The Westerly Griffon 26 Twin keel Twin keel 1979 vs Westerly Merlin 28 Twin keel Twin 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 Twin keel Twin keel 1984 at 28,8 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Westerly Merlin 28 Twin keel Twin keel 1984 tips the scales at 8 036 lbs — 2 136 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 Twin keel Twin 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 Twin keel Twin 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 Twin keel Twin keel 1984 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Westerly Merlin 28 Twin keel Twin keel 1984 displaces 8 036 lbs — a 2 136-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 — 3,2 ft and 3,5 ft respectively. Marina access and anchorage options should be broadly equivalent between the two.
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 Twin keel Twin keel 1984 and 6,2 knots for the Westerly Griffon 26 Twin keel Twin keel 1979.
Bottom line: The Westerly Merlin 28 Twin keel Twin keel 1984 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 8 036 lbs displacement and 29 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.