The Westerly Cirrus 22 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The Westerly Cirrus 22 is a classic British sailboat that was designed by John A. Butler and built by Westerly Marine Ltd in tyhe UK. It is a small but seaworthy cruiser that can accommodate up to four people in a cozy cabin. It is easy to handle and fun to sail, and has a loyal following of owners and enthusiasts.

A Westerly Cirrus 22 sailboat sailing downwind

Published Specification for the Westerly Cirrus

Underwater Profile: Fin keel & spade rudder

Hull Material: GRP (Fibreglass)

Length Overall: 22'0" (6.7m)

Waterline Length: 19'0" (5.8m)

Beam: 8'0" (2.4m)

Draft: 3'6" (1.1m)

Rig Type: Sloop

Displacement: 3,240lb (1,470kg)

Ballast: 1,455lb (660kg)

Designer: John Butler

Builder: Westerly Marine Ltd (UK)

Year First Built: 1968

Year Last Built: 1972

Number Built: 398


Published Design Ratios for the Westerly Cirrus

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 17.1

2. Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 44.9

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 211

4. Comfort Ratio: 15.8

5. Capsize Screening Formula: 2.2

Read more about these Key Performance Indicators...

Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the Westerly Cirrus

1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 17.1 suggests that the Westerly Cirrus will, in the right conditions, approach her maximum hull speed readily and satisfy the sailing performance expectations of most cruising sailors.

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 44.9 means that the Westerly Cirrus will stand up well to her canvas in a blow, helping her to power through the waves.

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 211, tells us the Westerly Cirrus is a moderate displacement cruiser, which means she'll carry all your cruising gear without it having a dramatic effect on her performance. Most of today's sailboats intended for offshore cruising fall into this displacement category.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 15.8 suggests that the Westerly Cirrus will have the motion underway to that of a lightweight racing boat, although she certainly isn't one. Crew comfort will often be memorable for all the wrong reasons. Upwind in lively conditions the Westerly Cirrus will slam enough to shake your fillings out with a motion that most cruising sailors have no desire to get used to.

5. The Capsize Screening Formula of 2.2 tells us that a Westerly Cirrus would not be as good a choice of sailboat for ocean passage-making, owing to the increased risk of capsize in strong winds and heavy seas when compared to a sailboat with a CSF of less than 2.0.


Any Questions?

What other versions of the Westerly Cirrus 22 were built?

There were two other versions of the Westerly Cirrus 22: the Westerly Pageant 23 and the Westerly Windrush 25. The Pageant 23 was a slightly longer version with a bilge keel and a different cabin layout. The Windrush 25 was a stretched version with a longer waterline and more sail area.

What is the accommodation like in the Westerly Cirrus 22?

The Westerly Cirrus 22 has a simple but functional accommodation for up to four people. There is a V-berth in the forepeak, a dinette that converts to a double berth in the saloon, and a small galley with a sink and stove. There is also a separate head compartment with a marine toilet.

What, if any, alternative accommodation layout versions are available for the Westerly Cirrus 22?

There are no alternative accommodation layout versions for the Westerly Cirrus 22, as far as I know. The original design was optimized for space and comfort in a small boat.

What is the Westerly Cirrus 22 like to sail?

The Westerly Cirrus 22 is a lively and responsive sailboat that can handle a variety of wind and sea conditions. It is easy to sail single-handed or with a small crew, and has good speed and stability. It is also suitable for racing or cruising, depending on the equipment and preferences of the owner.

What is the average cost of a secondhand Westerly Cirrus 22?

The average cost of a secondhand Westerly Cirrus 22 depends on the condition, age, location, and features of the boat. Based on some online listings, it can range from £2,000 to £6,000.

Is this boatbuilder still in business?

No, unfortunately, this boatbuilder is not still in business. Westerly Marine Ltd was founded in 1963 and produced over 12,000 boats until it went into receivership in 2000. The company was later acquired by Vision Yachts, which continued to produce some models until 2007.

What other sailboats have been created by this designer?

John A. Butler was a prolific yacht designer who created many sailboats for Westerly Marine Ltd and other builders. Some of his other designs include the Westerly Centaur, the Westerly Fulmar, the Westerly Griffon, the Westerly Konsort, the Westerly Longbow, the Westerly Merlin, the Westerly Renown, the Westerly Storm, and the Westerly Tempest.

The above answers were drafted by sailboat-cruising.com using GPT-4 (OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model) as a research assistant to develop source material; to the best of our knowledge, we believe them to be accurate.


Other sailboats in the Westerly range include:


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