Luca Bassani, founder and chief designer of Wally, holds a large photo of the Wallygator II, the 32-meter ketch designed by Luca Brenta and launched in 1994. This 68-year-old, originally from Milan, spent his childhood holidays in Portofino, went on to study at Bocconi University, and then joined the family business. After the company was sold in 1989, he dedicated himself to his passion for yachts. In 1991, he launched the first Wally, an 83-foot sloop designed by Brenta. He founded Wally in 1994 and launched the Wallygator II, a milestone in yacht design.
As Bassani says, “My developments are based on a nucleus of ideas that perhaps already existed. Like a puzzle, I rearrange its components to create a new design. An idea, new technology, and new materials combine to generate a better result.” Innovative construction, carbon fiber masts, hydraulic sail management, a self-furling jib, new deck and interior spaces, and an owner’s cabin positioned forward – the Wallygator II was the embodiment of Bassani’s drive for innovation.
But what is the central element of his work – form, function, or beauty?
Function, because improvement lies primarily in functionality. Of course, you also have to have a degree of sensitivity. When you design something better, it’s important to make it a bit more beautiful, not just functional.
Luca Bassani with Gran Dalton onboard Nariida – ph Guilain Grenier
Do you see yourself as a designer or an inventor?
I’m not Archimedes, and I can’t draw. I design in my head, and then I need someone to give shape to the idea. I introduce small innovations into the design of the sail, hull, and mast, too. Innovation always arises from a logical process.
In 2001, you introduced motor yachts into your portfolio. Why was this?
I began with sail yachts, aiming to create simpler crafts that were more comfortable and easier to handle, in order to persuade motor yacht owners to switch. Then, as a businessman, I had to introduce motorized models. The challenge was to develop a hull that would behave similarly at sea. We conducted extensive testing in a tank and applied this to Wallypower.
Wally Power 75 Checkmate
In the context of engines, what’s the environmentally-friendly solution?
There’s much work to be done on hulls, although there are limits. For multihulls, it’s the marinas—at sea, it’s far better to have long hulls rather than tall ones. They’re more appealing and comfortable.
Wallywhy 200
And what about foils?
We’re working on them, but not in the context of sail yachts. You can’t achieve flight while also providing aesthetics, comfort, and safety. We are developing them for motor tenders.
Wallycento Tango
Can we say that Wally has transformed the world of design?
It has opened many doors, like the self-furling jib on the first Wallygator. It already existed, but the innovation was in creating a large, lightweight boat that didn’t require large sail areas, just the jib with a carbon fiber mast. Now, it’s the standard.
Is there a project that hasn’t been built yet?
There are several yachts I hope to build alongside the Ferretti Group. It was easier when I was on my own – if I had a wild idea that wasn’t too crazy, I did it for myself and waited to see how the market would respond. Now it’s different. But since they’re all good ideas, they will become a reality sooner or later. It might be an idea from ten or twenty years ago, but in the end…
Better Place – ph Carlo Borlenghi
The final question. Do you know what kind of person Luca Bassani is?
Someone who loves to solve problems. He enjoys discovering a problem and finding a way to solve it. He can shake off inevitable failures, confident that the future will bring more successes and other beautiful things to create.