WHY
(Wally Hermès Yachts) is the stunning result of a joint venture signed in June of
2008, between the ultra-expensive luxury brand Hermès, and one of the world's
premiere yacht builders, Wally. Certainly one of the most radical boat designs
I've ever seen, WHY defies all convention.
THE
WHY 58×38
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Spotted by Luca Bassani Antivari, the tried and tested Norwegian Ramform hull,
characterised by exceptional and unprecedented stability and volume revealed
itself as the ideal choice to be adapted to the WHY 58×38 project
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Following this unique adaptation, the decks and the interiors were developed in
accordance with the fundamental credo of WHY, 'form-equals-function'
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This credo spurned numerous innovations in the world of mega yachts: patios
generously flooding the interior with natural light, photovoltaic panels on the
glass hull sides, a roof opening like Venetian blinds, a 25 meter-long (82 feet) forward end
swimming pool, and a 36-meter (118
feet) aft deck beach
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The interior of the yacht is fitted out with water resistant buffalo leather
using the calpinage technique
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The yacht, which took years in the making, has been tested in Gotebourg, Sweden,
in a specialized tank testing facility, to see how it would perform in big
seas. The outcome is that, in full swell, the bow moves a tiny bit and the
stern stays completely still
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Anchored, the boat creates a totally flat surface behind it, like an
olympic-size pool where you can swim in total peace.
SUSTAINABILITY
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"We are very interested in creating a yacht that will have a low
environmental impact", says Pierre-Alexis Dumas. "Its relationship
with the sea must be respectful and easy. WHY intends to offer a new way of
moving over water by creating an innovative way of managing and recycling its
sources and uses of energy"
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"If you want to go totally ecological, the only solution is sailing. The
reality is that today, 90 % of the market is powerboats, echoes Luca Bassani
Antivari. Our aim is to reduce diesel consumption per year and per yacht: 20 to
30 % for propulsion and 40 to 50 % for generation"
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Thanks to its specific hull, WHY 58×38 requires less power at cruising speed
than a boat of equal size. Its diesel-electric propulsion is the most efficient
motorisation today, and the surface of the photovoltaic panels, almost 900 square metres,
covers most of the boat's auxiliary system needs
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In comparison to a yacht of the same size, WHY 58×38 has been conceived to
reduce drastically its energy consumption, saving up to 200 tons of diesel per
year
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The WHY R & D program includes tank testing for hull stability in the SSPA
facilities in Sweden, and the construction of a full-scale mock-up in order to
allow the design team to fine tune the living areas correctly in accordance
with the hull's unique shape
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The WHY 58X38 yacht looks very unfamiliar but it remains on a human scale.
Space is the greatest luxury on the sea, but I believe the new luxury will be
the time to enjoy it", concludes Pierre-Alexis Dumas.
