News
Optimised for one-design regattas in the owner-skipper formula and as a competitive choice for crewed regattas under IRC/ORC rules, the new wallyrocket51 is an innovative model designed by Botin Partners and the result of the combination of that expertise and genius that have always defined the Wally brand and Luca Bassani, the Wally company’s Founder and Chief Designer.
“When I first founded Wally, my goal was to create sailing boats that were comfortable and easy to handle when cruising, but at the same time very fast when racing,” explains Luca Bassani. “Throughout the course of the last 30 years we have achieved nothing but success after success, but today, it is our opinion that the market is changing, demonstrating an increasingly clear divide between owners who are looking to purchase cruising units and others who want to race, and not only that, but race in an increasingly professional manner. This is why we decided to design and realise a monotype and, as we were very much aware that the ideal size for this type of boat is around 50 feet in length, we made sure to design the wallyrocket51 to measure 51.”
In addition to possessing a markedly race-oriented DNA, the wallyrocket51 retains the distinctive traits that make the Wally fleet truly stand out, resulting from the collaboration between Studio Santa Maria Magnolfi, Botin Partners and Wally itself.
The wallyrocket51 made its debut at the ORC National Championship of the Central and Southern Tyrrhenian Sea, finishing with an impressive three victories out of four races and first place overall. Next upcoming events include the Cowes-Dinard-Saint Malo (11th July) and the Admiral’s Cup (17th July – 1st August) with the Fastnet Race.
As for a few technical details, the wallyrocket51 is 15.50 metres long overall; 10.50 metres at the waterline. Her maximum beam is 4.30 metres, while her draft is 3.50 m. Displacement is 6,250 kg. Sail area up wind is 160 square metres while sail area down wind is 360 square metres.
