Wally’s first full-wide-body model once again pushes design boundaries. With its wide body design, this 200 GT yacht offers far larger volumes compared to traditional motorboats, plus a living space and stability that are definitely the greatest of the market segment. It essentially provides all the advantages of a catamaran but has none of its limitations. This innovative motor yacht, officially launched few days ago at the Cannes Yachting festival, combines the comfort and space of a much larger displacement yacht with the speed and performance of a semi-displacement boat.
Measuring less than 24 meters loadline, the yacht is rewriting the rules to make volume the most important gauge of a yacht. The project was developed by Wally’s design team headed by Luca Bassani and the Ferretti Group Engineering Department, who worked with Laurent Giles NA Ltd for the naval architecture and Studio A. Vallicelli & Co for interior design.
In keeping with a design philosophy that aims to combine form and function with new and immersive yachting experiences, the WHY200 features a spectacular 4.7-metre high glazed bow to maximise seaworthiness like working explorer vessels. This houses a stunning 37sqm master suite that commands the sea with an uninterrupted 270-degree view of the horizon. The eye-catching upper deck has a futuristic glass-and-carbon dome and an extended, structural top with no supporting pillars.
A spectacular one-piece laminated carbon staircase connects the three decks and makes bulkheads superfluous in the huge 50 square meters open living area. On deck, the fold-down beach club bulwarks give access to the sea on three sides and expand the living area to 32sqm. In addition, WHY200 boasts two garages with a storage capacity never seen before on yachts of this size, able to accommodate a 4.15m jet tender, wave runner, Seabob, paddleboard and all manner of water toys. Positioned on either side, the garages permit a large walkway instead of the classic two narrow ones resulting from a garage to one side.
The hull has been specifically developed for this semi-displacement yacht and tank tested to optimise efficiency while cutting through the waves with no slamming and minimal pitching, like all Wally hulls. The first unit is powered by four Volvo Penta D-13 IPS 1350 engines of 1000 hp each, enabling the WHY200 to cruise at up to 23 knots while maintaining perfect horizontal trim and guest comfort on board. The wide beam combined with the zero-speed fin stabilisers and optional twin Seakeeper gyros ensure stability under way and at anchor.
Is this the future next’s trend for motor yachting? Time will tell.
