Wind, O Wind! Lord of the sky: wallywind 110 Galma

Galma, unveiled at the Monaco Yacht Show in September, has captured significant attention in the yachting community, not only for its avant-garde design but also as a landmark project for its builder. This yacht is the inaugural model in the new wallywind range from the Italian shipyard Wally Yachts, marking the first SY launch since the company was acquired by Italy’s largest yacht builder, Ferretti Group, in 2019.

According to Wally's founder and chief designer, Luca Bassani, whose bold designs have set trends and profoundly influenced the concept of cruising yachting, the arrival of Galma signifies the dawn of a new era for the yard, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Previously, Wally focused on producing small and medium-sized sailing and motor yachts in series, with superyachts built on a custom basis. Now, the shipyard will also offer semi-custom series for larger sailing yachts.

Wally has garnered a devoted following, and many admirers of Luca Bassani's distinctive designs were concerned that the shipyard might lose its signature style by merging into the Ferretti Group, which had primarily focused on motor yachts.

However, the group's CEO, Alberto Galassi, reassured everyone that there is no cause for concern: “Wally remains true to itself and continues to create yachts that are radically different from anything else in the world. The wallywind110 exemplifies the importance of the sailing superyacht sector to the Ferretti Group. Our goal is to stay ahead of market trends by designing yachts that establish new standards in both yachting and design.”

The wallywind range of carbon fiber cruising and racing yachts was unveiled to the public in 2022, with three models announced. Following the younger wallywind110, the next model will be the 130-footer, and the future flagship will be the wallywind150.

According to Wally's managing director, Stefano de Vivo, these yachts are designed to be the nautical equivalent of Gran Turismo cars: “They’re like luxury cruisers for long journeys—powerful yet smooth on the move, and ready to transform into racing machines at a moment’s notice. They’re the perfect choice for experienced yachtsmen looking to upgrade from a 60-80 footer to a 100+ footer for enhanced comfort.”

The exterior of the wallywind110, designed by Luca Bassani in collaboration with the Santa Maria Magnolfi Yacht Design studio (which also contributed to the interior, allowing each client to fully customize their yacht), retains all the distinctive features of Wally's design that make these yachts instantly recognizable: clean, minimalist lines, a wide open transom, and a cool color palette featuring metallic paint that gives the hull a rugged appearance. The original architecture and engineering for this project were developed by the German firm Judel/Vrolijk & Co., known for creating some of the fastest modern sailing yachts, incorporating all of Wally's innovations.

The yacht is entirely constructed from carbon fiber, including the mast and boom from Hall Spars and rigging from Future Fibres ECSix. Although the length of the displacement hull with a vertical bow measures 33.42 meters (excluding the bowsprit) and the beam is 7.6 meters, the use of ultra-light materials results in a lightweight displacement of only 71.9 tons when empty. In the fixed keel configuration, the draft does not exceed 4.5 meters. Additionally, options include a telescopic keel, allowing the draft to be adjusted from 3.95 to 6.1 meters, and a lifting keel with a range of 4.5 to 6.8 meters.

The characteristic low-profile deckhouse of the Galma, typical of Wally sailing yachts, features an intriguing design. From a side view, the superstructure is almost imperceptible, even though the specifications indicate that the vessel has a raised saloon configuration. The key lies in the elevated sides, which conceal both the cabin roof and the deep cockpit, making the deck appear flat from the water. “The wallywind110 is not just an adapted racing yacht; it’s an incredibly efficient hybrid,” says Luca Bassani, proudly discussing his creation. “It combines the spaciousness and comfort of a cruising yacht with a high cabin and the spirit and speed characteristics of a sleek racing boat.”

When it comes to performance, he emphasizes that the wallywind110 was designed to operate at its maximum potential. Equipped with a sloop rig, it can carry 603 square meters of sail area on a close reach and up to 1,296 square meters on a broad reach. An optional square-top mainsail is available, increasing the sail area by an additional 30 square meters. Furthermore, the presence of a second forestay on the fixed bowsprit allows for the use of an asymmetrical code zero sail during regattas, enabling the yacht to maintain speed in light winds. The yacht is also equipped with a 355-horsepower Cummins QSB 6.7 engine and a 4,500-liter fuel tank, ensuring mobility even in calm conditions.

Returning to the deck layout, it's important to highlight the design of the cockpit. First and foremost, it is enormous—an impressive 80 square meters! Yachts measuring 50 meters or longer typically feature cockpits of this size. But this one is fairly unconventional: it spans the entire beam width, with no traditional coamings around the guest area. Instead, zoning is achieved through removable furniture. When cruising, an H-shaped sofa, folding tables, and cabinets are arranged to form a cozy lounge for up to 15 people. During regattas, the lounge is dismantled, providing the crew with a completely open transom.

The stepped transitions at the rear edge of the superstructure create a gradual descent to the very transom, where several more steps lead down to the bathing platform, which is protected on the sides by bulwarks. The designers call this area the "sea terrace": soft paddings mount directly on the steps to form sofas and sun loungers. Under the aft section of the deck is a garage for a tender up to 4 meters in length, with side loading to keep the transom clear for guest usage. For swimming, a hydraulic ladder with handrails extends from the platform.

The interior configuration of the wallywind110 can, of course, vary according to the owner's preferences, but the standout feature of this model—the raised saloon—will remain consistent. The elevated lower deck in the center of the boat allows for the placement of the engine room and various technical equipment beneath the salon floor, resulting in more spacious living areas.

The salon does not feel low at all. A sense of openness and airiness is provided by the wide strip of glazing along the center of the superstructure and the open-plan layout. On the Galma, the dining area with a table for eight is located on the starboard side, while the port side features a seating area.

For passenger accommodation, the shipyard has designed three- and four-cabin layouts. The master suite at the bow can be spacious, featuring a walk-in closet on the starboard side and a roomy bathroom on the port side. However, if a simple wardrobe is installed instead of a walk-in closet, the bathroom can be moved to the forepeak, and the bedroom can be slightly narrowed to create additional space for a guest cabin on the port side and a cinema (with options for an office or bar) on the starboard side.

In the midship area, there are two guest cabins with a mirrored layout, and the corridor between them leads to the aft section, where the crew facilities are located. During cruising mode, the crew consists of five members. They are accommodated in three cabins (the captain has a single cabin) and crew quarters. This area also includes a galley, storage rooms, and a laundry. When the yacht participates in offshore races, a larger crew will be required, and it is planned to use the two guest cabins for overnight stays.

The choice of color schemes and materials in the interior is determined by the clients' tastes. In the case of the Galma, light tones were preferred. The beige wood of the bulkheads and furniture, combined with cream textiles and white ceilings, creates a visually taller and more spacious environment, while the dark flooring made from woven carbon fibers not only serves as a striking accent but also hints at the yacht's speed-oriented character.

During its debut at the Monaco Boat Show, the first wallywind110 received such positive feedback that the shipyard secured an order for the next one. Work is already underway on the second hull, and the creative team at Wally promises that it will also impress sailors with innovative features and design elements.