Luca Bassani: founder and chief designer of Wally, in his own words
At the helm of his latest creation
A close sheeting angle going upwind
living area. Fromthe helm, amasterpiece of “made inWally” design, there is a perfect view of both the deck and the sails. As in allWallys, the sails are fully trimmable by the helmsman thanks to the buttons positioned on the side of the console. These are also ergonomically convenient to reach while you are sitting on the gunwale.
Below deck, the wallywind110 continues to impress. The raised saloon design has many advantages, including the separation of technical areas such as the engine room, which frees up space for luxurious accommodation. Large windows and skylights flood
the interior with natural light, creating a bright and airy atmosphere. The interior design, developed with the Santa Maria Magnolfi Studio, combines modern aesthetics with comfort using light woods, pale upholstery and many carbon fibre details, for example on the cabin sole, to create a contemporary space based on the pleasant contrast between the warmth of woods and fabrics and the technical aesthetics of lacquered carbon fibre. The layout also includes a large dining
area for up to eight guests, perfect for both casual dining and formal occasions. The yacht can be customised to include up to four large guest cabins and three crew cabins. In addition, the design offers the flexibility to include options such as a bar, office or media room, according to the owner's preferences.
Luca Bassani is the luminary driving force behind Wally Yachts. He not only founded this esteemed brand but also serves as its principal designer. Paramount to these roles, he is first and foremost a fervent, seasoned, and deeply knowledgeable yachtsman with an unwavering passion for the open seas. Bassani’s yachts, both sail and motor,
have long been regarded as benchmarks in terms of aesthetics, functionality and technology. Since the Wally brand entered the Ferretti Group in 2019, there has been a robust momentum towards powerboats. Nevertheless, Seahorse recently engaged in a sailing-oriented conversation with Bassani, especially in light of the announcement of a novel Wally-branded one-design crafted exclusively for racing. Before delving into the future, we ask Bassani to share glimpses from his personal scrapbook of memories: ‘My father's enduring passion has always
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revolved around the sea, boats (initially, motorboats), and sailing, although not specifically focused on regattas.Whenmy enthusiasmfor sailing ignited duringmy youth, courtesy of a sailor fromPortofino named “Titto” Prato,my father attempted to steermy older brother (six yearsmy senior and already of age at the time) towards regattas. Thismove was a bid to deter him fromparticipating in car rallies, which were notably hazardous in those times. Our initial forays into racing took place aboard the family yacht, a 37-footer penned by Olin Stephens and constructed by Chris Craft. ‘I must confess, my father spared no
expense on board. In fact he indulged us generously, precisely because he wished for this passion to endure. Arranging all aspects of the regatta, both on board and ashore, provided an excellent opportunity for my brother and me to grow accustomed to collaborating, laying the groundwork for our future endeavours in our family company. In 1970 we acquired a Swan 43, the
second in the Mediterranean, with the first being John Ripard's Tikka from Malta. In 1974 we introduced Bruce King's Ericson 46, which, I must admit, turned out to be somewhat slow. The pivotal moment, however, unfolded
the following year with the debut of Phantom, a C&C 66. Remarkably it stood as the trailblazer among the maxi yachts circulating during that period. ‘In 1975,we were on the verge of setting
Self-tacking jib and square top main
the Giraglia record. Approximately an hour from Toulon, where the finish line was situated at that time, the French coastguard
patrol boat approached to extend their congratulations. Despite all the prayers aboard, they proved insufficient: we dismasted just moments before crossing the finish line! Following that, the 6mR races ensued
and in 1979 we initiated the Italian J/24 Class, acquiring the initial seven units of the one design and distributing them to as many friends, with whom we engaged in competition. To this day I retain ownership of the inaugural J/24, sail number ITA 1. ‘In 1980, we acquired a Baltic 51. All
the while my thoughts were already drifting towards my new course. By 1985 I had added a Baltic 55 to the fleet and interestingly, that marked the christening of my initial vessel named Wallygator. It sported a green hue, a colour I've always held an affection for – I'm not at all superstitious in this regard. The choice of the name was inspired by the colour and also happened to be endearing for my son, who was then a year and a half old. ‘I was a partner at Harken with
Barbarossa, a company my father established. When he realised that a small Barient winch for our 37-footer was priced equivalent to a Fiat 600, he concluded that our own company could manufacture winches at a considerably lower cost. That realisation quickly led us to initiate a small production run. ‘As we've seen, my journey began as
a fervent sailor, evolved as a client and simultaneously I took up drawing as a self-taught designer, applying the same passion I invested in sailing. In 1978 I sketched a design proposal Calabuig, as a retirement yacht for my father: a 30m boat, which was later built by Camper & Nicholson. Calabuig continues to sail to this day, though some refits she's undergone don't quite do justice to her original elegance. ‘The first Wally, now christened Wally One,
was built for my family by Sangermani, using laminated wood with an outer skin and carbon structural reinforcements. It served as the prototype, the progenitor of all subsequent Wally yachts. Through racing I encountered numerous professionals, each with their unique experiences. I assimilated all that knowledge and merged it with my own to conceive and construct a yacht that was swift, easy to manoeuvre and simultaneously comfortable. After a couple of years, I was so content with the outcome that I established the company to market boats built on this conceptual foundation.’
SEAHORSE 85
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