The Westerly Griffon 26 Twin keel Twin keel 1979 vs Westerly Merlin 28 Fin keel Fin keel 1984 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 Twin keel Twin keel 1979 at 26,0 ft versus Westerly Merlin 28 Fin keel Fin keel 1984 at 28,8 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Westerly Merlin 28 Fin keel Fin keel 1984 tips the scales at 7 694 lbs — 1 794 lbs less 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 carries a rated maximum of 20 hp. Engine data for the Westerly Merlin 28 Fin keel Fin keel 1984 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 Merlin 28 Fin keel Fin keel 1984 is rated for 8 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 Merlin 28 Fin keel Fin keel 1984 could be the deciding factor.

Both boats sit in a similar displacement bracket — 5 900 lbs for the Westerly Griffon 26 Twin keel Twin keel 1979 and 7 694 lbs for the Westerly Merlin 28 Fin keel Fin keel 1984. Comparable displacement means broadly similar seakeeping behaviour and load capacity, though hull form and ballast ratio will still produce noticeably different sailing characteristics.

Draft is a practical consideration that many buyers underestimate until they're already at the marina. The Westerly Merlin 28 Fin keel Fin keel 1984 draws 5,0 ft, compared to 3,2 ft for the Westerly Griffon 26 Twin keel Twin keel 1979. That 1,8-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 Twin keel Twin keel 1979 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 6,5 knots for the Westerly Merlin 28 Fin keel Fin keel 1984 and 6,2 knots for the Westerly Griffon 26 Twin keel Twin keel 1979.