Wally launches world's largest carbon-fibre sloop

Yesterday, Wally launched the world’s largest carbon-fibre sloop, the 50.5m Bugatti blue sailing yacht Better Place.

The private launching ceremony took place in Ancona, Italy, where the yacht was built at the WallyEurope facility, and began with the owner’s wife partaking in the customary step of smashing of the champagne bottle on the keel bulb.

“With Better Place, once again Wally opens a new route in yacht design and innovation,” said Luca Bassani Antivari, founder and president of Wally. “We succeeded in delivering an environmentally friendly and breakthrough Wally 50m with aggressive and sleek lines of a true performance sailing yacht, rather than the motor sailor look typical of this class of yachts.”

Better Place is the first sailing yacht developed to comply with the environmental requirements of the RINA Green Star Design additional class notation, reserved for ships that have been designed, constructed and operated in a way respectful of the environment. She is also the first sailing yacht equipped with the latest diesel electric propulsion technology, in order to increase power efficiency and reduce consumption, noise and vibration. Its 750kW power is produced by three generators and offers the opportunity to convert some hydraulic services into electrical ones.

The yacht's measured displacement is just 250 tonnes. “The displacement and sail area ratio would provide for very high performance in light airs, under 10 knots of wind,” predicted Bassani. “And, the Wally lifting keel, increasing the draft from 4.6m to 6.5m, further improves Better Place’s performance.”





As well as the yacht’s in-furling boom, self-tracking jib, Magic Trim for the main sheet, captive winch for the jib sheet, and push button controls, Better Place’s easy-sailing features also include the new staysail system. The system, which has been developed by Wally’s research and development team, means the no-torsion luff cable is readily available for its easy and fast hoist from its 8.6m-long locker in the forward deck.

With naval architecture by Tripp Design Naval Architecture and interior design by Wetzels Brown Partners, Better Place has been developed following the Wally concept of inside-outside living areas where both areas open onto each other. She includes Wally’s raised bulwark, and a 62sqm owner’s suite which itself has a 30sqm terrace. She also features two large tender garages, and colour-changing LED lights are used throughout the yacht.

Better Place has a scheduled delivery date of the end of June, at which time her owners will use her to cruise the Mediterranean.

Specifications of Better Place:
LOA: 50.5m (165'7")
Beam: 10.25m
Draught: 6.5m
Design: Wally / Luca Bassani
Naval architecture: Tripp Design Naval Architecture
Interior design: Wetzels Brown Partners



Related Links

Wally Profile | Wally Website

Tripp Design Naval Architecture Profile | Tripp Design Naval Architecture Website

Wetzels Brown Partners Profile | Wetzels Brown Partners Website

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