Superb racing prowess combined with expansive deck space, exceptionally comfortable interiors and fast, slick cruising.
Wally Class
That’s the exhilarating and exciting cocktail promised by the Wallycentos. And, of course, the brain behind them, Wally founder and president Luca Bassani Antivari, who sums the craft up as follows: “Being able to sail complete comfort as fast as one of the top maxi racers and also in compete at the very highest levels is what every sailor dreams about.
The Wallycentos are the first and only superyachts to make that dream come true.” A prospect that dazzled and seduced the owner of the third Wallycento, Galateia. “We wanted a yacht that was a response to a frenetic lifestyle,” the American sailing devotee explains. “A simple space with no distractions and minimalist furnishings. We wanted to be able to stay in contact with nature and to cruise our favourite places: Italy, Greece, Croatia, Spain. On top of all that, we wanted to have fun competing with other friends in the Wally Class.
Wally Class
So we asked for a modern, easy-to-handle cruising superyacht with the performance of a maxi-racer. A yacht that would deliver the thrill of speed even in the Mediterranean’s medium breezes.”
That fairly daunting string of requests formed after the owner saw Magic Carpet3, the Wallycento penned by John Reichel and Jim Pugh which was the second in the series after Hamilton (now Open Season, ed.’s note).
Wally Class
Essentially, this third addition is an evolution of Magic Carpet3. “Galateia is a real leap forward in the lifting keel superyacht world,” explains Jim Pugh. “The owner really liked Magic Carpet3’s performance and aesthetic. He definitely wanted something similar but more high performance. So our aim was to create a new Wallycento generation.
To boost performance, we had to revise and develop every aspect of the project: naval architecture, structural engineering, hull, sail plan and appendages. We also had to do all that in combination with optimising weight to deliver a ligher boat overall.”
Galateia was built by Green Marine in England and, thanks to all that work, has a displacement that is almost 1.5 tonnes lighter than Magic Carpet3. Her interiors are by successful interior design Alexia Leuschen, who also happens to be the owner’s wife and was thus perfectly positioned to interpret his and the family’s tastes. She worked hand-in-glove with AIM Yachts Interiors, the project manager and Struik & Hamerslag.
Once again, the challenge was staying mindful of weight when crafting Galateia’s interior styling too. That meant Leuschen had to create her own take on the linear purity shared by all Luca Bassani’s yachts. Exterior-wise, that boils down to lots of uncluttered deck space thanks to the easy-sailing philosophy that is a Wally signature. Interior-wise, Leuschen has created a style that has a 1950s feel.
The layout is straightforward with the central living area linked directly to the 10-seater guest cockpit. The dining area, featuring a Martino Gamper table, is to port. To starboard are a large sofa and the nav area. The owner’s suite is forward of this space as are the two twin guest cabins.
The style is personal in the extreme thanks to a host of clever details dropped into the overall look. These include linen-trimmed wall panels that hint at sails and, of course, lamps, appliques and accessories that reference design greats Giò Ponti, Charlotte Perriand and Le Corbusier. The two crew cabins, service areas and tender garage all lie aft, completing Galateia’s interiors.
The interior colour palette reflects that of the exterior, combining natural and light hues with pastel wood inserts that lend a vintage feel. The detailing and standard of cabinetry right throughout Galateia are exceptional too. Luxe Tanganyika walnut, for instance, is used for the floorings, while the closets and bureaus are in wonderfully-scented cedar wood.
Occasional carbon-fibre elements, however, provide a reminder that Galateia is actually a high-tech superyacht. All in all, this is a palette comprising not just materials but also exemplifying a sophisticated and clever dosing of performance, comfort, technologies and seductive flourishes that make both Galateia and the whole Wallycento absolutely unique
