Wally Yacht: Stealth Bomber Luxury

15 Jan 2008 Category: Features, Products, Technology, Worldwide

Wally Yacht: Stealth Bomber Luxury

Sleek refinement for recreational pleasures: The racy 118 WallyPower's superstructure is made of carbon fibre and laminated composite glass. 17,000 horse power make these 118 feet, or 36 metres, quite speedy... Photo by Wally.

It’s not that we are getting elitist here. But today PingMag shows you a fashion mogul’s favourite luxury water vehicle - the Wally yacht from, where else, Monte Carlo. Developing super sleek, hi-tech powerboats and sail boats for the last fifteen years, Wally crafts boats from carbon fibre, with silhouettes that bring to mind a stealth bomber. PingMag chatted with Wally founder Luca Bassani about the ultimate luxury plaything.

Written by Verena

At 40 knots, the 90 WallyPower still has plenty of nice add-ons, such as a hydraulic gangway, a Bose Hi-Fi and a superstructure completely made of carbon fibre. Fancy! Photo by Wally.

So when did you start sailing?

My passion started when I was very young; probably six or seven years old. But I got my real passion when I was twelve or thirteen, when it became an obsession.

An obsession? How far did that go?

I am working on that. I mean, it is more than only a passion; it is also my business, my full-time job, and a full-time thinking.

The 90 WallyPower, lateral view. Sketch by Wally.

The 90 WallyPower again, this time longitudinal: Lots of space for babes on lush couches. And for 10,000l fuel. Sketch by Wally.

I read that your father bought you your first boat when you were ten. So, that is how it started?

My father was passionate about sailing: He believed that that was a very healthy activity, physically and mentally. He was convinced that bringing my brother and especially me - because I was more passionate - on a sailboat would be very good for my instruction, for my culture, for my soul. He even spoiled me with sailing, because he did not want me to have another type of passion that could have been less healthy.

In case you thought the 118 WallyPower is a little racer - well, it’s enormous, with a length of 118 feet, or 36 metres. Photo by Wally.

Like fast cars?

(Laughs) Yes, exactly. My brother was very passionate about fast cars and racing rallies, and my father was scared about that. He said No. Go sailing! Whatever you need, ask me. But stay on a sailboat!

Apart from your sailboat, it’s especially your powerboats that feature a very flat design and resemble futuristic space ships or naval vessels. How did you come up with that?

Because we had been solicited by quite a good number of clients who were loving our sailboats. As usual, I started the Wally process by trying to improve the functionality of our eventual powerboats compared to any other on the market at that time.

Functionality means the way the boat sails through the waves, and then also the comfort on deck: to achieve a kind of silence on board whilst running the engines. At the end, it is about features that really could improve the comfort on board, not only through simple design but from the boat’s basic functionality.

Are we approaching Venus yet? The 118 WallyPower cockpit… Photo by Wally.

So, I had some ideas about the hull design and then we tested those in the water tank. At the end, it all brought out this kind of form that is close, as you say, to a navy ship. This is understandable because, actually, all the navy ships are really conceived and designed only for functionality, not for comfort. That is why it was obvious that even our study was bringing out the same results.
Then, speaking of the design, for example the shape of the structure came out from a simple concept: From the beginning I had the idea to make the superstructure of the boat as transparent as possible from the inside. The answer was glass - as much glass as possible. And once you have to use so much, you have to take flat and not round panels, because it will become too difficult to build. So, the first result was a kind of gem; a diamond.

Nice camouflage design and a stealth bomber’s envy - the surface of the 118 WallyPower has a paint finish that’s reflecting its environment. Photo by Wally.

A racing diamond!

Yes. (Laughs) But after a couple of weeks, it seemed a bit too complex. We started to clean it up, and it turned out this shape: a square, sharp and simple and very similar to the shape of a stealth bomber. Actually they came to the same result but from another target: the problem of the radar reflection. Because of that, they had to use flood panels.

And you came out on the luxury end.

Yes. But from the beginning even with our sailboats, we always approach the design process not to get something beautiful or different, but something functionally better. This was an automatic result.

A 118 Wally as tested in the Ferrari Wind Tunnel. Its hi-tech exhaust system has been developed by the official Swedish Navy supplier. Photo by Wally.

Form follows function.

Yes. Also, I have to say that for any owner, probably the beauty of his yacht is the most important feature. At the end, even with the form for function, you want to build, to design something with nice proportions…


Can’t be overseen easily, the 118 WallyPower. Photo by Wally.

… which turns out to be minimalist.

But that’s a question of personal taste: I prefer simple things to complicated ones.

That’s why you used a lot of carbon fibre and fibreglass?

Yes, we used carbon fibre because it was the lightest and most rigid material you would use for an aircraft, for example. Structurally, it is the best we can use.

Posh! A lofty, open floor area with an unspoiled view, since all of the equipment is hidden. Photo by Wally.

And you even extended it to skis, I saw.

Absolutely. On skis it is even more important.

Moreover, what distinguishes your ships from others is the absence of any visual distractions on deck. I guess this is also a part of your functionality approach?

That comes from the final aesthetic as, once you have designed this nice shape, it`s a pity to destroy it with all of the antennas, the dome for the satellite, etc.

The 118 WallyPower interior, designed by Lazzarini-Pickering with a transparent carbon fibre dining table. Better than the Death Star bridge! Photo by Wally.

Distinctively, you chose architects like Lazzarini Pickering or Sir Norman Foster to work on the interior design.

Yes, we worked on two yachts with him.

How was it?

Very interesting because, with his style and experience, we learned a lot. At the end, the result of the joint work was very nice.

