Ferretti finalises Wally deal
The Ferretti Group has sealed the deal on the remaining shares of Monaco-based yacht builder Wally Yachts, completing its full acquisition of the brand…
Image credit: Wally - Hull 1 of the wallywind110 series, 33-metre performance sailing yacht Galma
Italian shipbuilding giant Ferretti, having acquired 75 per cent of Wally’s holding company, Sea Lion, in 2019, has now secured the remaining 25 per cent. The transaction fulfils an agreement made six years ago with Wally founder Luca Bassani.
“I would like to thank Luca Bassani for the excellent work carried out together with Ferretti Group, which has relaunched Wally as a global icon in both sailing and motor yachting,” says Alberto Galassi, Ferretti Group CEO.
With this acquisition, Ferretti now owns 100 per cent of its seven core brands: Ferretti Yachts, Riva, Pershing, Itama, CRN, Custom Line and Wally.
The group confirmed that the increased stake in Sea Lion aligns with its long-term strategy to consolidate and grow high-potential assets. Full ownership ensures unified quality, design consistency and operational efficiency across its global operations.
Bassani, who built the sailing yacht Wallygator in 1991, officially founded Wally in 1994.
The brand quickly gained acclaim for its innovations, including the first all-carbon sailing yacht, a hydraulic sail-trimming system, a submarine anchor and carbon fibre sails.
Wally later expanded into performance powerboats and displacement motoryachts, launching its first models in 2003 and 2012 respectively. The brand joined Ferretti seven years later, marking the occasion with the launch of the wallyender48.
More recently, wally101, a 31-metre full-custom carbon cruiser‑racer, was launched in April 2023, and hull 1 of the wallywind110 series, 33-metre performance sailing yacht Galma, took to the water in June 2024 and debuted at the Monaco Yacht Show that September.
According to Ferretti, the transaction has no material impact on the Group’s cash position and does not qualify as a related-party transaction under applicable regulations.
“On behalf of the Group, I reaffirm our commitment to enhancing and further developing a top-tier brand that, through its innovation and prestige, stands as a remarkable player in the international nautical industry,” adds Gallassi. “You will be hearing more about Wally very soon.”
Profile links
NEW: Sign up for SuperyachtNewsweek!
Get the latest weekly news, in-depth reports, intelligence, and strategic insights, delivered directly from The Superyacht Group's editors and market analysts.
Stay at the forefront of the superyacht industry with SuperyachtNewsweek
Click here to become part of The Superyacht Group community, and join us in our mission to make this industry accessible to all, and prosperous for the long-term. We are offering access to the superyacht industry’s most comprehensive and longstanding archive of business-critical information, as well as a comprehensive, real-time superyacht fleet database, for just £10 per month, because we are One Industry with One Mission. Sign up here.
Related news

Sunseeker jobs at risk following Trump’s tariffs
The Poole-based yacht builder could lose hundreds of its workforce amid ongoing challenging market conditions and US export issues
Business

The future of interior subcontractors – what needs to change?
If you’re a shipyard exec, new-build or refit lead, designer, project manager or an owner’s representative – we want to hear from you
Fleet

Italy’s top builders post steady Q1s as sector shifts
With strong backlogs and increased focus on bigger builds, Sanlorenzo, Ferretti and TISG offset macro headwinds in a cautious first quarter
Business

Ocibar acquires stake in Marina d’Arechi
In its first venture outside Spain, Ocibar has acquired a 25 per cent stake in Marina d’Arechi, located in Salerno, Italy
Business

A peek into the pockets
A look at the significance and quality of the 24 to 40-metre entry-level yachts, and what can be done to operate them more efficiently and safely
Owner

Tariff fallout hits superyacht sector as global stocks slip
Yacht builders including Ferretti, Sanlorenzo and TISG among those seeing multi-day declines following Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs
Business
Related news
Sunseeker jobs at risk following Trump’s tariffs
2 weeks ago
Ocibar acquires stake in Marina d’Arechi
3 months ago
A peek into the pockets
3 months ago
NEW: Sign up for
SuperyachtNewsweek!
Get the latest weekly news, in-depth reports, intelligence, and strategic insights, delivered directly from The Superyacht Group's editors and market analysts.
Stay at the forefront of the superyacht industry with SuperyachtNewsweek