Wally wallypower58 Review (2022 Edition)

Notice the total absence of hull windows to maintain the cleanliness of the lines, the only interruption being the gill-like engine room vents (and the terraces, when deployed). The angular windscreen is formed from a single piece of glass, with its only supports at the aft end of the wheelhouse structure. It's bursting with stunning design detail, from the brilliant sun awning on the aft sun pad to the fabulous helm seats. 

It's not all about style, though, the 58 runs on the familiar Luca Bassani deep-vee hull design, made to be soft riding and efficient at high speeds and well matched to those slippery triple IPS pods. As standard, the boat comes with triple 550hp IPS700 but the upgraded IPS800s with 600hp a piece will nudge the boat closer to 40 knots and allow it to cruise at 32 knots for around 320nm.  

On board, there are a variety of layouts on offer that can be tweaked depending on how the boat will be used. If it's to be an owner-run cruiser then the twin cabin arrangement with twin double beds and two ensuite bathrooms would work well but if it's a chase boat then the double cabin forward with a large lounging area aft may be more useful. There's even the option to create a skipper's cabin with private access on deck if the crew will be on board regularly. 

The wallypower58 was designed to bridge the gap between the brand's tender and why ranges with the onus on owner operation or running with a small crew on board. The decision to go with (triple) IPS plays into this as the system's joystick control and a suite of driver aids should make it an easy boat to control. That's important for both owner-operators and crew members who may be running the 58 as a chase boat, tasked with running into port and ferrying guests to the shallows.

And the looks? Well, it could only be a Wally, couldn't it? There are hints of the awesome 118 wallypower (Google it if unfamiliar) in the angular hull and origami-like superstructure and if you want to own a boat that looks like nothing else on the water then the 58 is a safe bet.

I know it's nearly 18m (60ft) long and there are boats of that size with significantly more internal living space than the 58 but this really isn't what the boat is about. Cruising fast and looking bloody good while you're doing it is the name of the game here but the interior can host four adults in comfort and privacy if called upon to do so. 

The forward double, which is the owner's cabin, remains the same whichever layout you go for and it's kitted out with a large double berth and has access to a private ensuite with a separate shower cubicle. The saddle bag style bins overhead look good but offer decent storage space and there's enough cabin stowage for longer stints on board.

Amidships, the boat we saw had a smaller salon with a second double cabin that had its own ensuite. The bed is pushed up to the aft bulkhead so it's not the easiest to get in and out of but it's a decent size and headroom is fine in the entranceway at least. If this is to be used as a skipper's cabin, there's the option to have direct access via a hatch on deck so they can get into their cabin without going through the salon if it's in use.

Layout Options

However, this cabin can be removed altogether and replaced with more lounging space in the salon if the boat is going to be used as a chase boat or a ferry for guests to and from the mothership, where fully protected internal seating could be useful in bad weather. There isn't a galley down here (the cooking and cooling amenities are on deck) but there is a small fridge for keeping drinks cool. 

Despite the total lack of hull windows, there is a surprising amount of natural light allowed to seep into the lower deck. The designers have made good use of deck hatches to draw as much light down into the interior as they can. There's a run of glass above the salon and another above the owner's cabin, discreetly integrated into the coachroof. 

There are hull windows of sorts, however. Cameras mounted subtly on either side of the boat feed their view back to TVs mounted where the hull windows would be inside to bring the outside in cleverly. It works well, too. 

If you're after sleeping accommodation, there are superior options at this size but it's better than you might expect. 

Sitting before the edifice that is the 58's helm is quite an occasion. The helm seats look spectacularly cool — a cross between a fighter jet seat and Dr Evil's chair — but are also supremely comfortable and supportive. They are adjustable and have a bolster section but it seems a shame not to sit in them with the support of those towering backrests and this is perfectly feasible because the throttles are mounted on a carbon fibre-clad arm that spears towards your right hand. 

