A new team for a new boat
Bought in 2014, by two enthusiasts and owners of the famous two keel boat with panoramic windows, Thierry Bocquet and Patrick Fallot, the shipyard is preparing its comeback. Redesign of the range, the website, new associates, new yard or even new architect, everything has been rethought.
From now on, the two men are associated with François Lebailly, a renowned carpenter and father of Vincent Lebailly, architect of the Bi-Loup. " After the Grand Pavois 2014, we sat down together to take the time to reflect, to redesign the site, to review our communication policy. We also wanted to surround ourselves with passionate people to design the Bi-Loup. So we partnered with Shoreteam, which is a great yard, but also with François Lebailly, the architect's father, and a fairly well-known carpenter." explains Julie, in charge of the communication of the site.
Following the bankruptcy filing in 2013, the Bi-Loup no longer had a physical yard. Only the molds had been bought during an auction. Vincent Lebailly therefore decided to repatriate the construction of the bi-wolves near his offices in Caen.
Now, the hull and deck molds for the new model, the 109, are being prepared in the Shoreteam Yard in Normandy. The rest of the hulls have also found a home in Caen. " The 3 hulls of the old Bi-Loup, repurchased by Thierry during auctions, are from now on in the shipyard, since last week."
In Normandy, Bi-Loup has not only found a physical shipyard, but also a new partner. The Shoreteam shipyard has decided to join the brand's buyers, and is now one of the brand's partners.
A simplified range
The current Bi-Loup range consists of 3 models, the Bi-Loup 78, the Bi-Loup 90 and the Bi-Loup 109." The names of the yachts have been changed back to those of the original Wrighton shipyard. As for the 109, it's a play on words to remind us of the shipyard's recovery ("Sang neuf" NDLR)" says Julie.
The Bi-Loup 78 is the former Bi-Loup 265, but also the smallest unit in the range. This two-keel boat of 7.80 m with a transportable size welcomes 6 people on board and is composed of 2 cabins, a bathroom, a kitchen and a saloon.
The Bi-Loup 90 is the former Bi-Loup 30. Larger in size than the 78, it has a length of 8.98 m and is dedicated to family sailing. It is more comfortable thanks to its more generous volumes.
The Bi-Wolf 109 is the new Bi-Loup sailboat. Flagship, it is also the biggest and will be presented at the Nautic in Paris, next December.
A new and modernized model
The 109 is the great novelty of the Wrighton shipyard. Already designed a few years ago by Vincent Lebailly for the Wrighton shipyard, this new model was to be called the 36BF, the model of which was presented at the Grand Pavois 2014.
In fact, it was a problem with the boat's deck mold that caused the shipyard to go bankrupt. Now that Vincent Lebailly is the main contractor for the project, he has been able to work more freely and start from scratch to create the 109, with a new, wider hull and a new deck design while remaining in the Bi-Loup spirit. " Vincent Lebailly wanted it to be a boat in which one could live inside. He built it in his image, but keeping the characteristics of the Bi-Loup. We will undoubtedly see touches of modernity in the lines, but the characteristics that have forged the image of the Bi-Loup are still there." Thus, as on all the models of the brand, we will find the keels consolidated in the hull, the panoramic roof and a real living space inside and outside.
Like all Bi-Loup boats, the 109 had to be a strong and solid boat. That's why the hull is built in monolithic contact. To bring some modernity to the boat, the deck is made of injection. This family boat with a spacious interior is currently under construction at the Shoreteam Yard and will be presented at the Paris Boat Show.
François Lebailly will be in charge of the carpentry to offer a boat with impeccable finishes. " We have had a few comments about the interior finish of the Bi-Loup, which was not perfect. However, Vincent Lebailly makes sure that the Bi-Loup is a quality boat, while remaining accessible in price
The Bi-Loup 109, with a length of 10, 70 m has a large aft cockpit with chart table and benches on each side, as well as many storage spaces. Inside, the saloon is bright, thanks to the panoramic windows. Standing up, you have a clear view forward thanks to the large windows all around the saloon. There is a kitchenette at the back and a lounge area with a U-shaped bench seat at the front, on the side.
On the other side, a large bench seat fills the space. There is a large cabin at the bow and one or two cabins at the stern. The saloon has deliberately not been raised so as not to reduce the headroom. At the highest point, there is a height of 1.95m and at the lowest, 1.92m, the height of the first owner.
The companionway is off-center on starboard and the ends are brought back to the same side, also on starboard. We see a place on the roof, the breakwater, for the hood. In the photos, it is presented in a tiller version but two other steering options are available. You can have a wheel outside the cockpit or against the bulkhead, behind the external chart table, which remains in place when sailing.
As on all Bi-Loup boats, there is a life raft at the back and a swim ladder that, when raised, closes the cockpit for safe sailing. In conclusion, the 109 is a little more racy, but the roof remains imposing.
Currently, three 109's have already been ordered. The first one, already under construction, will be displayed at the Nautic of Paris next December.
A real good news
Bi-Loup, before being a brand, is also, and above all, a great community: owners and enthusiasts, who live through the website and the blog. On the social networks, the Wrighton yard has received a real support and a nice craze has been created for the release of the new model. "We're getting messages of support, people are super happy and it's really nice to get such reactions. They are starting to discover the design of the new boat and are quite surprised, in a good way."
