ericflint
New member
We are considering a Griffon. What do I look for and what do yo think of them for longer passages. Could it go the long way to the Med???
Any advice welcomed.
Thanks
Any advice welcomed.
Thanks
Westerly Griffon
- Thread starter ericflint
- Start date
jamesjermain
Active member
The Westerly Griffon is a fine little family cruiser. I am surprised an owner has not already posted some encouraging words for you.
Westerly always had problems with the headlinings of earlier boats but I don't know whether the Griffon did or not. Otherwize there are no known recurring problems.
As far as making long passages is concerned, it's more a question of whether YOU are happy making long passages in a 26ft boat. With a sensible attitude to the weather, good equipment and good seamanship, she is certainly capable of long passages though she was really only designed for coastal cruising and occasional Channel crossing.
If you take her to me Med, do it in short hops and use the Canal du Midi and you will be fine. Get it wrong round Finisterre or Cape St Vincent and you could experience a few very uncomfortable hours indeed.
JJ
Westerly always had problems with the headlinings of earlier boats but I don't know whether the Griffon did or not. Otherwize there are no known recurring problems.
As far as making long passages is concerned, it's more a question of whether YOU are happy making long passages in a 26ft boat. With a sensible attitude to the weather, good equipment and good seamanship, she is certainly capable of long passages though she was really only designed for coastal cruising and occasional Channel crossing.
If you take her to me Med, do it in short hops and use the Canal du Midi and you will be fine. Get it wrong round Finisterre or Cape St Vincent and you could experience a few very uncomfortable hours indeed.
JJ
FlyingSpud
Member
I had a Griffon for about 5 years until I sold her this summer. IMHO she is, for her size, as well built a boat, as you will find, sharing many features with the larger Westerlys. Like any boat, she is a compromise, you cannot expect to have a tough sea boat that goes like the clappers and yet has huge accommodation. I felt she was a good blend, would never let us down in difficult conditions, sailed far better than you would expect and that the accommodation was OK
For your purposes, it is the last bit that may be a bit of a worry. 26 feet is a small boat to use on a long journey, and I suppose you could get a bigger (less well built) boat for the same money.
We never went that far, up and down the French/Belgian /Dutch coast for a few weeks at a time. If you are talking of port hopping that would be OK I suppose. Let’s put it this way, she would be as good as any other 26 footer
Obviously, before spending money on a survey, check for any obvious signs of movement on the keels and, if you can get to see the bottom, any signs of blisters. Personally, I think there is something to be said for looking at a boat that had keel problems that has been worked on.
I doubt you will find anyone who has had a Griffon who will rubbish her. I just tried to list her weaknesses, and found it came up as remarkably small, and rather nit picking: the galley is a little small and you end up using the step as a work top; the electrics are a bit difficult to work on because of the engine; the right hand bunk is really only of use to kids; and that’s about it really.
Finally, I sold mine for a couple of thousand more than I bought her for, which is quite an important factor, especially, if you are thinking of later moving up a size of two in later years.
For your purposes, it is the last bit that may be a bit of a worry. 26 feet is a small boat to use on a long journey, and I suppose you could get a bigger (less well built) boat for the same money.
We never went that far, up and down the French/Belgian /Dutch coast for a few weeks at a time. If you are talking of port hopping that would be OK I suppose. Let’s put it this way, she would be as good as any other 26 footer
Obviously, before spending money on a survey, check for any obvious signs of movement on the keels and, if you can get to see the bottom, any signs of blisters. Personally, I think there is something to be said for looking at a boat that had keel problems that has been worked on.
I doubt you will find anyone who has had a Griffon who will rubbish her. I just tried to list her weaknesses, and found it came up as remarkably small, and rather nit picking: the galley is a little small and you end up using the step as a work top; the electrics are a bit difficult to work on because of the engine; the right hand bunk is really only of use to kids; and that’s about it really.
Finally, I sold mine for a couple of thousand more than I bought her for, which is quite an important factor, especially, if you are thinking of later moving up a size of two in later years.
