The Westerly Fulmar 32 - Twin keel Twin keel 1980 vs Westerly Griffon 26 Twin keel Twin keel 1979 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Westerly Fulmar 32 - Twin keel Twin keel 1980 measures 31,1 feet overall (1980), giving it roughly 5,1 additional feet of deck space compared to the Westerly Griffon 26 Twin keel Twin keel 1979 at 26,0 feet (1979). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Westerly Fulmar 32 - Twin keel Twin keel 1980 tips the scales at 9 899 lbs — 3 999 lbs more than the Westerly Griffon 26 Twin keel Twin keel 1979 at 5 900 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The Westerly Griffon 26 Twin keel Twin keel 1979 tops out at 20 hp. Engine specs for the Westerly Fulmar 32 - Twin keel Twin keel 1980 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Westerly Fulmar 32 - Twin keel Twin keel 1980 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Westerly Griffon 26 Twin keel Twin keel 1979 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Westerly Fulmar 32 - Twin keel Twin keel 1980 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Westerly Fulmar 32 - Twin keel Twin keel 1980 displaces 9 899 lbs — a 3 999-lb difference over the Westerly Griffon 26 Twin keel Twin keel 1979 at 5 900 lbs. That gap separates two entirely different categories of sailing: the heavier boat is built for offshore passage-making and load-carrying, while the lighter hull rewards performance sailing and easier handling in lighter air.
Both boats draw a similar depth — 4,0 ft and 3,2 ft respectively. Marina access and anchorage options should be broadly equivalent between the two.
The Westerly Fulmar 32 - Twin keel Twin keel 1980 uses Sloop rigging. The Westerly Griffon 26 Twin keel Twin keel 1979 has a documented auxiliary engine of 20 hp.
Hull speed is rated at 6,8 knots for the Westerly Fulmar 32 - Twin keel Twin keel 1980 and 6,2 knots for the Westerly Griffon 26 Twin keel Twin keel 1979.
Bottom line: The Westerly Fulmar 32 - Twin keel Twin keel 1980 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 9 899 lbs displacement and 31 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Westerly Griffon 26 Twin keel Twin keel 1979 at 5 900 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.