The Cirrus stands apart from the bilge-keel Pageant and Centaur. It is smaller, lighter, and more performance-minded, with a solid-GRP hull, cast-iron fin keel, and transom-hung rudder. It was intended to take on the North Sea.
Design and Construction
The Cirrus has a heavy polyester-laminate hull with no structural core in the underwater sections, typical of Westerly’s late-1960s production. It uses solid-GRP hull construction. Its cast-iron fin keel is bolted through substantial floors, while the rudder hangs from pintles and gudgeons—a simple, robust arrangement.
The moulded-GRP deck is usually cored with plywood or a similar material across its flat panels for stiffness. An inward-turning flange forms the hull-to-deck joint, which is bonded and through-bolted beneath an aluminium toe rail. Stainless-steel flat-bar chainplates connect to the internal structure through bulkheads or knees.
The acrylic cabin windows sit in frames mechanically fastened through the cabin sides rather than bonded in place. A sea hood, a cabin top shaped to shed water, and a hatch that does not appear to leak make for a practical deck that manages spray.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
The Cirrus carries a masthead-sloop rig with about 211 square feet of working sail. That is modest canvas for a relatively heavy, well-ballasted hull carrying more than 1,400 pounds of iron on a draft of 3 feet 6 inches.
The fin keel and transom-hung rudder provide predictable behaviour. The helm remains light to moderate, with only a gentle increase in weather helm as the boat heels. Downwind, she tracks well for her size, while the high ballast ratio helps keep her on her feet under a big genoa or spinnaker.
Reefing is straightforward. Many owners carry full sail into winds in the low teens before taking the first reef as the breeze builds. The boat is easy to manage short-handed, and the hinged mast helps with bridge transit. The mainsail must be fed onto the mast at each hoist.
Period reviews described the Cirrus as slow for her size but steady. Upwind, she rewards a sensible plan and patience. With a clean bottom, she makes roughly 5 to 5.5 knots in moderate air.
Accommodation
The Cirrus fits an unusual range of amenities into a 22-footer. The forward vee-berth sleeps two average adults and is better than its length might suggest. To starboard is an enclosed head with a door. Opposite, a small, tidy galley has a new sink with a faucet that folds down for stowage; the sink cover doubles as preparation space.
A dinette sits to starboard opposite the galley, with a quarter berth to port and a small hanging locker. Storage is plentiful for a boat of this size, and a 6-foot sailor can stand easily below.
The large ports bring in plenty of light but do not open. Ventilation is basic, relying on the forehatch and companionway, along with opening ports only if fitted.
Known Issues
Water intrusion is the recurring weak point. There is substantial damage to the lining board at the companionway bulkhead, and the surrounding wood needs replacement. A cross member at the bottom has also rotted from moisture.
The wooden lazarette covers require renewal, as does the cockpit grate. One surveyed hull was a salvage boat with almost-unused rigging, a new owner-fabricated tiller, and an overhead hatch repaired with Lexan or Plexiglas.
Propulsion, Trailering, and Ownership
Many Cirrus 22s have been converted to outboard propulsion in a transom well or fitted with a small diesel. A few left the factory with Stuart Turner petrol inboards.
The boat can be moved easily on a stout trailer for home storage. At least one Cirrus 22 has sailed around the world—a testament to a Westerly built to withstand hard water.
The Verdict
The Cirrus 22 is a thoughtfully arranged small cruiser with genuine offshore roots in a trailerable package. She requires patience upwind, but rewards it with steady, secure handling. Her interior layout also offers far more than might be expected from a boat of this length.
The main concerns are wood rot around the companionway and cockpit joinery. Those issues are manageable for an owner prepared to keep water out.
Pros
- Enclosed head and workable galley, both rare at this size
- High ballast ratio and predictable fin-keel handling
- Trailerable, with a hinged mast for inland transit
- Proven bluewater tolerance in a small hull
Cons
- Slow for her size under modest sail power
- Companionway and cockpit wood are prone to water rot
- Fixed, non-opening ports limit ventilation
- Mainsail must be fed onto the mast at each hoist
