Titans of Yachting: Camper & Nicholson International, Edmiston Yacht Company, Christensen Yachts

Luca Bassani
Wally

Luca Bassani is the Italian visionary and founder of the maritime design company Wally, a brand renowned for designing and building quality crafted sailing yachts with a modern flair. Wally Yachts are easily identifiable at marinas all over the world and are well received by both sailing professionals and the general public. Recently, Bassani switched gears and has begun focusing on motor yachts, producing a highly impressive line of vessels that push the envelope in progressive style and function.

HAUTE LIVING What attracted you to the yachting industry?
LUCA BASSANI Yachting has been my passion since I was a child. I wanted to turn my passion into a business.

HL What were your company’s yearly sales for 2007? Forecast for 2008?
LB In 2007 my company’s sales were $45 million. In 2008 they are projected to reach $55 million.

HL What are your tactics for staying at the top of the industry?
LB We love to innovate and we love quality. Every year we keep introducing new boats and new ideas.

HL Which is your favorite yacht on the water today? Why?
LB Well I have two boats in mind, and they are both Wallys: the 118-foot WallyPower and a 143-foot Wally creation. They’re my favorite because they are the most modern, the cleanest, and the most aesthetically pleasing.

HL What was the most outrageous/over-the-top request you have received from a client?
LB I’ve received a lot of outrageous requests. I’m not going to say one because the client might recognize his yacht. Usually they come with absolutely unfeasible requests, and they come with strength and a conviction that we can do it very easily.

HL What are some of the current trends you are seeing in the yachting industry?
LB The main trends have to do with the interior design.  I haven’t seen many different trends when dealing with the exterior.

HL What is one piece of advice you always give to your clients?
LB I always tell them that they are very lucky to be able to spend such a large amount of money. When you have this chance in your life to build such enormous yachts, you need to leave something in the history of yachting. Don’t build a boat that’s been built a thousand times. Try to build something new and original, something in which you can leave your own signature on the history of yachting.

HL Tell us one thing most people wouldn’t know about you.
LB Oh-la-la! I don’t know what people don’t already know. I have a
secret garden!

HL You’ll never be found without your…
LB Handkerchief.

HL Where can we find you on a Friday night?
LB Usually I’m traveling in a car, boat, or plane somewhere for the weekend.

HL What are your favorite vacation destinations and/or leisure activities?
LB During summertime I like to go to Corsica on my boat, and in the wintertime St. Moritz.

HL What features of a yacht do you feel are necessary luxuries?
LB Having the best crew, that’s the real luxury.

HL What is your favorite name for a yacht?
LB After so many names I really love the name Tiketitan. I was building a boat that I only wanted to be two colors, teak and titanium, and I kept saying “teak and titanium, teak and titanium.” It became Tiketitan.

HL When it comes to yacht size, is there such a thing as too big?
LB Yes, I think a yacht can be too big.  Anything over 500 feet is too big.

HL What is the biggest challenge that you have faced in the industry?
LB That would be to go against everyone else in the industry. Every time that I build a new boat with a new idea it’s a big challenge, because everyone is against me.

HL What is the “next big thing” we can expect to see from your company?
LB The next big thing is the WallyIsland and all the concepts around this boat.  For me the WallyIsland is a new attitude.