Design and Construction
Wrighton built the Bi-Loup 66 in La Rochelle, France, according to the yard’s records, which list the architect simply as Wrighton himself. The hull is solid monolithic polyester, while the deck is solid fiberglass.
Her twin-keel, or bilge-keel, configuration gives a maximum draft of only 0.75 meters. Together with a 2.49-meter beam and 5.80-meter waterline length, that shallow twin-keel layout defines her as a trailer-friendly, grounding-forgiving coastal boat rather than a deep-fin racer. The minimum navigation category is C and the maximum D, confirming her sheltered-to-moderate-water scope.
Rig and Handling
The Bi-Loup 66 carries a fractional sloop rig with 25 m² of upwind sail area: an 11 m² mainsail and a 14 m² genoa. A 30 m² spinnaker is available for downwind work.
Her sail-area-to-weight ratio is 18, and the ballast-to-sail-area ratio is 20. The ballast-to-weight ratio is 0.36, with a ZV ratio of 15. These figures describe a lightly canvased, moderately ballasted small boat. She isn’t a rocket, but she is stable on her feet for her size.
An 8 HP inboard engine provides auxiliary power. The equipment record lists the transmission only as “other type.”
Accommodation
Below deck, the Bi-Loup 66 has a single-cabin layout with two to four berths and 1.86 meters of headroom. That is genuinely useful standing height in a 6.6-meter hull, and the berth arrangement offers some flexibility. Even so, the interior volume remains that of a dayboat-plus: enough for weekends aboard, but not for liveaboard cruising.
Known Issues
The Bi-Loup 66 shows no structural defects or systemic faults in service.
The Verdict
The Bi-Loup 66 is a straightforward French pocket cruiser with shallow draft, solid-polyester construction, twin keels, a simple fractional rig, and a practical but compact cabin. She is best understood as a nearshore dayboat and randonnée boat for sailors who value easy ground handling and a low-air-draft profile more than speed or offshore range.
Pros
- 0.75 m twin-keel draft allows beaching and access to shallow water
- 1.86 m headroom in a hull under 22 feet
- Solid-polyester construction that is simple and repairable
Cons
- C/D navigation category limits her to sheltered waters
- Only 25 m² of sail area and an 8 HP inboard, suiting her to light-duty use
- A single cabin with 2–4 berths restricts her cruising scope
