Milan, interior, day. In his office Luca Bassani, Wally Founder and Chief Designer, holds a large photo of the Wallygator II, the 32-metre ketch designed by Luca Brenta and launched in 1994. This 68-year-old, Milanese by birth, spent his childhood holidays in Portofino, went on to study at the Bocconi University and then joined the family business. The company was sold in 1989 and since that time he has devoted 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 turning point in yacht design.
As Bassani says, “My developments are based on the nucleus of ideas that perhaps already existed. Like a puzzle, I re-arrange its component parts to create a new design. An idea, new technology and new materials combine to generate a new, better, result”. Innovative construction, carbon fibre masts, hydraulic sail management, self-furling jib, new deck and interior spaces, owner’s cabin forward – 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 principally in function. Of course, you also have to possess a degree of sensitivity. When you design something better you should make it a little more beautiful, not just functional.
Do you see yourself as a designer or an inventor?
I’m not Archimedes, and I can’t draw. I design in my head, 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 derives from a logical process”.
In 2001 you introduced motor yachts into your portfolio. Why was this?
I began with sail yachts with the aim of creating simpler craft that were more comfortable and easier to handle, in order to persuade motor yacht owners to change. Then as a businessman I had to introduce motorised models. And here the challenge to overcome was to develop a hull that would have the same behaviour at sea. We carried out a lot of testing in the tank and applied this to Wallypower.
In the context of engines, what’s the environmentally-friendly solution?
There’s a lot of work to do on hulls, although there are limits. On multihulls it’s the marinas, even though at sea it’s much better to have long hulls rather than tall ones. They’re more attractive and comfortable.
And what about foils?
We’re working on them, but not in the context of sail yachts. You can’t fly and offer aesthetics, comfort and safety. We’re working on the level of motor tenders.
Can we say that Wally has transformed the world of design?
It’s opened many doors, like with the self-furling jib on the first Wallygator. It already existed, but the innovation was creating a large, light boat that didn’t require large sail areas, just the jib with a carbon fibre mast. Now it’s the standard.
Is there a project that’s not been built yet?
There are several yachts that I hope to build alongside the Ferretti Group. It was easier when I was alone – if I had a wild idea that wasn’t too crazy I did for myself and watched what the market said. Now it’s different. But as they’re all good ideas they’ll become reality sooner or later. It may be an idea from ten or twenty years ago, but in the end…
The final question. Do you know what kind of person Luca Bassani is?
Someone who likes to solve problems. He loves to discover a problem and find a way to solve it. He can shrug off the inevitable failures, secure in the knowledge that the future will bring more successes, other beautiful things to do.
Emilio Martinelli
