On Board Review

Wally wallywhy150 Review (2023 Edition)

At the 2023 Cannes Yacht Show, the wallywhy150 made its world premiere, and it's set to redefine what you can expect from a sub-24-metre yacht.

Wally has long been a benchmark of advanced design, and now, the wallywhy150 joins the ranks, pushing the envelope even further. Following in the footsteps of the wallywhy200, the wallywhy150 condenses the winning formula into a more compact footprint.

You still get that impressive full-length top deck, a main deck owner's cabin, and one of the most spectacular interiors you're likely to find in this sector. Powered by triple Volvo IPS, this yacht promises excellent performance. We managed to line up a full tour, so read on.

Wally wallywhy150 Key Facts

Wally wallywhy150 illustration
  • LOA 78.707ft
  • Model Year 2023
  • Cabins 4
  • Crew 4
  • Max Speed 23 knots
  • Status In Production
  • Yacht Type Cruiser
  • Use Type Cruising

Review Video

Design & Build

The wallywhy150 debuted at the 2023 Venice Boat Show and is the next in line after the 2021 wallywhy200. Designed by Wally-Ferretti Group Engineering with interior design by Studio A. Vallicelli & C Yacht Design, the wallywhy150 maintains the characteristics of its older and bigger sister but in a more compact 24m (79ft), 150 GT package.

Wally wanted to emphasise the exterior spaces and once onboard, this is quite apparent. The sundeck offers a complete dining option, a bar, a kitchen with a grill, fridges, and all the open-air living amenities one could wish for. It's absolutely enormous for its size. Access to the top deck is straightforward with two entry points: one interior route through the bridge and a hatch, and another via an exterior staircase. This top deck stretches almost the entire length of the boat. 

Wally-Why150-overhead
The iconic Wally shape is in a league of its own
Wally-Why150-saloon-view-in
There is a great connection between cockpit and saloon
Wally-Why150-foredeck
The compromise of this design is a lack of foredeck space

The main deck's integration between the cockpit and saloon is truly extraordinary. You are greeted by a massive aperture with a huge door, a flat flush threshold, and grates for water drainage if you happen to take a wave over the aft deck. This design ensures a wonderful indoor/outdoor transition.

Inside, the wide-body design with its 7m (22ft) beam and floor-to-ceiling glass floods the flexible dining and lounging space of the main saloon with light and it has an almost unheard-of 2.5m (8ft) of headroom, that carries through to the main-deck owner's cabin. The hallways are surprisingly spacious and practical, providing ample wardrobe storage leading forward to the owner's cabin.

Wally-Why150-bow
The hull shape and IPS propulsion make for efficient progress © Gilles Martin-Raget

The layout options on the lower deck are versatile. You can choose between two big double cabins or a three-cabin layout featuring two doubles and a twin. The latter layout is the one we toured and it provides identical double cabins fore and aft, with an adjacent twin.

Interior Accommodation

The wallywhy150 has a dining area that really blends indoor and outdoor living as it has prime positioning close to the yacht's flush threshold. The space is connected to its surroundings because of the double-height windows and vast doors that flood the space with natural light, creating extraordinary visuals for a yacht of this size.

There is 2.5m (over 8ft) of headroom in the dining area and the wooden panelling on the ceiling curves upwards, following the deck's movement up to the mezzanine. There's even a double-sided television mounted here, allowing you to enjoy your favourite shows from the dining area or the sofa up in the mezzanine.

Talking about the mezzanine space, this area overlooks the dining area and, thanks to those double-height windows, offers stunning views out over the water. But the real treat is the sofa seating area, well positioned to take in the vista. Imagine sitting here on a cool evening, gazing out over the back of the boat — it's awesome.

Wally-Why150-jack-saloon-door
The unbroken connection between deck and saloon
Wally-Why150-saloon-lounge
The saloon furniture embraces the view aft
Wally-Why150-saloon-dining

Owner’s Cabin

Thanks to the wrap-around 270-degree glass in the owner's cabin on the wallywhy150, the views are glorious. The connection to your surroundings, an essential part of this why project, is fabulously realised in this space. Imagine waking up, lying in bed, and gazing out those incredible windows — tremendous, isn't it?

Of course, you can get some shade and privacy with the blinds and curtains, but the natural light and panoramic views are too good to miss. There's even a TV that pops up, so you can enjoy a bit of entertainment while relaxing in bed.

As cabins go on a boat of this size, it really doesn’t get much better. Now, let's talk about the ensuite. Spectacular! With extraordinary headroom, twin sinks, and an enormous shower cubicle complete with a built-in seat and a rain showerhead. The view from the shower is almost as good as the one from the bed.

