yachting world.” The first yacht in the WiderCat series—which premiered at this year’s Venice Boat Show in Italy, where we visited her, and then at the Cannes Yachting Festival, where we took a second look—is a significant achievement for the shipyard.

Luca Dini Design and Wider Centro Stile give the WiderCat 92 a harmonious fusion of beauty and functionality to support innovation. All Wider yachts have a strong focus on reducing fuel consumption. In fact, the shipyard is a pioneer of serial hybrid propulsion onboard luxury yachts. This catamaran is a remarkable combination of hybrid and solar technology. Specifically, twin 500-kW electric motors power thrusters for propulsion, while two 349-kW variable-speed gensets produce electricity for a battery bank. The gensets run at minimal power consumption, while a battery-management system monitors electricial needs and balances loads. Additionally, 1,615 square feet (150 square meters) of solar panels support operations at anchor.

As for the WiderCat 92 design, what impressed us the most was the use of space and the integration of outdoor and indoor spaces. “The challenge on this motoryacht was to bring the content and comfort of a megayacht to a boat under 24 meters,” Maggi says, “We realized nowadays that there is a strong demand for catamarans due to their implied increase in living space.” Dini agrees, adding, “at the studio, we were thrilled to enter the world of catamarans.” That said, however, they wanted to make them more glamorous and head-turninng. “I’ve always seen the catamaran as the prerogative of sailors,” he continues, “a square in the middle of the sea, something that was comfortable but with no aesthetic at all.” By contrast, the WiderCat 92 shape is modern, aggressive, and sporty. Furthermore, an external stroke of orange highlights the design—and defines the Wider brand.

Rationality is at the base of the interior layout, which differs from any other catamaran approaching this size. Acali, hull one, features two generous VIP cabins and a twin cabin below deck. (A four-cabin option is available, too.) The owner’s suite occupies nearly half of the main deck. It includes the sleeping area and a private foredeck lounge. “I think that it is the first catamaran to have a real huge and comfortable owner’s cabin,” Dini says. He additionally points out how the outdoor access allows owners to walk all the way around the yacht. “I think it is a unique possibility, stepping out onto a balcony and enjoying the external area,” he continues, instead of having an uncomfortable and unusable net. “I’m particularly proud of that!”

the WiderCat Acali saloon and dining area

The colorful, light blue and green interiors complement the contemporary styling. Notably, the parquet floor is a special type of wood, Perigal Ottanio by Listone Giordano. This is the first installation on a yacht, according to Dini. “Its particular shade of green is meant to give continuity between exteriors and interiors, as if the shades of the sea would enter the yacht and make the boundary between boat and nature fluid,” he says. Of course, the studio chose everything with the owners: “The aim was to create a boat for a young couple who wanted to experience the sea with the joy of materials,” Dini explains. Natural materials like teak and oak blend with metallic finishes and marbles, both of which add further distinctive colors. From the woods to the mirrors and marbles, everything creates cozy environments with contemporary lines.

Despite all of the remarkable features so far, the WiderCat 92 is not done surprising yet. The tender garage boasts a hatch that transforms into an expansive swim platform, for instance. Fold-down bulwarks aft enrich the generous beach club—additionally accessible from the VIP cabins. Simultaneously, they discretely conceal stowage compartments for watertoys. This innovative design ensures that the WiderCat 92 enhances the overall seafaring pleasure.

Just as Maggi enthusiastically recalls the origins of the WiderCat 92, he’s as excited about the future. “Each designer, engineer, and craftsman has poured their passion into this endeavor,” he says. “We are confident that the WiderCat 92 will set a new standard in the industry.”

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