You should have a wakesurf board now, I suddenly think, as I look out of the saloon at the stern of the brand new Wally WHY200, which is making a big turn across the Golfe de la Napoule during our three-hour test ride and is obviously just about to leave its own wave system to switch to planing mode. As with many semi-gliders, the wave hump to be overcome on the WHY200, which has been developed from scratch, is surprisingly high, but also perfectly shaped. An appealingly steep wave around 1.50 metres high opens up on both sides, making the surfer and wakesurfer in me rejoice in equal measure. Of course, there's no surfboard to be found, and I don't have the time for this kind of sporting gimmick during a test ride. After about a minute, the wave magic is over anyway, and the 118-tonne displacement bolide rushes towards the south side of Île Sainte-Marguerite off Cannes at a top speed of 23 knots and a flat stern sea, where we can take a detailed look around the new yacht in the company of Wally founder Luca Bassani and managing director Stefano de Vivo.
But first a question must be asked: Why WHY? "Why WHY? That's easy to answer," replies Wally mastermind Luca Bassani in good humour at his little play on words. "WHY doesn't stand for the 58-metre-long Wally Hermès yacht that we presented in 2009, but for Wally Hybrid Yacht." However, the "hybrid" does not simply refer to the propulsion package, as is usual in the industry, but is intended to describe the fusion of different hull and utilisation concepts. Wally manager Stefano de Vivo adds: "The WHY200 presents a new type of yacht: together with designer Laurent Giles, our engineers developed a completely new hull that functions perfectly both in slow displacement sailing and in planing mode."
A 4.70 metre high stem opened up new possibilities
Naturally, the new model was also intended to fit in with the existing model portfolio of the brand, which is known for its innovative concepts. Standing out visually and not sticking to familiar styling rules has always been the aim of Luca Bassani, whose designs and unusual ideas are certainly among the most copied in the industry. However, it is not only design aspects that are at the top of Wally's list of priorities; purely nautical aspects must also satisfy Bassani's strict eye and mind one hundred per cent. "During the lengthy development of the WHY200, we attached great importance to the best possible stability and outstanding seakeeping characteristics." Together with the British designer Laurent Giles, the exceptionally wide hull with a width of 7.66 metres was created with sharp hull edges in the massive bow section, which rises to a massive 4.70 metres and gives the new model its beefy look.
Underway, it feels as if you are flying over the sea in the fully glazed bow suite
"The height and shape of the Stevens suddenly gave us completely new possibilities," enthuses Luca Bassani. "So we sat down together and thought about what we wanted to do with this fantastic space at the front of the boat." In line with a design philosophy that aims to unite form and function through a distinctive and recognisable appearance on the one hand, and to guarantee an unparalleled yachting experience in harmony with the sea on the other, the design team decided to fill the stern with a master suite that is second to none. The owner's space occupies the entire forward main deck of the WHY200, measures 37 square metres and offers magnificent views of the sea and the passing landscape thanks to a 270-degree wraparound window strip. To date, there are only a few - much larger - yachts that boast bow lounges of this calibre, such as the 78-metre "Venus"-Feadship owned by Apple founder Steve Jobs. "At speed, it feels like you're flying over the sea," comments Stefano de Vivo exuberantly as we walk through the cabin, which is dominated by a double bed in the centre.
In front of this, a small sofa on the midship line has been integrated into half-height, wrap-around sideboards that will delight any child watching schools of dolphins swimming along. Aft of the cabin are two spacious, mirrored bathrooms for him and her, before the 60 square metre saloon, which appears sparsely furnished with two L-shaped lounge areas, an L-shaped bar including a galley line and the centrally located spiral staircase made entirely of carbon fibre and integrated into the hull structure. However, owners naturally have a free hand here and can "fill the space to their liking", as Bassani affirms.