Wally-Why150-owner-cabin-windows
Outstanding views from the owner's cabin, forward
Wally-Why150-owner-cabin-detail
Wally-Why150-owner-cabin-ensuite
Twin sinks in the owner's ensuite

Guest Accommodation

The twin cabin of the wallywhy150 is amidships and, despite being tucked away, it boasts a surprising amount of floor space and two good-sized single beds. Natural light floods in through a generous window, which shows that even in the bowels of the boat, you don't miss out on daylight. Each cabin, including this twin, comes equipped with a wall-mounted television. And let's not forget, every cabin has its own bathroom, featuring separate shower cubicles. You can rest assured, that the fit and finish are consistent throughout. Headroom? Lovely, no issues to worry about there.

In the double cabins, the beds are arranged across the boat, providing a cosy yet spacious feel. Plenty of storage with double wardrobes on one side. The suede headlining transitions smoothly into the bedside table, giving a very stylish look. The lighting is spot on, with a mix of spotlights and subtle under-lighting that works brilliantly. The bathroom, accessed via a sliding partition door to save space, continues the theme of great headroom and has a separate shower cubicle. 

Wally-Why150-staircase
Wally-Why150-double-cabin
The double guest cabin
Wally-Why150-twin-cabin
The twin guest cabin with ensuite

Crew Space

The crew accommodation is located right forward on the lower deck beneath the owner's cabin. Although there's no direct connection to the machinery space from this area — a bit of a downside —the height of the bow provides lots of headroom. For a sub-24m (79ft) boat, the crew quarters are pretty good, even if there’s no dedicated crew mess.

The cabins, split on either side of the bow, are identical and come with a couple of bunks and a bit of storage. Bathrooms are situated right forward. On the plus side, crew members have really easy access to the galley from here.

Wally-Why150-galley-fridge
Wally-Why150-galley
The main deck galley connects to the lower deck crew space

Galley

The galley is on the portside and can be either made to be open by removing the bulkhead for a more connected feel, ideal for a family setting. However, on a crewed boat, you might prefer it closed off to offer some privacy for the crew, who have their quarters close by down below.

In its current configuration, the galley is a nice U-shape, featuring a big domestic fridge freezer and all the cooking appliances on one side, including a hob. The windows are well-aligned with the internal spaces, giving good natural light and a nice view out. 

Helm Station

The helm station of the wallywhy150 is seriously cool. The entranceway feels like stepping into a spaceship, with angular glasswork leading you down into the heart of the beast. The view from up here is absolutely lovely; on a nearly 24m (79ft) yacht, you're high above the waterline with a beam running right down the middle and a huge piece of glass arching overhead and dropping deep forward. It’s an incredible spot to command the vessel.

Wally-Why150-helm-throttle
IPS brings joystick control
Wally-Why150-wheelhouse-sofa
Wally-Why150-wheelhouse
The view from the helm is like no other
Wally-Why150-helm-seats-detail
The high-backed seats look great and are comfortable

The tiny carbon fibre Wally steering wheel and dash at the helm are complemented by massive Simrad MFDs — a tech-lovers dream. These helm seats, which we first saw on the wallypower58, are just as fabulous here.  

There is only so much you can learn about helm stations on a static boat, but just standing here gives you a wonderful sensation of control. The triple IPS setup ensures a smooth, efficient cruising experience with a top speed of 23 knots, and there's joystick control. 

On Deck

The swim platform can drop down into the water, allowing the tender to float off. As it descends, steps are revealed, so when it's down, there's still access up into the cockpit.

Once in the cockpit, there's a smart seating area where the seats have two-way backrests — allowing them to either face out over the water or turn around to look into the saloon. There's also a convenient side door on the starboard side for access when moored side-to at a pontoon or high quay.

Wally-Why150-swim-platform-down
The hydraulic platform slides down the transom into the water © Gilles Martin-Raget
Wally-Why150-swim-platform-up

Upper Deck

At the aft, this area serves as more of an extension to the cockpit and features lovely aft-facing sofas, providing that all-important vista out over the back of the boat. It's a perfect spot for sunbathing, with ample space that works very, very nicely.

Wally-Why150-upper-deck-dining
The dining table has protection from the hard top

Moving forward, you'll find wing stations on both sides, giving the skipper the flexibility to control the boat from either side. Thanks to the IPS joystick, the control system is incredibly effective, offering a smooth handling experience despite the three engines, making the skipper’s job easier while providing a good view on both sides.

Wally-Why150-upper-deck-bar
Wally-Why150-upper-aft-seating
The seating on the flybridge faces aft

There is an alfresco dining area alongside a nice big wet bar complete with a grill, sink, storage, and cooling space underneath. This lovely table sits under the shade of an amazing hardtop, which is a design highlight. The hardtop's spurs and connecting beams link to the top of the superstructure, creating a sort of glass house that characterises the boat's profile. 

Engine Room

The engine room of the wallywhy150 houses a trio of Volvo Penta IPS 1350s. This space onboard is the one area that has made the sacrifice for all the high headroom up top. Now, despite this and the fact that there are three engines, the layout allows for easy movement around the systems. You can access all the major components, even the generator which is tucked over to one side.

