Wally’s new Wallyrocket51 aims to be ‘world’s fastest race boat’
Images courtesy of Maurizio Paradisi.
The Wallyrocket51, the first pure racing sailing model developed by Wally, has been launched. The Italian boatbuilder, a Ferretti Group brand, says its latest yacht is designed to achieve high performance in various competitive settings, including IRC and ORC racing, with attention to detail for optimised speed and handling.
Wally’s technical department spent five months planning the boat with the designers and suppliers. This ensures that the boat can be produced identically in future, a hallmark of pure one-design racing.
Wally says the Wallyrocket51 is set to outperform even the TP52, with the yacht aiming to become the world’s fastest race boat on corrected time.
With a length of 15.5 metres and an ultra-light displacement of 6.3 tonnes, the Wallyrocket51 features a refined hull design created in collaboration with Botin Partners, known for its work in the America’s Cup and success in the 50- and 100-foot classes. The design incorporates features such as a trim tab to enhance upwind lift and reduce drag, contributing to its competitive edge.
The Wallyrocket51 is designed for ease of manoeuvrability, even with a reduced crew of 11. It includes water ballast at the stern to improve stability, while the deck layout is structured to facilitate handling with minimal crew. The sail plan comprises 167 square metres for upwind sailing and 363 square metres for downwind sailing, made from advanced materials including pre-preg carbon, Nomex and Corecell. Wally says these materials contribute to the boat’s high level of technological sophistication and competitive capability.
