The ever more popular class of day cruisers is experiencing a boom on a global scale. We have had the opportunity to take out the original for a trial. The new wallytender43 inherits all the best of her predecessors and raises the bar, dazzleing with perfectly thought details and dizzying performances
Wally launched their new 13-meter tender at the end of the (pandemic) 2020 version in the inboard engine version. The outboard version followed, and we were lucky enough to take the both out for a day at sea. When we first saw the new wallytender43 in the fall of last year, we saw a vessel more than capable of being anything you need it to be, from a luxury tender or a support vessel for big sailing yacht, to a perfect day cruiser or a multi-day trip cruiser for adventurous skippers.
Luxury tender with Wally DNK
Above all, the new wallytender43 left an impression of luxury item, displaying her Wally DNK immediately, down to the dark green color – the famous Gator Green. Still, the new Wally has inherited much more than color from her illustrious predecessors. As per usual, Wally have placed utmost attention to performance in navigation. According to founder Luca Bassani, the genius who started it all, you can expect the sea to throw everything at you, and a good vessel will know how to handle any and all conditions.
On the day of our sea trial of the inboard engine version of this vessel with a deep V-hull and a 21º inclination on the bow, we have experienced nothing but calm and steady navigation despite the wind lashing us from the side at over 20 knots, and despite the choppy sea. The inboard engines allowed us to reach 40 knots with no trouble at all, but we were even more impressed in the in the Venice lagoon, where this beast showed her true colors in the version with three outboard 450-HP Mercury Verado engines – and pushed us to almost 50 knots.
Although the sea was ideal for all sort of games that day, whatever we threw at the new wallytender, level of comfort remained intact. Good to know, since no-one buys a Wally just to race around. On the bow, reached easily via walkaround passages, there is a small sunpad, a detail we absolutely loved. We have tested it and have found it very comfortable and dry even in navigation. Below, a small bow cabin is just big enough to have its own private day head with a separate shower and standing height, and a double bed that serves its purpose, but nothing more.
Wallytender43 cockpit
The cockpit is basically an outdoor lounge, ideal for comfortable transfers, equipped with a folding table, an ice-maker and and a fridge, as well as a hard top and surrounded by glass windows for additional protection. The new Wally has an interesting curved windshield, a rather sexy piece of glass that attracts the eye. The cockpit brims with carbon details, and the hard top has a sailcloth fabric covering, just to remind us all of the good old Wally origins.
On the hard top, solar panels can be installed, providing just enough energy for all your needs while anchored (so called hotel use), and the builder offers an optional generator, as well as stabilizer. Aft, we were pleasantly surprised by an electric-powered folding terrace, opening on the sides of the vessel. This layout combines the joy of being in the open air with the added security and comfort usually experienced on a more enclosed yacht.
The impression of spaceness is even more pronounced on the inboard engine version of the new wallytender43, while on the outboard version this space hosts a removable aluminum table. Below the cockpit, there is a large storage space ideal for water toys, another proof of the vessel’s multi-functional spirit. One of the secrets of the new wallytender43 is input from owners of previous models, so it is little wonder the 43 sets the standard really high in her category.
Text Darko Šupuk
Photos Wally, Alberto Cochi & Maurizio Paradisi
Video Wally
