Why200 is Wally’s first full-wide-body superyacht. Its clearly defined, bold exterior instantly highlights its dynamic character
by Mariateresa Campolongo – photo by Gilles Martin-Raget and Toni Meneguzzo
Whenever Wally unveils a new boat, there are some things you know for sure: it will be bold, ahead of its time, and it will make a name for itself, becoming a benchmark for the world of yacht design. This was true of its innovative sailing yachts, the unforgettable Wallypower models, and everything else the shipyard has produced – over the years, every single craft has shown that Wally is synonymous with innovation, technology, and beauty. Now it is the turn of Why200, which even from afar has magnetic, attention-grabbing power thanks to the trademark Wally streamlined design and the imposing bow, a new feature for this model.
Why200 is a 27-meter-long, 200 GT semi-displacement yacht, developed by the Wally design team led by Luca Bassani and the Ferretti Group Engineering Department, with the Laurent Giles studio providing the naval architecture and Studio A. Vallicelli & C. responsible for the interior design. We were shown the first unit in the new Why range, with the ‘Wally Silver’ color scheme and a four-cabin layout.
The Why200’s cockpit is far from conventional, with sunbeds at the side offering a beautiful view over the sea, a central walkway, and a table and chairs for open-air dining on the starboard side. Wally has developed a system to shelter guests from the sun, wind, and rain: a top with no uprights that extends towards the stern across the main deck, which, along with glass panels on the sides, protects the lunch and relaxation area without compromising the breathtaking view on three sides. This space merges seamlessly into the main saloon, located behind full-height sliding doors.
The stern, complete with fold-down terraces, provides a wonderful area for enjoying the water and natural surroundings nearby. As well as expanding the living space, this area provides access to the sea on three sides, ensuring an immersive experience with the water. The key concept underpinning the design is the newly defined volume, which in practical terms translates into increased living space indoors. The full-wide-body design allows the spaces typically used for outside walkways to be incorporated into a single full-beam lounge.
The interior design is simple and unfussy; upon entering the superyacht, one immediately has the surprising sensation of free space and proximity to the sea. The central section containing the stairs is the focal point of the design, instantly communicating the idea of lightness and cutting-edge technology. The one-piece laminated carbon-fiber staircase – surrounded by transparent vertical surfaces – connects the three decks and has a structural function, removing the need for bulkheads in the open-plan saloon.
The main deck has various configuration options: we saw the ‘show-cooking’ option, with an open galley on the port side of the boat and two symmetrical sofas before the entrance to the master cabin. Everything is smart and streamlined, with details designed to surprise guests making a real difference: even something as simple as a wine rack, which is integrated into the galley layout and lights up as soon as a bottle is inserted.
The teak planking on the main deck enhances the continuity between the interior and exterior, as the furnishings are made of open-pore teak. The palette is based on contrasting neutral and natural hues that brighten up the spaces: all it takes is a few yellow accents in the upholstery and a few pieces of furniture to create perfectly balanced colors.
Why200 can be configured in several different layouts. The lower deck can have either three or four double cabins. The main deck offers various options, including ‘show-cooking’ with the galley in the central part of the boat, ‘owner suite’ with an owner cabin at the bow, or ‘entertainment’, with a dining table at the bow. The first Wally Why200 to be unveiled featured the ‘show-cooking’ layout, with a streamlined galley perfectly integrated into the open-plan main deck.
The 37 m2 master suite provides an incredible uninterrupted 200° view of the horizon from the owner’s bed, which is positioned centrally in the cabin. The master suite contains two separate, completely symmetrical bathrooms. Natural materials like wood blend perfectly with high-tech materials such as carbon fiber.
The master cabin is an absolute masterpiece. The 4.7-meter-high windowed bow, with a shape and seakeeping inspired by explorer workboats, provides space for a 37 m2 suite overhanging the sea. The thing we were most struck by was the incredible uninterrupted 200° view of the horizon the owner can enjoy without even getting out of bed. The bed itself is positioned centrally in the room, away from the rest of the furniture and the bulkheads: it is like a work of art and the undisputed star of the space. A cleverly designed filter area between the living space and the sleeping area contains two bathrooms and two symmetrical wardrobes.
