Published: 27-05-2010
Since the successful launching of September 22, 2009, WHY, the innovative project focused on unprecedented stability, unparalleled volume and sustainability, has been further developed improving the design, introducing the new WHY37x24, and finalising the engineering as well as the construction plan. As a result of the eight month sustained activity of the design and commercial departments, the highly acclaimed WHY is entering the operating phase according to schedule.
Now that the groundbreaking design of WHY is finalised, specialist superyacht brokerage houses YCO and Yachting Partners International (YPI Group) have been selected as exclusive business development and sales partners for the project, to create the WHY Commercial Management Team.
Wally, YCO and YPI will work together closely to implement the commercial and marketing activity of WHY worldwide, fully exploiting its potential in the mega and giga yacht markets.
“Over only eight months WHY generated an exceptional media coverage and produced some very interested prospects” comments Luca Bassani, Wally President and WHY mastermind. “This unprecedented success in the yachting industry shows that WHY is a leading product requiring the best commercial management to capitalise its positioning. The goal is to sign the first contract in 2010, as originally planned, and launch the first unit in 2013”.
“We fell in love with this project for all sorts of design and environmental reasons,” says Bertrand Vogèle, CEO of the YPI Group. “It responds to a number of demands so many clients, passionate about the sea, ask of our industry. WHY can change the way we think and act as an industry and a society. We look forward to presenting WHY around the world.”
“We instantly knew that the WHY project would capture the imagination of the industry" said Gary Wright, Managing Partner of YCO. "It will enable Clients and their guests to enjoy the luxury of an extraordinarily large yacht whilst cruising almost silently in great comfort, all the time remaining considerate of the environment. YCO has always been an innovative company and we are delighted to be introducing such a revolutionary concept to the market.”
Design
The 1:1 mock-up of WHY58x38 was built in Ancona, Italy as an essential tool of the intensive R&D programme. The possibility to test the innovative design ideas in real size, has lead to some modifications of the original project.
The Design Team has improved five different main features:
1.
the shape of the Venetian blind sliding roof that support the 900 sqm photovoltaic panels, has been changed to a flat surface rather than rounded as it was before. The new design maximises the efficiency of the panels and provides for the full exploitation of the living areas of the terraces.
As a result, the roof now includes fixed parts (wheelhouse roof and lateral sections of each terrace roofs) and seven movable parts (three identical ones on the Upper Deck roof and on the Owner’s deck roof, and one on the Wheelhouse Deck roof that can be only orientated but not retracted)
2.
the interior area aft the Wheelhouse has been fully exploited: the new layout of this area features two guest lounges along with the Captain and the First Officer cabins.
3.
the proportion between interior and exterior volumes of the Upper and Owner decks has been revised to further increase the interiors: the new accommodation layout provides for the Owner’s suite with two double cabins, and six guest cabins, for a total of 16 guests.
4.
the deck walk-around has been improved reducing the gradient to 8 degrees max; the result has been obtained by lowering the Wheelhouse deck level of approx 40cm and by moving the start of the ramp aft
5.
he forward swimming pool has been widened by reducing the bulwark and moving slightly aft the helipad.
Size range
The new WHY 37x24 (37m long and 24m wide) is developed to complete the range, offering the same concept in the smaller segment.
Like the larger 58x38, the hydrodynamics of the 37x24 are designed by Roar Ramde, the Norwegian naval engineer who developed the Ramform vessels, Mauro Sculli and Claudio Cicconetti, naval architects.
WHY 37x24 provides for the same unique and unparallel characteristics as the WHY58x38, from every point of view: design, stability, sustainability and volumes. This model features three decks and accommodates up to 10 guests and 15 crew.
The living area is 1,000 sqm. The target price is between 42 and 46million EUR.
Engineering and construction
The complete and exhaustive Preliminary technical dossier of the 58x38 that includes the ProShip and RINA plans, is ready to be submitted and quoted by the three selected shipyards (one in the USA, two in Europe).
The outcome of the consultations defining price and building times, is expected for July 2010.