By: Scott Way
Everyone chuckles at the cliché from pro athletes proclaiming "I'm going to Disneyland!" or "I'm buying a boat!" during their championship interview as the confetti falls. The tradition goes back to Phil Simms hollering his plans after Superbowl XXI in '87. But If you're Tom Brady, who lives 80 miles from Disneyland in nearby Tampa Bay and has probably been there once or twice after winning one of his 7 (!) championships, what answer could you possibly give? He already bought a boat, which he then drove to his own Superbowl parade, so what else is there to do? Go bigger, apparently. TB12 has upgraded his Wajer 55S (which he just took possession of in December of 2020) to a custom Wajer 77. The prototype for the new vessel is dubbed The World is Not Enough, seemingly an ode to both the 1999 film of the same name and the James Bond family motto in the Sir Ian Fleming novels. I guess its a Wajer thing. Apparently the 55S wasn't enough for Tom, so for a guy with a Goldfinger who can throw a Thunderball to Gronk, the 77 caught his Goldeneye. (Ok, I'm done).
Wajer Yachts recently did a live video launch for the new Wajer 77, which included a surprise video call from Tom himself. In the video Brady confirms he'll be one of the first to take delivery of the new offshore yacht. “I enjoyed the waters of New England, but when we moved to Tampa, with its beautiful bay, I said to myself, ‘I need a boat,’ I love what (Wajer Managing Director) Dries Wajer is doing. When we first started working together, I was able to try-out a Wajer 38, then I got my Wajer 55S, and now I’m looking forward to continuing my ‘captainship’ on a Wajer 77...which Dries tells me I’ll get before the end of the year.”
The Wajer 77 is obviously longer and beamier than the 55 but it keeps the same high waterline and a swept back stern. She carries a total length of 77 feet (23.5m) with a 19 foot beam (5.8 m) and a draught of 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 m). It's made from an aluminum hull with a top speed of 37 knots (43 mph) and a range of about 400 nautical miles. Power comes from either 3 Volvo Penta IPS 1350 hp diesel engines (optional), or 3 Volvo Penta IPS 1200 hp diesels as standard.
Some of the more impressive tech includes an auto-calibrating anchor to calculate the length of chain needed, a fender inflation system that auto-inflates and deflates for faster storage, a deck-cooling system that prevents excess heat on your feet during high temperatures, and an electronic wheelhouse roof that expands and contracts depending on your preferred airflow. There is also storage for watertoys like Seabobs, paddleboards, and diving gear, as well as a Williams 325 Jet Tender for excursions to shore.
Below decks are accommodations for up to 9 passengers and 2 crew. An enormous master suite at midships measures 16'5" wide with 7'9" of headroom, plus a junior suite with a double bed, a portside guest cabin with both a queen size and single bed, and a separate crew cabin that sleeps two. Each suite includes its own shower and head. A full galley with lounge uses a minimalist design incorporating a white interior with dark wood accents. A coffee bar next to the galley offers impressive sea views. Up top is spacious circular deck seating with large sofas and an al fresco dining area for outdoor meals with a view.
According to Wajer Managing Director Dries Wajer, the new model comes as a response to requests for a yacht capable of long distance offshore travel, rather than simply day boating, while also being manageable for the owner with or without additional crew. “We’ve spent years developing the Wajer 77 with leaders like Sinot Yacht Architecture and Van Oossanen Naval Architects. But we are moving quickly on this project because, frankly, we were able to sell the concept very early on. We’ve already sold more than 15.”
As for Tom, “I have kids, and we all love being on the water. We spent Christmas and New Year’s Eve aboard our Wajer; everyone loves it. The 55S is an amazing boat, and it’s been amazing for our family. I think the 77 will be a little bit more suited for what we need it for down here, which is a few more day trips and weekend trips. We spend a lot of time in the Bahamas. So going from the East Coast of Florida across into the Bahamas and around the Bahamas would be really great trips for us as a family."
Brady plans to name the new yacht Viva A Vida, the same name given to his 55S, which is an ode to his wife Gisele Bundchen's environmental initiative. No word if he's going to sell the 55S or run both.
If The World Is Not Enough is finally enough for Tom, a trip to the Casino Royale might help cover the costs of running two boats.
You can watch the full unveiling of the Wajer 77 below:
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