The upper deck is home to the visually striking dashboard, next to a beautiful – and convenient – sky-lounge area below the carbon fiber and glass superstructure. Outdoors, guests have the choice of relaxing on sunbeds or eating lunch in the shade.
The cockpit is highly unusual, with sunbeds on the sides and a walkway down the middle. The teak that runs from the main deck towards the stern creates a spectacular effect, almost like a waterfall, recalling the sterns of yachts like Tilakkhana.
The hull has been designed to ensure the maximum level of comfort at various speeds and is the result of numerous tests carried out in the towing tank at Southampton Solent University and the combined efforts of Wally and Ferretti Group Engineering with the Laurent Giles naval architecture studio. The boat we tested in the waters of the Bay of Cannes had four 1,000 hp Volvo Penta D13 engines and IPS 1350 transmission, producing a maximum speed of around 23 knots. Stability is ensured by two Seakeepers and by stabilisers that can be activated both when the boat is at anchor and when on the move.
The cutting-edge dashboard is positioned on the upper deck next to a sky lounge, beneath a glass and carbon fiber cover.
«Providing owners with an elevated experience on board has always been central to our mission at Wally. We have had a longstanding vision to create a wrap-around main deck in glass, which takes the onboard experience to a whole new level».
Luca Bassani, founder, and Chief Designer at Wally

«In keeping the yacht registration under 24 meters load line we have been able to optimise 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».
Stefano de Vivo, Managing Director at Wally
Engine room
Nella sala macchine del Wally Why200 c’è un sistema di propulsione composto da 4 motori D13 di mille cavalli ciascuno e 4 Ips1350SD. L’installazione nella soluzione “Hybrid ready” è più compatta longitudinalmente rispetto ad un’installazione tradizionale in linea d’asse, permettendo ai progettisti di dedicare maggior spazio, a prua della engine room, alle aree guest/crew. I vantaggi di questo sistema sono noti, sia per quanto riguarda la rumorosità e le ridotte vibrazioni che consentono maggior comfort di bordo, sia per quanto riguarda le prestazioni e i consumi. Con i motori a 1.850 giri al minuto la velocità di crociera è di 15 nodi, il consumo è di 23 litri per ogni miglio e l’autonomia è di 478 miglia marine. Considerando che il rapporto peso potenza è di circa 40 chilogrammi per ogni chilowatt disponibile, si tratta di un’ottima prestazione. Le trasmissioni Ips grazie all’EVC, Electronic Control Vessel, garantiscono un’ottima manovrabilità grazie alle eliche traenti, alle trasmissioni sterzanti elettronicamente e a una serie di accessori elettronici tra cui autopilota, joystick docking, joystick driving, single lever, low speed, cruise control e Dynamic Positioning System.
WALLY – A BRAND OF FERRETTI GROUP
6, Av. Albert II
MC-98000 Monaco
T. +377 99905374
www.wally.com
PROGETTO
Wally / Ferretti Group Engineering Department (design) • Laurent Giles NA (architettura navale) • A. Vallicelli & C. (interior design)
SCAFO
Lunghezza f.t. 27,03m • Lunghezza linea di carico 23,98m • Baglio massimo 7,66m • Pescaggio (mezzo carico) 2,00m • Dislocamento (mezzo carico) 118 t • Stazza lorda 199 GRT • Serbatoi carburante 12.000 l • Serbatoi acqua 2.200 l • Accoglienza ospiti 8 in 4 cabine oppure 12 in 5 cabine (come optional) • Equipaggio 5 in 3 cabine
MOTORE
Propulsione standard 4 x Volvo Penta D13 Ips1200 potenza 900 cv / 588 kW • Propulsione optional 4 x Volvo Penta D13 Ips1350 potenza 1.000 cv / 735 kW
CERTIFICAZIONE
CE CAT A
(Wally Why200, carattere energico – Barchemagazine.com – Marzo 2022)