Wally Yachts Reveals First Hybrid Yacht: The 88ft WHY200

Monaco-based yacht builder Wally has revealed the design of their first-ever hybrid yacht – the spacious 88ft WHY200, offering 50% more living space compared to traditional designs of the same length.

After more than 25 years creating some of the world’s most revolutionary sailing and power yachts, Italian based Wally Yachts has turned their hand to the “compact” superyacht category and have created the 88ft (27m) WHY200 – their response to the demand for a spacious design without the speed concessions of a displacement yacht.

Led by Wally founder and Chief Designer Luca Bassani and Ferretti Group’s engineering department, Wally Yachts worked alongside interior design firm A.Vallicelli & C Studio to create a streamlined design offering up to 50% more living space than a traditional yacht of the same length.

“In keeping the yacht registration under 24meters (78′ 8″) load line, we have been able to optimize the costs of running and berthing, while still providing the space and volume benefits of a much larger vessel thanks to its innovative full-wide-body design,” shared Stefano de Vivo, Wally Managing Director.

One of the design methods Wally enlisted to achieve more than 2,153 square feet of indoor living area was absorbing the space used for exterior walkways into a full-beam salon. This use of space created a significantly larger open-plan living area and, when joined to the glass-encased sky lounge by a carbon fiber staircase, makes a seamless transition between living spaces.

Another stand-out feature of the Wally WHY200 is the owner’s suite located at the yacht’s bow. Wrapped on all sides by glass, the oversized owner’s suite offers a 200-degree view as far as the eye can see.

“Providing owners with an elevated experience onboard has always been central to our mission at Wally. We have had a longstanding vision to create a wrap-around main deck in glass that would provide so many lifestyle benefits to the owner and now finally the technology has made this possible, unlocking game-changing extra interior volume on this deck”, confirmed Luca Bassani, Wally Founder and Chief Designer. “It has allowed us to create a sensational and unprecedented 37-square-meter (398 square feet) owner’s suite at the bow, which takes the onboard experience to a whole new level. Imagine the feeling of waking up to uninterrupted 200-degree views through vast windows in the bow, as if you are floating above the water. It is a genuine marvel to behold, we are especially proud of what has been achieved with this revolutionary layout.”

With the WHY200, Wally has also recognized a change in owners’ use of the outdoor living spaces over the years and have been mindful when designing spaces with ample shade from the sun and protective measures from the wind and rain. An extended pillarless overhang above the main deck aft and flanking glass panels provide shelter to the alfresco dining and lounging area, which has unobstructed views on three sides and seamlessly flows into the main salon past sliding full-height doors. The extended overhang also offers a larger upper deck aft, with space to recline on sunloungers or sit at the shaded dining table.

Down on the beach club of the WHY200, guests can also enjoy access to the ocean via three expandable fold-out wings. Two concealed garages are also easily accessible and offer a tremendous amount of storage space for a yacht this size, including a four-meter tender and multiple water toys.

The WHY200 is Wally’s first hybrid yacht and is optimized for both full- and semi-displacement cruising. Featuring an adaptive multi-propulsion system, the WHY200 is a balance between the voluminous but slower full displacement yachts and the restricted but lighting fast planing yachts. When making short trips, the crew can operate the WHY200 in hyper displacement mode to achieve a cruising speed of 20 knots, but when taking slower trips can switch to the economical long-range displacement mode.

No prices have been revealed yet however, Wally has indicated the WHY200 will make its official debut at the Ferretti Group Private Preview in Monaco this coming September.