The owner's suite, saloon and cockpit provide an open loft feeling with around 150 square metres of space
An electric sliding glass door leads towards the stern into the aft cockpit, which is also more spacious than average at 46 square metres. There is a dining table for eight guests on the starboard side, while the space opposite remains empty. Most of the cockpit is taken up by XL sun loungers on both sides of the five-step companionway towards the bathing platform. The teak deck, laid in wide planks, provides a modern look and has been elegantly laid in a gentle radius across the entire transom to the beach club. When the two side bulwarks at anchor are folded down electrically, the area of the "terrace by the sea" increases to 32 square metres. This also frees up access to the two side garages. Here, the crew stows a considerable arsenal of tenders and toys, including a 4.05 metre Williams Jettender, Waverunner, Seabobs, stand-up paddleboards and, of course, diving equipment. The shipyard integrated a transformer from Opacmare into the bathing platform as a gangway, submerged bathing ladder or "diving platform", thus guaranteeing the greatest possible flexibility with just one system.
The glazed upper deck saloon offers the best views
With around 150 square metres of living space on the main deck, the Wally novelty creates a loft-like character over just 27 metres, which has never been seen before in this length segment. It is almost one metre - 15 percent - wider than the three-metre longer Ferretti 1000, which also celebrated its world premiere last year. "The WHY200 is a yacht that you definitely have to experience live and see the interior of, otherwise you won't understand the unique concept and the amazing feeling of space," says Stefano de Vivo. Only on the lower deck does the interesting cross-over model appear downright ordinary and is therefore comparable with other semi-gliders of this size. The suite for VIP guests at the very front of the bow is adjoined by two identical guest cabins, each with a double bed. The crew quarters located behind it can accommodate a maximum of five people in three cabins with two bathrooms.
Two decks above, the Wally is completely out of the ordinary again and amazes with an all-round glazed upper deck lounge, with which the interior designers led by Andrea Vallicelli have outdone themselves. The room, furnished in a minimalist style with a U-shaped sofa and several side tables, is flooded with additional light thanks to glass skylights. Large windows and a glass door separate the upper deck saloon from the Naviop helm station, at the centre of which are four Simrad multifunction displays. On the half-covered aft deck, the owner invites guests to enjoy an al-fresco lunch or dinner at a table for ten, while three adjoining sun loungers are ideal for lazing around. The stewardess serves chilled drinks at the bar while the scampi sizzle on the integrated grill.
The numerical name suffix is derived from the almost 200 gross tonnes of interior volume
The German owner of build number 1, on which we experience the test drive, was quickly impressed by the innovative Wally. "He already had several Pershing models, loves to go fast, but wanted to change and now wants to be more relaxed on the road. If the desire for speed overcomes him, he can still put the levers on the table and dash towards the nearest beach club at a top speed of 23 knots," Bassani tells us frankly. If he controls himself and stays at a cruising speed of ten knots, the 12,000 litres of diesel in the tanks are enough for more than 1,000 nautical miles - an unusual freedom for Pershing connoisseurs. In the engine compartment of the WHY200, whose numerical name suffix is derived from the almost 200 gross tonnes of interior volume, there are two Seakeeper stabilisers and two Cummins generators as well as four Volvo Penta IPS units, each with 735 kilowatts of power, which can provide surfing fun on the stern wave if desired.
Technical data Wally WHY200
- Length over everything: 27,03 m
- Length (hull shape): 23,98 m
- Width: 7,66 m
- Depth: 2 m
- Displacement (half full): 118 t
- Gross tonnage:199 GT
- Material:GRP, carbon fibre
- Motors:4 x Volvo Penta D13 IPS 1350
- Engine power: 4 x 735 kW
- Speed (max.):23 kn
- Speed (travelling):18 kn
- Range with 10 kn: 1000 nm
- Generators:2 x Cummins Onan 40 kW
- Fuel: 12000 l
- Navigation: Simrad
- Construction:Laurent Giles, Ferretti Group
- Exterior design: Luca Bassani, Ferretti Group
- Interior design: A. Vallicelli & Co.
- Class: CE "A"
- Shipyard: Wally, 2021
- Starting price: 9 million euros
This article first appeared in our sister magazine BOATS EXCLUSIVE
