The 48 Wallytender Made Its US Debut At The 2019 Fort Lauderdale Int’l Boat Show

By Adrienne Faurote November 13, 2019

Following an outstanding reception at this year’s Cannes Yachting Festival and Monaco Yacht Show with seven units already sold, the all-new 48 Wallytender made its American debut at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS)

The original Wallytender concept opened a new market as a standalone runabout, ideal for day or overnight cruising and not just as a tender for a larger yacht or private villa. The new model retains the stylish solutions that define the Wally philosophy of combining form and function but introduces innovative new features to enhance the yachting experience.

“This is set to be a landmark year for Wally at FLIBS; not only do we have a fantastic new model which makes its debut at the show, but being part of Ferretti Group means that Wally can now offer an even better buying experience to those in the region” comments Luca Bassani, Wally Founder. “We have had a very positive response to the 48 Wallytender and expect this to continue at FLIBS. As an open tender with ample features to enhance family time on the water, it is the perfect boat for the US market – especially for use in Florida, the Keys and the Bahamas.”

The 48 Wallytender has generous interior volumes with an elegant suite combining the sailing heritage of teak decking with panels and fittings in carbon fiber, a material introduced to the yachting world by Wally in 1991. The challenge here was to raise the freeboard without losing the purity of the hull lines associated with all Wally yachts.

It is the only boat in its segment to offer as standard fold-down bulwark sections to increase the swim platform for relaxation and gathering moments at anchor, an evolution of the innovation introduced by Wally in 2002 on the 118 Wallypower. Another relevant feature is the retractable passerelle that doubles as a swim ladder also included as standard.

On deck, the layout has been designed to let hosts relax in convivial comfort with generous seating and sunbeds, and alfresco dining thanks to the well-equipped galley unit. To fully enjoy the on-the-water experience both at anchor and underway, the aft seating can be configured to face either forward or the dining table.

A special anchoring system is hidden behind a flush-fitting hatch in the bow and can be operated at the touch of a button from the helm station. The wraparound fender is a trademark feature of Wallytenders and provides a practical docking solution instead of bulky fenders.

The standard propulsion package comprises the twin Volvo IPS 650 engines (totaling 960hp) for a top speed of 38 knots and is equipped with user-friendly joystick controls for easy docking.