Wallywind 110: a luxury cruiser with racing character

The wallywind 110 is a titbit for sailing sport enthusiasts, as she combines the comfort of a luxury cruiser with the performance characteristics of a racing boat 

According to the manufacturer, the world premiere of the 110-foot sailboat at the Monaco Yacht Show in September 2024 was nothing less than “a momentous step for the history of Wally”. For the shipyard that joined Ferretti Group in 2019, it is the beginning of a new production approach: it used to build only custom superyachts, and now it has launched a semi-custom range.

Passionate yachtsman and lucky visionary, Luka Bassani, who founded Wally in 1994 and has been its chief designer all this time, has managed to become a trendsetter for the yachting industry. The futuristic look and pronounced masculinity have become signature features of Wally yachts that can be immediately spotted in any marina. 

For this very reason Wally fans were somewhat wary about his decision to join the largest Italian shipbuilding group. Will the brand keep its original style? “Ever since Wally came into the universe of Ferretti Group, it has carried on being Wally”, dispelled all doubts Alberto Galassi, Ferretti Group Chief Executive Officer. “The point is to keep creating yachts that are completely different to the rest of the yachts in the sailing world. With the wallywind we’ve managed to introduce something that is distinct: the boats are completely customisable staying true to Wally’s tradition, but with Ferretti Group industrial approach, so no two will ever look the same.” 

The range of carbon cruiser-racers includes three models: the wallywind110 (and there is no spelling mistake here, as the shipyard does not capitalize the name of the model), which is going to be followed by a 130-footer, and then the flagship  wallywind150.  Wally Managing Director Stefano de Vivo compares them to Gran Turismo cars: “The wallywind110 is the equivalent of the Grand Touring car in the automotive world. 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”.

Design and construction 

The Wallywind110 is a combination of all advantages of a cruising vessel for three or four couples wishing to travel around the world, with the benefits of a racing boat, whose sport features can delight the crews of the most competitive regattas. Bassani developed the exterior and interior concepts in collaboration with Santa Maria Magnolfi Yacht Design team. The project’s architecture and engineering are owed to Judel/vrolijk & Co, whose portfolio can boast numerous projects of the fastest sailing yachts of our time.

With a length of 33.42 m (excluding bowsprit) and a beam of 7.6 m, the hull is all- carbon. The mast, Hall Spars, Future Fibres ECSix are all made of this superlight and robust material, too. There are three keel options to choose from: 4.5-metre fixed, telescopic (3.95—6.10 m) or lifting (4.50—6.80 m). 

The beauty of the yacht’s lines (even the anchor systems have been concealed under the water) is highlighted by the unusual color: the sides are painted a luminous metallic blue, which changes its shades depending on the light. 

Another Wally’s typical feature is the low profile. When you look at her from a side, the superstructure is inconspicuous. Wally Founder and Chief Designer Luca Bassani reveals the secret of the design: “The cockpit is deep, but you don’t see this from outside the boat. It helps to conceal the coachroof, giving the impression of a flush-decked yacht. In reality, the wallywind110 has all the benefits of a raised saloon without any of the aesthetic drawbacks. The wallywind110 is a true hybrid offering the volumes and comforts of a deckhouse yacht, but with a flush-deck that features the spirit and the performance of a racing boat.”

Sailing rig and propulsion system 

The yacht boasts 603 sq.m sail plan upwind and 1296 sq.m downwind. As an option, there can also be a large square top mainsail, which will increase the sail area by about 30 sq.m. The jib is furled, with its shoulder straps and winches mounted near the mast. The second forestay is attached to the short stationary bowsprit, which means that adding Code Zero to your sail wardrobe for regattas is not a problem.  

It is easy to handle the sails without a large crew thanks to the hydraulic Magic Trim system for the main and jib sheets, as well as Wally easy-sailing system: the running ends are in the cockpit, with the sheets concealed in the guest area, while the winches are equipped with hydraulic boosters. Twin rudders, perfect hull characteristics, and an amazing ballast to weight ratio of 40% ensure great responsiveness on the helm.

The yacht is equipped with Cummins QSB 6.7 engine of 355 hp, and a 4500-litre fuel tank, which provides the wallywind110 with good autonomy and mobility even in calm conditions. 

Deck layout 

The free bow section right behind the mast flows smoothly into the “hill” of the superstructure, which is disguised not only by high sides, but also by teak covering, which is the same as the rest of the deck. A broad strip of tinted glazing in the centre of the roof ensures there is a lot of natural light in the saloon and allows one to keep an eye on the sails. 

The key architectural feature of the project is the cockpit. Its area is 80 sq.m! One can find something comparable only on board 50-metre sailing yachts. The cockpit’s layout is really unusual. Firstly, the deck is split level, and the depth of the cockpit is ensured by the height difference of a couple of steps. And since there are a few more steps down to the wide swimming platform behind the steering consoles, one can say that the deck is even three-level.  

Secondly, there is no “guest area” here, which is traditionally protected by coamings. The furniture serves as a divider of different zones. There’s an H-shaped sofa with a cozy dining corner with two tables fitted into it. There are fridges with drinks below, with a second access to the deck between them. There are also sofas that can be transformed into sunbeds at the exit from the wheelhouse and near the bathing platform.   

Thirdly, all this furniture can be removed and left ashore. So the aft section can accommodate comfortably up to 15 guests when the Galma is cruising, and if she takes part in a regatta, this area is freed and becomes an unencumbered working space for racing crew. 

Interiors 

One of the wallywind110’s constructive features is the fact that the lower deck is raised amidships. Thanks to the location of the engine room and other technical equipment below deck, the designers gained more living space and the saloon became amazingly spacious. 

The interior looks airy thanks to the use of light woods and upholstery, while the carbon fibre detailing hints at the yacht’s racing potential. The owner can configure the wallywind110’s interior in accordance with their taste. On board the Galma there is a dining table for eight on the starboard side, and deep sofas on the portside. 

Various cabin arrangement options are available, too. The master suite forward can be made bigger: in addition to a bedroom, there will be a dressing room on the starboard side and a bedroom to port. If the dressing room is reduced to a closet and the head is moved to the forepeak and the master bedroom is made a little smaller, there can be an extra guest cabin and an office (or a cinema or a bar as an option). 

There are two more guest suites amidships, followed by the crew area, which includes three cabins (one single and one reserved for the captain), a mess, a well-appointed galley and storage space. There is garage aft, which can accommodate a 4-metre tender and water toys. 

With the launch of such an exciting new product, Wally celebrated its thirtieth anniversary worthily, and proved once again it sets the bar really high. So, the news of the beginning of construction on the second wallywind110 hull is not surprising. The arrival of the wallywind130 and wallywind150 is not that far off either.