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Length overall: 26' 0"
Waterline length: 21' 4"
Maximum beam: 8' 5"
Maximum draft: 3' 0"
Displacement/ weight: 5,500 lbs
Fuel capacity: 10 Gallons
Water capacity: 12 Gallons
Sail area: 384sq ft
Pros:
Spacious, large galley, popular model
Cons:
Vulnerable keel
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The Centaur is a steady, seaworthy and highly popular boat, without doubt the most sought after class for used boat tests. First time buyers are attracted by their reputation as safe boats, yet they are most well known as boats who keep their value, and for that reason, many owners hold onto them for long periods. The boat stands as an example of innovative design conceived at a time when small cruising craft were simply scaled down versions of larger yachts.
When Denis Rayner, the Westerly company owner, decided to change from plywood to GRP construction in 1963, he asked Jack Giles to design an elegant but practical boat with a comfortable, roomy interior and full standing headroom. Named the Centaur, she was probably one of the most popular cruising boats ever designed, with 2,444 sold since she was launched at the London Boat show in 1969.
She was to have two cabins and a choice of three layouts: A with six berths, B with 5 and C with 4. All three layouts feature a convertible twin V-berth in the forecabin, and quarter berths on the port and starboard sides. The design is now thirty six years old but few boats, past or present, can match her for roominess.
With a headroom of 1.8m (5ft 11in), the saloon can be considered as pretty spacious. The convertible dinette shaped table on the port side, provides comfortable seating and eating arrangements, whilst large windows let in plenty of light. Early boats had one round porthole in the forward cabin trunk, but these were to be replaced first by two square portholes, and then later still by two square opening ports.
The design brief called for a large galley, set on the starboard side, built with a moulded GRP unit well ahead of its time, which incidentally also added to the structural strength of the boat. The galley features a two burner gimballed unit with a grill hob, plate racks plus a moulded sink and drainer. There is also a detachable worktop, making sure this dinette arrangement has proved to be very popular.
The head, where headroom is 1.7m (5ft 7in), was to be separate from the main compartment, with many of the later boats having a washbasin fitted as standard.
The design was so successful that the Laurent Giles team were asked to continue the Centaur formula which in time led to the Westerly Warwick 21ft and the Pageant 23ft in the 1970's, all with standing headroom, separate heads and an inboard engine. They could be said to be mini-Centaurs.
All used boats should be surveyed before you part with your hard earned cash. Out on dry land, the twin bilge keels are seen to be splayed and explain her ability to take the ground with the added benefit of a shallow draft. The keels are a vulnerable part of the hull and should be checked for damage inflicted when settling in soft deep mud or hitting solid ground. If there are signs of repair to the roots, check that the interior floors and bondings have also been adequately strengthened. Later boats had the fairing taken quite far forward. Your surveyor should also check for osmosis, and despite the fact that Centaurs seem to be quite sound in this respect, careful inspection between the keels might reveal a problem. Sometimes windows show signs of corrosion, yet be wary, as taking them out will often reveal even more problems that become increasingly more difficult to repair.
Most Centaurs were sloop-rigged, though a few ketches can be found. The early ones had a single forestay and hanked foresail, often changed later to a rolling genoa. Some of the deck hardware might be improved with later fittings.
With her high, wide and long cabin trunk the Centaur profile has a somewhat chunky look. But the accommodation it provides amply outweighs her somewhat bulky appearence.
The deep cockpit, with its high coamings provides a generous and safe space and can take four people with ease. The sloops have tillers and the ketches, to accommodate the extra mast are fitted with a wheel. The Centaur's hull is wider than most boats of its time with good side decks, as well as a lazarette deck locker which has plenty of room for fenders or containers. The engine is placed under the forward end of the cockpit, with access from behind the easily moved panel under the saloon steps. Engines may well have been replaced and were fitted originally with 6hp Volvo MD 1Bs and 23hp Volvo MD11Cs. A few early Centaurs were even powered by outboard motor.
Westerly owners association:www.westerly-owners.co.uk
Price guide:
Used Centaurs vary widely in price depending on year built and condition, but can be anything between £9,000 and £14,000. Good used boats continue to be in demand and offer excellent value and outstanding comfort for the cruising sailor.
