When a giant of the yachting world like the Ferretti Group decides to acquire a small outfit like Wally, as it did back in January 2019, the reason will only ever be because they see value. In this case mind you, it could not have been in terms of an immediate increase in volume (Wally hasn’t ever produced in any serious quantity, having made just 50 sailing yachts and 120 power boats since inception), or profits (the firm had been widely cited to be falling into financial difficulty) but rather innovation, flair and group synergies. Of course, there’s also the fact that Wally produces some of the sexiest boats around – with a totally Instagrammable combination of chicness and modernism – but they’ve also been pushing the boundaries of innovation since they began in 1994, blazing their own path with trend-setting designs fabricated from pioneering materials. Indeed, Wally has arguably done more for boat design than any other firm in the last few decades.
So, with their future secure, the first fruits of the new Wally appeared at the Cannes Boat Show in September in the form of the all-new single-level teak-deck-lined 48 Wallytender. The latest iteration of the Wally dayboat has stayed true to the company's offbeat but spectacular architecture but now features a bunch of improvements, including folding bulwarks that make for an extra spacious swimming platform, served by a retractable five-step ladder that doubles as a gangplank.
You’ll notice the perimetral rubber strake around the hull remains. This distinctive Wally feature ensures effortless mooring without the need for bulky fenders. The carbon bimini hardtop has grown in size, as has the cabin, which now boasts a proper bed, head and a standing shower. The designers were able to achieve the necessary increase in volume by expanding the freeboard but they did so without breaking the signature Wally lines.
On deck, family and friends can relax in convivial comfort by sinking into the generous seating and sunbeds, and enjoy al fresco dining thanks to an upgraded galley that’s now equipped with two cooking rings, a sink and two fridges. The aft seating can be configured to face forward when under way and to face the dining table when at anchor. Further back, the entire aft sunbed can be raised to access the engine compartment, or just the top section that has storage space for a couple of Seabobs and more.
At the front, Besenzoni has developed a custom-made solution that boasts an extending arm to simplify anchoring operations: it is concealed behind a flush-deck hatch in the bow and is activated from the helm station at the push of a button.
Standard propulsion consists of two Volvo IPS 650 engines (totalling 1,020hp) controlled via joystick controls with a top speed of 38 knots. An optional gyroscopic stabilizer can be placed in a separate technical compartment that also houses the electrical panels, separated from the engine bay to prevent overheating. The price? Well that will only be revealed upon request, apparently.
