BISCAY 36
PRICE £35,000-£50,000 YEAR 1975-1990
Available as a sloop or ketch, 29 of these rugged ocean cruisers were moulded by Robert Ives and then fitted out to a high standard by Falmouth Boat Construction.
She was designed as a typical heavy displacement cruising yacht with the emphasis on a seakindly motion and the ability to stay doggedly on course regardless of weather and sea conditions.
Not unlike both the Nicholson 35 and Rustler 36 in hull design, the Biscay has attractive overhangs and a sweet sheer culminating in high, powerful bows that carve through the waves sending little or no spray over her decks. Unlike them, though, she has a shorter coachroof, leaving plenty of valuable space on the foredeck. Though lighter than the R36, she also has encapsulated ballast, eliminating the worry of keel bolts, an enclosed prop to reduce fouling and her 42% ballast ratio keeps her stiff and stable in heavy weather. Fuel and water tanks are also positioned under the saloon sole, above the keel.
Below, she is very similar to the Nic 35, with a roomy quarterberth forming the nav seat and a full-size Admiralty chart table. She has an L-shaped galley immediately to port of the companionway, which is well appointed, if a little lacking in workspace. There is plenty of secure stowage for provisions, crockery and cooking utensils though.
Like almost all yachts of this era, her saloon is practical rather than stylish, with straight settees for sea berths, additional pilot berths above and proper chunky handholds all around, allowing the crew to go about their lives safely and with minimum effort. The heads compartment is forward and can be used separately or enclosed with the forecabin for additional privacy. The two berths in the forecabin have an infill to create a large double vee bunk and a large forehatch brings in light and air in the right conditions. Stowage is generally good, with plenty of secure lockers. Her cockpit is deep with high, vertical coamings. The mainsheet track runs along the bridge deck so is out of reach of the helmsman, and on the ketch-rigged versions they will also have to negotiate their way around the mizzen mast to reach it. Her pinched stern results in little room behind the pedestal and the overhang reduces stowage in the lazarette. However, there’s a full-depth cockpit locker to take the dinghy and other cruising gear.