A proper chill-out lounge! Okay, and where did they hide the Miele Dishwasher and the Hi-Fi radio by Linn? Photo by Wally.

Apart from your architectural approach, I saw on your website that you have a greater vision: The 3D views of your planned WallyIsland look huge – and at 99 metres (325 feet) long, this boat will be gigantic! Please tell us about the concept of such a mega-yacht (and why there is loads of space for either a tennis court, three helicopter ports or a tropical garden).

Today, all of these mega-yachts of that size built or under construction are made only for indoor life with a lot of interior space. But you`re missing an exterior area, where you can enjoy the sea, the view, the wind. That was the principal idea.

Second, another functional approach: A long and low-shaped yacht is much more ‘sea-worthy’ than a short and tall one. If you can keep the centre of gravity of the boat as low as possible, then it is going to be safer and more comfortable when you have a rough sea. The WallyIsland has a longer and lower hull with very little superstructure - which is going to roll much less.

A tanker? No, the WallyIsland as planned. Image by Wally.

I see, quite multi-functional. When is it going to be built?

To build a big yacht like this, it takes three years. If we are lucky, we’ll be able to see the first one in that time…

And how long does it take to build the super sleek 118 WallyPower: A year? Two years?

Two years. It’s a question not only of the real time you need to build the boat, but the backlog you have in the shipyard. Luckily, we have other boats under construction.


An extended allotment garden if you feel bored. The WallyIsland. Image by Wally.

How long do you have to order in advance?

It really depends upon the size. Now, we have a backlog of twenty small powerboats, and then we have six big sail yachts, and very soon we will start a couple of big yachts.

So the future owner will have to wait a bit. There seem to be several famous people of the fashion and financial worlds who have a Wally. We want gossip!

The famous owning a regular yacht are well known; but we can’t speak about the others yet who just ordered and have one under construction…

Once again, the 118 WallyPower martial racer. Get it for around 17 million Euros (US$26 million). Image by Wally.

I see. One last thing: How did the WallyPower get into the Hollywood blockbuster The Island?

The director called Monica, my assistant, saying that he was going to do a movie and that he was interested in having it in.

For sure, the WallyPower fits quite well into the image of a high-tech, aerodynamically shaped future. Folks, start saving…

Thanks, Luca Bassani of Wally! And enjoy the St. Tropez regatta… Warm thanks also to Monica Paolazzi of Wally.

98 Comments

  1. wow! that’s so cool!

    Posted by: jam8 on January 15th, 2008 at 7:34 pm

  2. Frankly, that is the plug ugliest object I have ever seen, afloat or ashore. Why do the words ‘luxury yacht’ and ‘kitsch’ always seem to go together? Does nobody rich have any taste? Or self-respect? EEUUGH!

    Posted by: Papanda on January 15th, 2008 at 10:32 pm

  3. james bond’s vilains will love it XD

    Posted by: james | studiosushi on January 15th, 2008 at 11:50 pm

  4. One of the most beautiful boats ever!

    Posted by: Nuno on January 16th, 2008 at 12:54 am

  5. Papanda, seems like you prefer objects with floral motifs all around eh?

    Looks like the boat from The Island ;)

    Posted by: citysense on January 16th, 2008 at 2:04 pm

  6. me likey

    Posted by: boatnick on January 16th, 2008 at 3:46 pm

  7. cool boat, though i always wish wealthy people would chose to spend their money in more humanitarian ways–so much good could be done with all that cash…

    Posted by: fuhshoko on January 16th, 2008 at 4:30 pm

  8. Let’s just hope it can outrun a speed boat full of AK-47 armed pirates.

    Posted by: okita on January 16th, 2008 at 4:48 pm

  9. this looks like out of a videogame.
    but not in a good way…

    Posted by: drone9 on January 16th, 2008 at 7:07 pm

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  11. I regconise this boat. The one on “The Island” movie.

    Posted by: Chris Teh on January 16th, 2008 at 11:54 pm

  12. Ummm, I wish I could afford that thing!

    Posted by: japan photos on January 17th, 2008 at 6:49 am

  13. amazing

    Posted by: Badger on January 17th, 2008 at 7:21 am

  14. looks like a terminator boat about to destroy the world with a head-on bang with the titanic lol

    doesn’t appeal to me me so sawwie

    Posted by: Anonymous on January 18th, 2008 at 12:44 am

  15. but the interiors do look pretty good

    Posted by: Anonymous on January 18th, 2008 at 12:45 am

  16. itsssssssssss hot b0ys in the sea . .lol….i hope i will have one of them …lol

    Posted by: fofo on January 18th, 2008 at 6:51 am

  17. what a waste,

    Posted by: fofo on January 18th, 2008 at 6:53 am

  18. very ugly

    Posted by: Mariya Marie on January 18th, 2008 at 7:29 am

  19. Too good!

    And interior is really admirable!

    Posted by: Anonymous on January 18th, 2008 at 3:07 pm

  20. Count me on the “I love it” camp.

    Posted by: Julio on January 19th, 2008 at 8:26 pm

  21. lame.

    Posted by: ted on January 21st, 2008 at 6:08 am

  22. fuck you guys who loathe it
    half of its beauty stems from its rarity and originality
    ill take the 118 over a gin palace with 2cm external decks anyday

    Posted by: Anonymous on January 22nd, 2008 at 8:07 am

  23. Way to waste money! That’s Hideous!

    Posted by: Guy on January 23rd, 2008 at 5:02 pm

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  28. i dont think it’s ugly i think it’s awesome!

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