Founded in 1994 by Italian entrepreneur and life-long sailor Luca Bassani, Wally has been at the forefront of luxury yachting design ever since by bringing together a mind for technological innovation and an eye for stylistic fineness. With form following function down to the finest detail, what makes Wally’s yachts truly stand out however is that their every detail echoes their overall aesthetic refinement. As a pioneer in technological and engineering innovation, and famous for its avant-garde designs – check out the futuristic 118 Wallypower superyacht featured in the 2005 hit sci-fi blockbuster “The Island” starring Scarlett Johansson and Ewan McGregor – Wally is the only yachting brand to be a two-time winner of the ADI Compasso d’Oro, the world’s most important award for quality and design.

Powered by Bassani’s creative vision, Wally’s long list of innovations have not only become brand hallmarks but have also profoundly influenced the entire yachting industry. The list includes the introduction of carbon fibre construction, the extensive use of structural glass, the design of the “beach club” which was conceived by Bassani as a terraced aft deck bringing guests closer to the sea, and the simplification of sailing systems with concepts such as fully automatic sail trimming which means that even the largest yachts can be handled single-handedly. Supported by the industrial, organisational and commercial capabilities of Ferretti Group, Wally’s ingenuity in devising ground-breaking solutions is surely going to intensify. 

The 48 Wallytender, the first new project born from this strong partnership, retains the stylish solutions of the hugely popular Wallytender while introducing innovative features. Originally launched in 2001, the successful design was conceived not simply as a support vessel for a larger yacht or private villa but rather as standalone power boat ideal for day and overnight cruising, “a symbol”, in Bassani’s words, “of the pure joy of open-air boating”. The new version is faithful to the functional and stylistic aspects that once made Wallytender the company’s top seller and opened up a new market, but ups the ante with new amenities and features in order to provide more comfort, increase functionality and enhance the yachting experience overall. 

Sporting 14.5 metres of pure aerodynamic sleekness, combined with 960 horsepower of twin Volvo IPS 650 engines and a top speed of 38 knots, the boat’s engineering prowess is matched by its gorgeous design that combines the classic elegance teak decking with the glistening lightness of the advanced composite construction. Despite its relatively compact size, the deck is astutely configured with two spacious living areas, one in the stern and one in the bow, and an alfresco dining area for eight people, serviced by an equipped galley.

Unnoticed to a lay observer, the freeboard has been slightly raised compared with previous model in order to accommodate a larger cabin below deck, which includes a vast cabin complete with an en-suite bathroom with separate shower. After all, the opportunity to take a refreshing shower after an afternoon nap should be a litmus test for any true luxury all-day cruiser. 

Another of the innovative features of the 48 Wallytender, the only one in its segment to offer this as standard, is the fold-down bulwark aft sections to extend the deck area at anchor. Additionally, a retractable passarelle doubles as a swim ladder, while the aft seating can be configured to face either forwards or used for the dining table. With a special anchoring system hidden behind a flush-fitting hatch in the bow which can be operated at the touch of a button from the helm station, and user-friendly joystick controls for easy manoeuvering, the yacht certainly doesn’t lack the state-of-the-art technology you’d expect from Wally and Ferretti Group. Coupled with its stylistic finesse, crafty functionality and engineering quality, one thing is certain: the 48 Wallytender is destined to become a new icon.