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Some of the world’s top yachting visionaries share what they think about behind closed doors.
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08/01/2007
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Like the auto industry’s concept cars, which arouse passions in
aficionados but rarely enter production, many of the most creative yacht designs
never feel the effervescent plop of a champagne bottle on their bows. It’s
unfortunate that the fertile imaginations of the best yacht designers and
visionaries often are constrained by the needs and desires of the owners who
hire them.
We asked some of the world’s leading designers and builders to
share with us an idea they’ve cooked up in their studies at home or in their
cars commuting or during downtime in their studios. Each had at least one pet
project in his private portfolio he thought might stimulate you to think off the
traveled road when the time comes for your next build. Here are their ideas and
comments in their own words.
What about a megayacht where you comfortably live on board as
you would on your own estate; where you have a piece of land that you can use to
play your favorite sport, to grow your favorite plants, to enjoy your favorite
outdoor activity? What about a megayacht you move around to your favorite
destinations without the burden of having to get into port to refuel; a
megayacht that is 99 meters (325 feet) long, but costs what a 60-meter
does?
 Luca Bassani. (Click image to enlarge)
WallyIsland is just such a vessel. With all the comforts and
amenities to live on board full time, it is completely independent and
self-sufficient and features improved nautical characteristics compared to those
of similar-size yachts.
Yachtbuilding costs are generated by volume. WallyIsland is
developed on length rather than on height, thus reducing the price and at the
same time improving stability. The yacht is sleeker and features a huge forward
deck area of 1,000 square meters that can be devoted to different uses (tennis
court, mini-soccer court, garden with swimming pool, helipads, etc.). The
swimming pool at the forward end is extra large, and the entire deck area is
perfect for events. The price of WallyIsland is very competitive also because
she is characterized by a "commercial" look. With no fairing and paint, the
yacht resembles a tanker. The huge fuel tanks (198,129 U.S. gallons) are located
in the lower part of the yacht and provide for a 15,000-nautical-mile range at
cruising speed (equivalent to five years of navigation).The superstructure of WallyIsland is aft and is designed in the
style of an airport control tower. It features three decks: upper deck,
owner’s deck and bridge deck. Three more decks are in the hull: main deck, cabin
deck, and service and salon deck. The lower deck is for the engine room, the
systems and the fuel tanks. (Click images to enlarge)
The aft cockpit deck is dedicated to the outdoor storage of the
tenders—two 47 WallyPowers—and all the water toys. The area has enough space for
two sailing boats and two or more tender cars. Two cranes can easily move all
these items.
The interior features the main salon, the living/dining room,
the guest accommodations (owner’s suite plus six double king-size suites that
can be transformed into 12 suites for 24 guests), the library, cinema, spa, and
wellness and fitness area. Another revolutionary feature of WallyIsland is
that the guest and crew cabins are fitted inside the topsides. This new concept
provides for two independent service corridors, and for an easier construction
of the cabins.
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