Westerly Cirrus 22 Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

The Cirrus 22 is built in solid fiberglass with a cast-iron keel and transom-hung rudder, the hull a heavy polyester-laminate shell with no structural core in the underwater sections, typical of Westerly's late-1960s production solid GRP hull construction. The deck is moulded GRP, usually cored with plywood or similar material across flat panels to stiffen it, while the hull-deck joint is an inward-turning flange bonded and through-bolted under an aluminium toe rail. The keel is a cast-iron fin bolted through substantial floors, and the rudder hangs on pintles and gudgeons — simple and robust. Cabin windows are framed acrylic units mechanically fastened through the cabin sides rather than bonded, and chainplates are stainless flat bar tied to internal structure via bulkheads or knees. A sea hood and a cabin top shaped to shed water, plus a hatch that does not appear to leak, speak to a practical deck that manages spray.

Rig and Handling

As a masthead-sloop design with a working sail area around 211 square feet, the Cirrus carries modest canvas over a relatively heavy, well-ballasted hull of more than 1,400 pounds of iron on a 3 foot 6 inch draft. The fin keel and transom-hung rudder give predictable behaviour, and the helm stays light to moderate with only a gentle rise in weather helm as she heels predictable handling from fin and rudder. Downwind she tracks well for her size, and the high ballast ratio keeps her on her feet under a big genoa or spinnaker. Reefing is straightforward, and many owners carry full sail into the low teens of wind before taking a first reef as the breeze builds. Short-handed she is easy to manage; the mast is hinged for bridge transit and the mainsail is fed onto the mast each hoist. Period reviews noted she is slow for her size, yet steady — upwind she rewards a sensible plan and patience, and a clean bottom yields roughly 5 to 5.5 knots in moderate air.

Accommodations

Below, the Cirrus packs amenities rare in a 22-footer: a vee-berth forward that sleeps two average adults and proves better than expected for the length, an enclosed head with a door to starboard, and a small tidy galley to port with a new sink whose faucet folds down for stowage and a cover that doubles as prep space. A dinette sits to starboard opposite the galley, with a quarter berth to port and a small hanging locker, while storage abounds for a boat this size. Headroom lets a 6-foot sailor stand easily. The ports are large for light but do not open, and ventilation is basic — forehatch, companionway, and opening ports only if fitted.

Known Issues

Water intrusion is the recurring weak point. Substantial damage hits the companionway bulkhead's lining board, and the surrounding wood needs replacing; a cross member at the bottom has rotted from moisture. The lazarette covers are wooden and require renewal, as does the cockpit grate. One surveyed hull was a salvage with rigging almost unused, a new owner-fabricated tiller, and an overhead hatch repaired in lexan or plexiglass.

Refits and Ownership

Many Cirrus 22s have moved to outboard propulsion in a transom well or a small diesel, though a few left the factory with Stuart Turner petrol inboards. The boat trails a stout trailer easily for home storage, and at least one has been sailed around the world — a testament to a Westerly built to withstand hard water.

The Verdict

The Cirrus 22 is a thoughtfully laid-out small cruiser with real offshore DNA in a trailerable package. She asks patience upwind and rewards it with steadiness, secure handling, and a belowdecks plan that punches above her length. The watch items are all about wood rot at the companionway and cockpit joinery — manageable for an owner willing to keep water out.

Pros