Wally boosts WHY range

Luxury yachts over 120 feet long used to be rare but today boats of that size and bigger are clogging marinas around the world, so it comes as a shock when one of the world's leading mega yacht builders announces they are scaling back their signature vessel.

Wally Yachts, which builds giant -- but easy to operate --yachts for European billionaires, startled the boating world a year ago when they announced they were building a new super yacht in conjunction with French luxury goods maker Hermes.

The WHY (Wally Hermes Yachts) project proposed building a wedge-shaped motor yacht 58 metres long and 38 metres wide across the stern. Using a hull shape developed by the Norwegian navy in the early 1990s called Ramform, the WHY group said the yacht, the WHY 58x38, would offer unsurpassed space, stability and reduced noise and vibration levels.

Six months later Hermes pulled out of the project saying they had no experience in the area but Wally continued on with new partners.

Now they have unveiled plans for a WHY 37x24, a smaller version of their amazing super yacht, designed for leisurely cruising around your favourite waterways.

WHY has yet to launch an actual boat but they built a full sized mock-up of the WHY 58x38 to show to potential buyers. After a lot of feedback they have now modified the original design to make it more environmentally friendly and able to carry more family and friends.

The roof is now flat and fitted with solar cells, the wheelhouse decks rearranged to fit two sky lounges and cabins for the captain and first officer. The owner's suite now has two bedrooms and the yacht can accommodate 16 people rather than 14. The swimming pool in the bow is wider as the helipad has been moved aft.

The WHY 37x24 will feature solar panels, a natural airflow to help the low-energy air-conditioning and systems to capture and re-use waste heat. The yacht will accommodate 10 guests and 15 crew. She will use diesel-electric propulsion systems and cruise at about 10 knots. Top speed will be a comfortable 11.5 knots.

WHY expects to have its first construction contract signed by the end of this year and hopes to launch its first vessel in 2013. Two European ands one American boat yard are bidding to be the builder. Check out Why-Yachts.com for other details.