Westerly Griffon 26 Fin keel Fin keel 1979 boat specs
Westerly
Westerly Griffon 26 Fin keel Fin keel 1979
1979
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VS
Westerly Griffon 26 Twin keel Twin keel 1979 boat specs
Westerly
Westerly Griffon 26 Twin keel Twin keel 1979
1979
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Westerly Griffon 26 Fin keel Fin keel 1979 vs Westerly Griffon 26 Twin keel Twin keel 1979 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Westerly Griffon 26 Fin keel Fin keel 1979 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Westerly Griffon 26 Fin keel Fin keel 1979 at 26,0 ft versus Westerly Griffon 26 Twin keel Twin keel 1979 at 26,0 ft. At 5 900 lbs and 5 900 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 20 hp for the Westerly Griffon 26 Fin keel Fin keel 1979 and 20 hp for the Westerly Griffon 26 Twin keel Twin keel 1979. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup.

Both boats are rated for 7 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

Both boats sit in a similar displacement bracket — 5 900 lbs for the Westerly Griffon 26 Fin keel Fin keel 1979 and 5 900 lbs for the Westerly Griffon 26 Twin keel Twin keel 1979. Comparable displacement means broadly similar seakeeping behaviour and load capacity, though hull form and ballast ratio will still produce noticeably different sailing characteristics.

Both boats draw a similar depth — 4,1 ft and 3,2 ft respectively. Marina access and anchorage options should be broadly equivalent between the two.

The Westerly Griffon 26 Fin keel Fin keel 1979 uses Sloop rigging.

Hull speed is rated at 6,2 knots for the Westerly Griffon 26 Twin keel Twin keel 1979 and 6,2 knots for the Westerly Griffon 26 Fin keel Fin keel 1979.

Bottom line: The Westerly Griffon 26 Fin keel Fin keel 1979 and Westerly Griffon 26 Twin keel Twin keel 1979 are closely matched on paper. A sea trial on both in representative conditions is the only reliable way to find which one suits your sailing style, home port, and intended cruising ground.
Measurements / Dimensions
Length overall - Detail26.00 ft
Length overall - Detail26.00 ft
Length - Feet26
Length - Feet26
Length overall - Meters7.92
Length overall - Meters7.92
Length overall - Inches312
Length overall - Inches312
Beam9.40 ft
Beam9.40 ft
Beam - Meters2.87
Beam - Meters2.87
Beam - Inches113
Beam - Inches113
Draft [max] - Detail4.10 ft
Draft [max] - Detail3.20 ft
Draft [max] - Meters1.25
Draft [max] - Meters0.98
Draft [max] - Inches49
Draft [max] - Inches38
Displacement5900.00 lbs
Displacement5900.00 lbs
Body / Hull
Rudder1 transom hung rudder
Rudder1 transom hung rudder
Helm1 tiller
Helm1 tiller
Engine and Drivetrain
Horsepower20 hp
Horsepower20 hp
Drive typeinboard
Drive typeinboard
Performance
Maximum speed6.23
Maximum speed6.23
Maximum speed measureknots
Maximum speed measureknots
Operational Info
RiggingSloop
RiggingSloop
Mast ConfigurationDeck stepped mast
Mast ConfigurationDeck stepped mast
Boat typeSail
Boat typeSail

Westerly Griffon 26 Fin keel Fin keel 1979 vs Westerly Griffon 26 Twin keel Twin keel 1979 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Westerly Griffon 26 Fin keel Fin keel 1979 or the Westerly Griffon 26 Twin keel Twin keel 1979?
The Westerly Griffon 26 Twin keel Twin keel 1979 is the longer of the two at 26,0 feet overall. The Westerly Griffon 26 Fin keel Fin keel 1979 comes in at 26,0 feet, making it roughly 0,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Westerly Griffon 26 Fin keel Fin keel 1979 or the Westerly Griffon 26 Twin keel Twin keel 1979?
For trailering, the Westerly Griffon 26 Twin keel Twin keel 1979 has the edge at 5 900 lbs dry weight versus 5 900 lbs for the Westerly Griffon 26 Fin keel Fin keel 1979. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Westerly Griffon 26 Fin keel Fin keel 1979 is Coast Guard rated for 7 passengers, while the Westerly Griffon 26 Twin keel Twin keel 1979 is certified for 7. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.
Which boat has the deeper draft — the Westerly Griffon 26 Fin keel Fin keel 1979 or the Westerly Griffon 26 Twin keel Twin keel 1979?
The Westerly Griffon 26 Fin keel Fin keel 1979 has the deeper draft at 4,1 ft, versus 3,2 ft for the Westerly Griffon 26 Twin keel Twin keel 1979. A deeper draft generally means better upwind performance and stability, but limits access to shallow anchorages and some marina berths. Always check the controlling depth of your home port and favourite cruising grounds before committing.
Is the Westerly Griffon 26 Fin keel Fin keel 1979 or the Westerly Griffon 26 Twin keel Twin keel 1979 better suited for offshore sailing?
For offshore work, displacement and construction are the primary indicators. The Westerly Griffon 26 Twin keel Twin keel 1979 at 5 900 lbs displacement is the heavier, more load-carrying design — generally better suited to extended passages where seakeeping and provisioning capacity matter most. The Westerly Griffon 26 Fin keel Fin keel 1979 at 5 900 lbs will typically be livelier and more responsive in lighter conditions.
Which is the faster sailboat — the Westerly Griffon 26 Fin keel Fin keel 1979 or the Westerly Griffon 26 Twin keel Twin keel 1979?
Based on rated hull speed, the Westerly Griffon 26 Twin keel Twin keel 1979 has an edge at 6,2 knots versus 6,2 knots for the Westerly Griffon 26 Fin keel Fin keel 1979. Keep in mind that actual sailing speed depends heavily on wind conditions, sail trim, bottom condition, and skipper experience — hull speed is a theoretical maximum, not a guarantee.
Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?
Both the Westerly Griffon 26 Fin keel Fin keel 1979 and Westerly Griffon 26 Twin keel Twin keel 1979 share an 9.40 ft beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.
Are the Westerly Griffon 26 Fin keel Fin keel 1979 and Westerly Griffon 26 Twin keel Twin keel 1979 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Westerly Griffon 26 Fin keel Fin keel 1979 and the Westerly Griffon 26 Twin keel Twin keel 1979 are built by Westerly. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.