Design and Construction
Dubois drew the Griffon 26 at 26 feet overall with a 21.58-foot waterline and a beam of 9.25 feet, displacing about 6,000 pounds with 2,717 pounds of ballast. The hull is solid fiberglass built to Westerly's robust layup, which earned a good reputation for strength, and every variant shares that same core shell. Keel options spanned twin bilge keels — the most common configuration — a fin keel drawing around 4.75 feet, and a rare lifting keel; the bilge-keel version sits at roughly 3 feet 3 inches, the fin at 4 feet 9 inches. Writing in Yachting Monthly, testers found the hull well-constructed, with wide sidedecks carrying good moulded non-slip and a full-height guardrail for crew security. The Mk I was a little basic and lacked the smart teak joinery seen on the Mk II, though all Griffons are comfortable and practical above and below decks.
Rig and Handling
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 furling headsail and cockpit-led reefing lines were standard, and the mainsheet track sits on the afterdeck — but a shortish boom rather compromises the sheeting angle. Steering is by an unbalanced, transom-hung rudder, yet testers noted the tiller remains sensitive without excessive weather helm. Under sail the bilge-keel model particularly dislikes being pinned close to the wind, making some 8–10 degrees of leeway, but eased to around 45 degrees apparent in a Force 4–5 she tramps along nicely at 6 knots or more. She is well known for steady, reasonably brisk performance for a 26-footer, with a sea-kindly manner even when pushed hard, and is easily capable of secure, comfortable long passages. In port she proves a nimble yacht that manoeuvres easily under power, and the layout makes her ideal for singlehanded sailing.
Accommodations
The cockpit is a strong point: a spacious working area with 2-meter (6-foot 8-inch) seats, a footwell correctly sized for bracing as she heels, and wide flat-topped coamings set high for safety and angled for comfort. A deep cockpit locker houses the water and fuel tanks, while two large drains at the aft sole and a manual bilge pump set into the sole — operable while still helming — address water management. Below, a double berth fills the forepeak and a double quarter berth tucks under the cockpit, with saloon berths that can serve as singles; headroom runs 1.83 meters (6 feet). The galley is minimalist and there is no shower, but an enclosed heads compartment is fitted. The foredeck stays uncluttered with a simple chain-pipe to feed anchor chain below and a bow roller for a self-stowing anchor, while the pushpit has a gate and folding transom ladder with stowage either side for man-overboard kit and an outboard.
Known Issues
Some early bilge-keeled Griffons suffered a keel-attachment problem that required reinforcement by Westerly under a recall, so any twin-keel example from the first production years warrants confirmation that the factory remedy was carried out. The practical deck features — large cockpit drains, accessible bilge pump — support safe coastal and offshore use.
Refits and Ownership
Many Griffons retain their original 13-horsepower Volvo or Bukh diesel, though some have been re-engined, often with a 20-horsepower Beta. The standard furling headsail and cockpit-led reefing make for an easy-to-sail boat that suits a couple or small family economically. With her secure cockpit, practical deck layout, and reputation as a steady coastal and short- to medium-range offshore cruiser, she remains a sensible pocket cruiser for owners who value simplicity over speed.
The Verdict
The Griffon 26 is a thoughtfully modernized successor to the Centaur, trading some volume for a brisker, more seakindly hull under Dubois's hand. She is not a speed machine and the bilge keels make their leeway close-hauled, but the secure cockpit, practical systems, and solid build make her a confident choice for coastal and medium offshore cruising on a modest budget.
Pros
- Solid fiberglass hull with strong Westerly layup and good reputation for durability
- Secure, well-drained cockpit with operable bilge pump and high guardrails
- Easy singlehanded sailing with standard furling headsail and cockpit reefing
- Comfortable berths fore and aft plus enclosed heads on a 26-foot hull
Cons
- Bilge-keel version makes 8–10° leeway and dislikes close-winded sailing
- Minimalist galley and no shower below decks
- Early bilge-keel hulls subject to recall for keel-attachment reinforcement
