Westerly offered three variants: the Mk I, Mk II, and Club. All shared the same basic hull and rig but differed in trim and finish.
Design and Construction
The Griffon measures 26 feet overall, with a 21.58-foot waterline and a beam of 9.25 feet. Displacement is about 6,000 pounds, including 2,717 pounds of ballast.
Every variant uses the same solid-fiberglass hull, built with Westerly’s robust layup, which earned a good reputation for strength. Keel choices included twin bilge keels—the most common arrangement—a fin keel, and a rare lifting keel. The bilge-keel version draws roughly 3 feet 3 inches, while the fin draws around 4.75 feet, or 4 feet 9 inches.
Writing in Yachting Monthly, testers found the hull well constructed. Wide sidedecks have good moulded non-slip surfaces, and a full-height guardrail adds security for the crew. The Mk I was a little basic and lacked the smart teak joinery found in the Mk II, though all Griffons are comfortable and practical above and below decks.
Rig, Handling, and Performance
All Griffons carry a sturdy masthead sloop rig with a single pair of straight spreaders, cap shrouds, aft lowers, a babystay, and a split backstay. Rotostay headsail furling and cockpit-led reefing lines were standard. The mainsheet track is on the afterdeck, but the shortish boom rather compromises the sheeting angle.
Steering is through an unbalanced, transom-hung rudder. Even so, testers noted that the tiller remains sensitive without producing excessive weather helm. The bilge-keel model particularly dislikes being pinned close to the wind and makes some 8–10 degrees of leeway. Ease her to around 45 degrees apparent in a Force 4–5, however, and she tramps along nicely at 6 knots or more.
For a 26-footer, the Griffon is well known for steady, reasonably brisk performance. She has a sea-kindly manner even when pushed hard and is easily capable of secure, comfortable long passages. In port, she manoeuvres easily under power, while the rig and deck layout make her well suited to singlehanded sailing.
Cockpit and Deck Layout
The cockpit is one of the Griffon’s strong points. It provides a spacious working area with 2-meter (6-foot 8-inch) seats and a footwell correctly sized for bracing as the boat heels. The wide, flat-topped coamings are set high for safety and angled for comfort.
A deep cockpit locker houses the water and fuel tanks. Two large drains sit in the aft end of the sole, and a manual bilge pump is set into the sole where it can be operated while still helming.
Forward, the deck remains uncluttered. A simple chain pipe feeds the anchor chain below, and a bow roller accommodates a self-stowing anchor. The pushpit has a gate and folding transom ladder, with stowage on either side for man-overboard equipment and an outboard.
Accommodation
Below, a double berth fills the forepeak, while a double quarter berth extends beneath the cockpit. The saloon berths can also serve as singles, and headroom is 1.83 meters (6 feet).
The galley is minimalist, and there’s no shower, but the boat does have an enclosed heads compartment. Overall, the interior provides comfortable, practical accommodation in a 26-foot hull.
Engines and Ownership
Many Griffons still have their original 13-horsepower Volvo or Bukh diesel. Others have been re-engined, often with a 20-horsepower Beta.
The standard furling headsail and cockpit-led reefing help make the Griffon easy to sail, whether for a couple, a small family, or a singlehanded skipper. With its secure cockpit, practical deck layout, and reputation as a steady coastal and short- to medium-range offshore cruiser, it remains a sensible and economical pocket cruiser for owners who value simplicity over speed.
Known Issues
Some early bilge-keel Griffons had a keel-attachment problem that required reinforcement by Westerly under a recall. On any twin-keel example from the first production years, it’s worth confirming that the factory remedy was carried out.
Practical features such as the large cockpit drains and accessible bilge pump support safe coastal and offshore use.
The Verdict
The Griffon 26 is a thoughtfully modernized successor to the Centaur. Under Dubois’s hand, it trades some volume for a brisker, more sea-kindly hull. It isn’t a speed machine, and the bilge keels make noticeable leeway close-hauled, but the secure cockpit, practical systems, and solid construction make it a confident choice for coastal and medium offshore cruising on a modest budget.
Pros
- Solid-fiberglass hull with Westerly’s strong layup and a good reputation for durability
- Secure, well-drained cockpit with an accessible bilge pump and high guardrails
- Easy singlehanded sailing with standard headsail furling and cockpit-led reefing
- Comfortable berths fore and aft, plus an enclosed heads in a 26-foot hull
Cons
- Bilge-keel version makes 8–10 degrees of leeway and dislikes close-winded sailing
- Minimalist galley and no shower below decks
- Early bilge-keel hulls were subject to a recall for keel-attachment reinforcement
