The Westerly Griffon 26 Fin keel Fin keel 1979 vs Westerly Sealord 39 Sloop Sloop 1983 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 Sealord 39 Sloop Sloop 1983 measures 38,6 feet overall (1983), giving it roughly 12,6 additional feet of deck space compared to the Westerly Griffon 26 Fin keel Fin keel 1979 at 26,0 feet (1979). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Westerly Sealord 39 Sloop Sloop 1983 tips the scales at 18 501 lbs — 12 601 lbs less than the Westerly Griffon 26 Fin keel Fin 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 Fin keel Fin keel 1979 carries a rated maximum of 20 hp. Engine data for the Westerly Sealord 39 Sloop Sloop 1983 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Westerly Sealord 39 Sloop Sloop 1983 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Westerly Griffon 26 Fin keel Fin 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 Sealord 39 Sloop Sloop 1983 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Westerly Sealord 39 Sloop Sloop 1983 displaces 18 501 lbs — a 12 601-lb difference over the Westerly Griffon 26 Fin keel Fin 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.
Draft is a practical consideration that many buyers underestimate until they're already at the marina. The Westerly Sealord 39 Sloop Sloop 1983 draws 5,6 ft, compared to 4,1 ft for the Westerly Griffon 26 Fin keel Fin keel 1979. That 1,5-foot difference affects which anchorages you can access, which haul-out facilities will take you, and how carefully you need to read the tide tables in shallower cruising grounds.
The Westerly Griffon 26 Fin keel Fin keel 1979 uses Sloop rigging. Helm style differs too: the Westerly Griffon 26 Fin keel Fin keel 1979 uses a 1 tiller versus a 1 wheel on the Westerly Sealord 39 Sloop Sloop 1983. Wheel helms give better leverage and visibility on larger boats; tillers offer direct feedback and simplicity on smaller ones. The Westerly Griffon 26 Fin keel Fin keel 1979 has a documented auxiliary engine of 20 hp.
Hull speed is rated at 7,6 knots for the Westerly Sealord 39 Sloop Sloop 1983 and 6,2 knots for the Westerly Griffon 26 Fin keel Fin keel 1979.
Bottom line: The Westerly Sealord 39 Sloop Sloop 1983 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 18 501 lbs displacement and 39 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Westerly Griffon 26 Fin keel Fin keel 1979 at 5 900 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.