Luca Bassani Antivari

Luca Bassani Antivari: The Wally Revolutionary

Portofino Breezes and a Designer's Eye

Born into the refined world of Milan in 1956, Luca Bassani Antivari discovered the call of the sea during his idyllic childhood summers spent in Portofino. These formative years, awash with salty breezes and sailing adventures aboard his family’s beloved yacht, Miranda, profoundly shaped his relationship with the ocean. From the very first moment he grasped a tiller, young Luca was captivated—not merely by sailing but by the endless possibilities of elegant nautical design.

Journey to Nautical Success

Initially following a conventional path, Luca completed a Ph.D. in Economics at Bocconi University before briefly joining the family’s electrical business, BTicino, as CFO. Yet, the rhythmic allure of waves and sails remained irresistible. His turning point came in 1989 when the sale of BTicino offered him the chance to fully embrace his maritime passion.

Before Wally, Bassani was a formidable competitor. He owned and skippered IOR yachts like Phantom, winning the Mediterranean Championship and the Two Ton Cup in 1972. He spent 15 years in the highly competitive 6-metre class, clinching two European Championships (1986, 1990) and a third at the 1983 Worlds. He introduced J24s to Italy and later became Mumm 30 World Champion in 1998. This racing pedigree instilled in him a deep understanding of performance and efficiency. But it was his quest for the perfect family cruiser – fast, comfortable, and easy to handle – that led to the birth of Wally Yachts. He couldn't find what he wanted, so, in 1991, he directed the design of a yacht for himself. This wasn't just a boat; it was the genesis of a revolution.

Frustrated by the limitations he encountered aboard traditional yachts, Luca boldly envisioned something different. He commissioned the construction of the innovative yacht Wallygator, a sleek 83-foot sloop unlike any before it. Blending cutting-edge technology, minimalist beauty, and unprecedented comfort, this vessel captured the imagination of sailors and yacht aficionados worldwide. Its reception was so extraordinary that it inspired Luca to found Wally Yachts in Monaco in 1994.

Major Career Achievements

Bassani’s creations rapidly gained acclaim, redefining luxury yacht design and performance. Each Wally yacht combined visionary aesthetics with advanced technology. Among his most remarkable projects was the iconic 118 WallyPower, whose striking modernist lines and sheer audacity earned it a permanent display at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

Wally Yachts quickly established itself as a beacon of innovative excellence, amassing multiple prestigious awards, including the Millennium Yacht Design Award and two coveted Compasso d’Oro trophies. Luca’s visionary leadership made Wally synonymous with luxury, speed, and elegance—setting a new standard in nautical design and influencing the broader maritime industry profoundly.

In 2019, his legacy took a new step as Wally joined forces with the prestigious Ferretti Group, ensuring Luca’s groundbreaking designs would continue to inspire future generations.

The Wally Philosophy: Simplicity, Speed, Sophistication

The "Wally philosophy," as it became known, was an innovative concept that truly "revolutionized the yachting scene". Bassani sought "simplicity and maximum sophistication," believing contemporary boats were too complex and uncomfortable. He launched Wally in 1994, and with yachts like Wallygator II (now Nariida), he introduced plumb bows, beamy sterns, flush decks, and crucially, carbon fibre construction. "Without new materials I could not do what I've done," he’s stated, acknowledging carbon fibre's role in creating lighter boats with reduced sailplans. His designs, like the iconic Wally Power 118 Galeocerdo (which he amusingly called a commercial "flop" despite its media frenzy), are instantly recognizable for their clean, aggressive lines and uncompromising performance. The Wallycento class further cemented this, offering superyachts that could cruise in complete comfort yet compete at the highest level.  

Personal Life and Broader Impact

Beyond his remarkable professional success, Luca remains a devoted family man, known for his humility, charm, and keen sense of humor. His personal life mirrors the elegance and simplicity he cherishes aboard his yachts. Married and a father to three children, he has imbued his family with the same deep appreciation for sailing that has defined his own life. His daughter Geraldina fondly describes Wally as “our older brother,” underscoring how deeply entwined family and maritime pursuits are in the Bassani household.

Luca’s enduring passion for the sea extends beyond business—he actively fosters competitive sailing through initiatives like the Wally Class, promoting camaraderie and sportsmanship among yacht owners. With his strong emphasis on sustainability and innovation, Luca Bassani Antivari has left an indelible mark on the world of sailing, not merely through design and aesthetics, but by championing an ethos that values integrity, creativity, and harmony with the natural world.