Wally’s latest bespoke sailing creation has just passed a crucial construction milestone with the demoulding of the hull. The sleek carbon hull of the new 101-foot cruiser-racer was lifted out of its female mould. She is the fourth Wally for an experienced owner and inspired by the Wallycento box rule.
It is rare for one-off yachts at this scale to use female moulding, which is time-consuming to build. But the company says it was the right decision because a female mould ensures a near-perfect exterior finish. As a result, very little filler was needed to fair the hull, further eliminating unnecessary hull weight – a critical part of the owner’s brief.
It is still a heart-stopping moment in any big full-carbon boatbuilding project when the hull is revealed for the first time. The lines and exterior form are seen at last, and the quality of the construction is laid bare for all to see. Being a Wally, with minimal, flowing lines and easy power in its DNA, the new 101 was under intense scrutiny – something she bore with ease.
“This is the moment in the birth of a boat when her concept takes material shape for the first time and you get a glimpse of the vessel she will become. It is thrilling to watch,” says Wally Managing Director Stefano
de Vivo. “In this case, her purposeful bow and powerful lines promise exhilarating performance and spellbinding looks.”
Built using advanced pre-preg carbon fibre in a sandwich composite, the Wally 101 weighs just 56 tonnes.
That is some 20 per cent less than yachts of similar size and capabilities and comes in spite of a host of labour-saving technology. This includes Wally’s Magic Trim and Magic Traveller hydraulic systems.
Astonishingly, 40 per cent of her weight is from the lifting keel alone, promising eye-watering performance.
After demoulding, the hull was laid in a cradle and moved back undercover for the next stage of its transformation. Shipwrights are already installing the bulkheads that will divide up the interior space, with wiring, piping, tanks and other engineering foundations while the lightweight carbon deck is currently in mould.