Carbon fibre is not in short supply, most obviously on the go-kart-like steering wheel which fits so perfectly in the hand and is a welcome tonic to the bulky thick-rimmed wheels that we see elsewhere. The dashboard is super clean and dominated by a pair of 22in Garmin MFDs through which every aspect of the boat's navigation equipment and systems can be controlled. Physical buttons are limited and the only real protrusions are the throttles and IPS joystick, which is set away from the throttles so you don't have to reach over them to use it. 

If this were my boat I would add the bow thruster; even with three IPS pods doing their thing at slow speed, this is a boat with a long, slab-sided bow, which could be susceptible to a stiff wind on the beam. 

This is a very well-protected helm station, as well. The wheelhouse is completely sealed aside from a small sunroof, which allows some natural breeze to run through on warm days, so even if the weather does kick up those in the cockpit will be well insulated from it. 

Much like the rest of the boat, the helm drips with eye-popping design detail but is functional with it — a hard balance to strike.

On deck is where the 58 really shines. Drop-down balconies are not a new invention but they work particularly well in this case when teamed with the central sun pad and vast hydraulic bathing platform that sinks down into the water to reveal deep steps molded into the transom. The platform is also where the tender would be mounted if the boat has one, the seat bolsters of the sun pad above flipping up to create more space for a larger tender.

Alternatively, the platform can be fitted out with cushions to create a day bed on the waterline but, for me, that detracts from the functionality of having the platform. That said, the passerelle doubles up as a set of steps down into the water so you still have good access to the sea even without the platform. 

Push a button on either side of the cockpit and the platforms drop down to boost the total beam to 5m (16.5in). The detailing in this area is lovely, from the plug-in upright shower with its carbon fiber pole to the brilliant canopy mechanism over the sun pad that neatly collapses down to deck level when not in use. It's a lovely bit of engineering that can stay in place at up to 20 knots, it's just a shame that it's a cost option. The forward end of the sun pad lifts to reveal Seabob storage.

The dinette sits beneath the shelter of the superstructure, which means it should be well protected from any breeze if you're having lunch on anchor. The carbon fiber table looks the business and has folding leaves but its dark coloring could get very hot in direct sunlight and be a nightmare to clean, so be careful with the mayonnaise.

Eye for Detail 

Carbon fibre pops up throughout and is particularly nicely used around the ends of the superstructure where handholds have been shaped into the uprights. Other clever bits like cup holders built into the seat cushions and deep storage bins beneath the dinette and sofa opposite offer some practicality. 

The wet bar amenities are split across the deck and well disguised by solid timber tops but with a grill, sink, two fridges, and an icemaker tucked in behind the helm there's all you need to serve guests on deck. 

The foredeck is one of the few places where style overruns substance. The clean lines are what makes the 58 but the total absence of any guardrail, or even a handhold, means it will feel a bit dicey being up on deck if the boat is rolling about out at sea. The lack of railings means that fenders are hung using a pin and socket arrangement, which makes them fast to deploy but it can be fiddly to adjust their height quickly and they have to go in a fixed position along the boat. 

The tall bulwarks aft add to the sense of security and pop-up cleats ensure that not even the mooring gear can disturb the boat's profile but the flat sun pad and lack of features leaves the foredeck wanting in comparison to something like the Sunseeker Superhawk 55. 

The deep full-width locker aft of the anchor hatch is a useful addition, however, and you'll never tire of seeing the hidden anchor pop out from its housing when you arrive at an anchorage. 

Triple Threat

Whenever there is a triple-engine arrangement on a boat it feels inevitable that space in the engine room and access to each motor is going to be compromised. For packaging, efficiency, and performance reasons the design team opted for three smaller engines over two larger ones on the 58 and, thankfully, this hasn't had the negative effect on engine room space that it sometimes does. The middle engine is set a little lower than the outer ones but all three are easy to get to and daily service checks should be simple enough to complete. 

Any large ancillaries like the generator or optional Seakeeper stabliser and water maker (there's a surprise) are mounted in easily accessible locations towards the front of the space. In many instances maintenance will be the crew's job on this boat but, if it does fall to the owner, it's not too much of a chore.