Westerly Centaur or Westerly Griffon

[Bray Sailor]

Hi all, no doubt this may have been covered before. Can I have your opinions on the Centaur vs the Griffon before I purchase (hopefully !) in 2018. I want to stay around the 26ft mark. Both yachts have a lot going for them so I'd appreciate help in making a decision.

[Jolly Roger]

The Griffon is the next generation of design compared to the Centaur. The Griffon sails faster and handles better, also has a more modern interior. So, although the Centaur is a great boat, the Griffon would be my choice - provided it is within your budget.

[Bray Sailor]

Thank you for your reply. I'll have to save some more money then!

[steve parry]

Hi,

Agree with Jolly Roger, the Griffon is a lot younger boat and most likely come in better condition. As stated, go for the Griffon if your budget will stretch to it!

Good Luck

Steve Parry - WALKABOUT

[Bray Sailor]

Thank you Steve. The Centaur, which I knew a little bit about, came more to my notice through watching Dylan Winter's "Keep Turning Left" blog which in a general sense is great for promoting sailing and Westerly yachts. Trawling through the WOA forum I noticed the Griffon got favourable notices so here I am. The Griffon is now my aim!

[Hillary]

I too am a fan of keep turning left. When I was looking for a boat I wanted either a Centaur or a Griffon. I looked at quite a few and found that the Griffons that were available at the time were more expensive and the ones I found were in poor condition.I then saw a Centaur which was well kept with a lovely interior and went for that. I have not regretted it.

[Jolly Roger]

Just found this Griffon for sale at a very reasonable price.
http://www.ybw.com/boats-for-sale/5931402?currency=GBP

[UserError]

I've not had experience of this personally, but when I was researching my options, I found a thread ( http://www.westerly-owners.co.uk/woafor ... php?t=2485 ) where respondents generally agreed the Griffon was better BUT due to the hull shape slammed more when going to windward. I hate that so it put me off.

[Fulmar433]

I don't think you can go far wrong with either. Everyone will have their favourite. There will be both good and bad examples of both models. You need to look at both and see which design best suits you. I think you will be shocked how two 26 footers can vary in internal volume. If you can get a sail in both it would be good, you will notice the difference. The slamming of the Griffon has been mentioned. I have the Griffon's bigger sister the Fulmar with bilge keels, yes it does slam occasionally and a bit nerve wracking when it lands hard if you haven't experienced it before, but it only seems to happen in certain conditions, not all the time. I think it is related to wavelength. I sail my Fulmar mainly single handed. With everything back to the cockpit it is so much easier.

As I said, have a look at both and decide which fits your type of sailing and budget. Look for the best example you can find. A tatty boat can appear cheap, but will probably cost you more bringing it up to spec than a better equipped, tidier example.

[Bray Sailor]

Great replies from all. Keep them coming! I'm not in any rush to buy just yet as I'm waiting to sell my present boat (a 33ft bilge keel which slammed only very occasionally). I hope to have funds going into the 2018 sailing season at least by April. My preference is for a bilge keel version and one that is in really good order. The 26ft for ease of solo sailing and hopefully reduced cost. I am tempted by the larger Merlin or Konsort but they are outside of my budget for now though if the price was right ....Does anyone have any thoughts on the skeg rudder (Centaur) vs the transom rudder (Griffon)? My previous boat had the skeg rudder which was very handy when taking the ground or going astern and seemed more responsive on the turn.

[Bray Sailor]

Just found this Griffon for sale at a very reasonable price.
http://www.ybw.com/boats-for-sale/5931402?currency=GBP

Lovely price and boat but I'm looking for a bilge keel version