Increased habitability compared to yachts of the same length and naval architecture of the latest generation to navigate both in displacement and semi-displacement. These are the main characteristics of the new concept,  Wally WHY200, a vessel with a hybrid engine, 27 metres long, developed by the shipyard in Monaco together with the Ferretti Group Engineering Department, and the studios, Laurent Giles NA and Studio A. Vallicelli & C.

WALLY WHY200,  “FULL-WIDE-BODY” DESIGN

The boat, which will be presented to the public in autumn, has been created as a challenge “against all the stereotypes tied to the concept of a yacht and its use”, explains Stefano De Vivo, managing director for Wally, part of the Ferretti Group portfolio. “Today, more than ever, it is hard to spend time with our loved ones – notes De Vivo – for this reason, when we are able to be together we need to make it so that it is a special time for everyone, independent of age and interests.”

And so the WHY200 has over 200 square metres of covered day area, of which 61 are full beam open space. A result which was obtained by incorporating the surface area that is normally used for exterior walkways and connecting the three decks with a self-supporting central staircase made in carbon fibre.

TRANSPARENCY AND EXTRA SPACE

“It is a priority – declares Luca Bassani, founder and chief designer of Wally –  that the owner enjoy a singular experience on board his yacht. For this reason, we have, for some time, wanted to build a glass structure that, by fully enveloping the main deck, creates a completely new feeling. Today’s technology has finally allowed us to do this and, by freeing up extra space in the interior, we have created something that has never been seen before.”

The layout includes an owner’s suite to the bow of the main deck, 37 square metres, visually open with no interruption through to the seascape offering a 200-degree view. This is due to the transparency of the large windows, which also applies to the lateral glass panels on the main deck, protecting the dining and conversation areas, that are also protected from the top by a mount-free covering. A system that opens up the view to the panorama and at the same time, protects the 144 square metres of exterior area from the sun, wind and rain.

The elongated top creates even more space on the upper deck, where the sky lounge and wheelhouse are located, in addition to another open-air area for relaxing and eating. The expansion also includes the beach club below, thanks to collapsible gunwales allowing access to the sea from three sides.

Studying increased habitability was also reserved for the guest cabins – three or four doubles, depending on the layout – but also for the more technical aspects of the yacht: two hidden garages can house a four-metre tender and a number of water toys, while the crew area, with the kitchen, services and three cabins, is one of the biggest in this category.

THE LATEST GENERATION IN NAVAL ARCHITECTURE

Alongside the quality of the spaces is the vessel’s performance. The latest generation in naval architecture is optimised for navigation in both displacement and semi-displacement, positioning Wally WHY200 midway between large and slow yachts and faster ones, but with smaller spaces.

The hull design, optimised through a number of tests in the tanks of the  Solent University in Southampton, and the pin and gyroscopic stabilisers eliminate rolling when the vessel is in roads. The Volvo pod engine system, which thanks to its compactness frees up space in the lower deck, guarantees a speed of 20 knots in “hyper displacement” mode, and uses much less fuel.

“We have always worked hard to go beyond the possible in pleasure boating – concludes De Vivo – with the aim of setting out a path for the next 20 years. For this reason, the creation of WHY200 has been so exciting.” Among other things, the fact that this yacht belongs to the compact superyacht segment, with its 200 tonnes of gross tonnage and its “full-wide-body” design, allows this “space” ship to be registered with models under 24 metres in length, reducing management and docking costs.