Wally-Why150-engine-room-jack
There's under 6ft of head room in the engine room
Wally-Why150-engine-room

The big SeaKeeper stabiliser is mounted neatly under the platform, so straightforward to reach if needed. The arrangement of the three engines and their pods proves to be incredibly user-friendly. The exposed pods are easy to inspect and effortless to navigate around for any necessary maintenance. The primary focus here is on A) efficient packaging by pushing the engines further back in the boat compared to traditional shaft drives and B) the enhanced performance that IPS technology brings.

Our Verdict

First impressions? The connection between the cockpit and saloon is absolutely enormous and has one of the most spectacular interiors you'll ever see on a yacht this size. The floor-to-ceiling glass and 2.5m headroom make the saloon feel open and airy, and merges outdoors-in with the cockpit due to the flush decking.

On the upper deck, the smart use of space continues with a dining area, wet bar, and lounging space all under a stylish hardtop. The helm station is something out of a spaceship with its carbon fibre dash and commanding view out over the bow.

Guest accommodations are equally impressive, offering flexible layouts with the option for either two big doubles or three cabins. The owner’s cabin, with its 270-degree wrap-around glass, offers glorious views that make waking up on this yacht an absolute treat.

The wallywhy150 is a floating penthouse, pushing design boundaries and has set a new benchmark for yachts in this size range.

Reasons to Buy

  • Wide body design
  • Incredible headroom
  • Spaceship wheelhouse
  • 270-degree owner's view

Things to Consider

  • Limited crew space
  • Divisive styling

Looking to own a Wally wallywhy150? Use YachtBuyer’s Market Watch to compare all new and used Wally wallywhy150 Boats for sale worldwide. You can also order a new Wally wallywhy150, customized to your exact specifications, with options for engine choice and layout configuration. Alternatively, explore our global listings of new and used boats for sale and find your perfect boat today!

Rivals to Consider

When it comes to selecting the perfect yacht, it's all about personal choice. The wallywhy150, with its semi-displacement hull, delivers speeds up to 23 knots and has already claimed two awards in 2023 — for "Best Motor Yacht under 21-24m" and "Most Avant-Garde". But how does it stack up against its rivals?

For guest accommodation, the wallywhy150 offers a well-appointed four-cabin layout, comfortably hosting up to eight guests. This includes a standout master cabin with an ensuite bathroom. However, the Princess X80 slightly edges out with the capacity to sleep up to 10 guests in five cabins, ideal for those looking to maximise the number of family and friends onboard. Meanwhile, the Bluegame BG74 caters to smaller groups of six guests but still delivers an outstanding level of comfort for family vacations.

In terms of performance, the wallywhy150 cruises steadily at 20 knots. It's a smooth and stable ride, prioritising comfort over sheer speed. However, if you're after something a bit faster, the Princess X80 offers an impressive cruising speed of 25 knots, and the Bluegame BG74 hits a respectable 27 knots. On the other end of the spectrum, the Numarine 22 XP cruises leisurely at 9 knots, emphasising stability over a rapid dash to the destination.

Each rival brings its unique traits to the table. The Numarine 22 XP has an extensive range of 2,000nm, perfect for long voyages. The Arcadia Sherpa 80 and Extra Yachts X76 Loft feature shallow drafts, allowing access to waters typically off-limits to deeper vessels. The Bluegame BG74 focuses on performance and efficiency, while the Princess X80 tops the raw performance chart with a maximum speed of 31 knots. The Numarine 22 XP has the largest gross tonnage of 149 GT among its peers.

When considering a new (or indeed used) yacht, it's worth having a look at the alternatives in the wallywhy range or its competitors. The right choice will always depend on what you value most in your yachting experience.

Considering a new boat? Explore Wally 's entire current range to find the model that best suits your needs, and compare it with alternatives from competitors to ensure you make the perfect choice.

Specifications

  • Length Overall 78.707ft
  • Beam 22.244ft
  • Draft(full load) 6.562ft
  • Hull GRP
  • Cabins 4
  • Berths 5
  • Crew 4
  • Cruising Speed
  • Max Speed
  • Fuel Capacity 2,378 Gallons
  • Fresh Water Capacity 528 Gallons
  • Engine Model 3x Volvo Penta D13-IPS1200
  • Engine economic speed 15 knots
  • Engine max range (speed type) 350 (nm)
New Model Specs & Options

Wally wallywhy150 Layout

  • Flybridge Wally wallywhy150

    The flybridge connects to the main deck via stairways at both ends

  • Standard main deck layout

    Main Deck Wally wallywhy150

    The tender is carried on the hydraulic bathing platform 

  • Optional bar and dining layout

    Main Deck Wally wallywhy150

    The optional bar arrangement with a round table in the saloon

  • Lower Deck Wally wallywhy150

    There are four crew berths right forward on the lower deck

View All Layout Options

Available Stock