Award-winning iconic Wally Yachts is once again leading the way in the sailing superyacht world with a groundbreaking concept to create a new class of highly competitive 100-foot cruising yachts: the Wallycento.
The concept
“We were asked by several passionate owners to create a fleet of yachts sharing similar high performance– explains Luca Bassani, Wally and Wally Class President – The goal is to have even more fun by increasing the closeness of the racing and the competitive level of our very comfortable and fully equipped cruising yachts.”
Cento stands for onehundred, that is the overall length in feet of the new cruiser-racer by Wally: “This is the perfect size – continues Bassani – to combine absolute comfort, outstanding performance, and racing manoeuvrability. As a result, over the years Wallycento will retain their value and remain very competitive in the international racing circuit.”
The design
Whilst Wallycento is first and foremost a comfortable cruiser like any Wally, her design is developed from the innovative lines of the latest racing yachts featuring reduced displacement, a powerful sail plan, moveable ballast, improved stability and planing hull characteristics.
The box-rule
The simple Wallycento box-rule has been designed to create closely matched fast seaworthy sound cruiser-racers that benefit from the latest performance technology, respecting the Wally spirit.
The basic parameters include length (30-30.48m), beam (6.5-7.2m), displacement (45-50 tons), draft (fixed keel: 5m; lifting keel: up min 4.5 – down max 6.2 m), moveable ballast (lifting keel only), cruising interiors and systems (minimum number of cabins and heads, air conditioning, fridges, stove, water maker, generators, sound insulation, interior finishing, etc.).
The formula
Owners get a high degree of control, using their own experience and creativity to manage and personalise their projects with a choice of designer and builder, that could be WallyEurope or one of a number of technically advanced composite builders around the world approved by Wally.
The whole process of keeping within the Wallycento Class is directly monitored by Wally including the GA, specification, styling and Wally spirit .
The owners get the benefit of the Wally branding guaranteeing performance, innovation, comfort, seaworthiness, enjoyment and resale value.
Racing the cruiser
The aim, with like-minded owners, is to create a distinctive class of the groundbreaking Wallycento sailing yacht that can race in their own division within the Wally Class circuit as well as competitively under the IRC or different rating rules in maxi yacht regattas around the world.
By keeping the boats very similar in size and concept, the Wallycento Class will offer closer racing within a narrow rating range.
Wally Yachts is currently finalising the negotiations for the first two Wallycentos, due for delivery in 2012.
About Wally
Wally is world leader in yachting innovation, applying a programme of continuous research and development, constantly looking at ways of improving on the water enjoyment with performance, comfort, and style.