On 14 October, the Wallyrocket 51 was ceremoniously launched and presented. The shipyard itself speaks of a milestone. The first pure regatta boat is intended to outperform comparable classes such as the TP52 and ClubSwan 50 in terms of design and performance. In addition, it should not only impress as a standardised class, but also make a profit in the established regatta elite according to ORC and IRC rules.
"The idea behind the Wallyrocket 51 is to create a very strict one-design class that offers pure racing, is high-tech, but can also be competitive under IRC and ORC rules," says Adolfo Carrau, Partner at Botin Partners Naval Architecture. This is to be achieved through extreme lightweight construction. The hull is a sandwich made of prepreg carbon and foam core, while the deck is reinforced with an aramid honeycomb structure (Nomex) at its core. This means that the 15.50 metre yacht weighs just 6,250 kilograms.
Exciting detail on the keel for more speed and height
Below the waterline, one detail should make all the difference: A trim tab on the trailing edge of the keel provides additional lift to windward and should make more speed and height possible than on comparable TP52 yachts, despite the slightly shorter waterline of the Wallyrocket 51. 550-litre ballast water tanks on each side add weight to windward in addition to the crew. This means that the new racing yacht can be sailed on the regatta course with a crew of 11.
Wally himself promises the combination of fun, style and sailing performance at the highest level and nothing less than the beginning of a new chapter in the history of racing. Wally has set itself the goal of completing a Wallyrocket 51 every three months from now on. The shipyard has not revealed how many build numbers have already been sold or how much the carbon fibre racer will cost.
Technical data Wallyrocket 51
- Designer: Wally Design Team/Botin Partners Naval Architecture
- Hull length: 15.50 m
- Length waterline: 14.68 m
- Width 4.32 m
- Weight (light displacement): 6,250 kg
- Draft fixed keel: 3.50 m
- Water ballast tanks: 2x 550 litres
- Mainsail: 97.0 m²
- Genoa (103%): 66.9 m2²
- Gennaker: 264.0 m²
- Crew weight: 935 kg (crew of 11)
