Centurion 32

[lost in france]

I'm off tomorrow to look at a Centurion 32.
Over the years I've owned a Cutlass 27 and Nic 35 so I'm no stranger to a classic yacht!
Dad had a Contessa 32 so I'm a little in ' the know'
From what I'm picking up is the Centurion 32 is a French version of the Contessa 32, but the Centurion 32 was not entered in the 79 Fastnet where the Contessa managed to finish and won its class.
And the Contessa ever since has been 10k plus dearer.
My question is does the Centurion 32 have keel bolts as the keel doesn't appear to be encapsulated...or if it is encapsulated then there's a very serious problem.
Anyone in the know on this before I go to offer and survey?
Thanks in advance

 

[penfold]

If it's not encapsulated then there will be keelbolts, but some boatbuilders hide them under GRP/flowcoat. I've not been on a centurion for 20+ years so I can't remember, but the images google comes up with seem to show an external bolted-on keel and the Yachting Monthly thumbnail says the keel is lead, it would be unusual to encapsulate lead.

 

[johnalison]

I’ve never associated the Centurion 32 with the Contessa. I thought it was a very good-looking Holman design, which was at one time my dream boat, but I never got as far as wondering about the keel design.

 

[Motor_Sailor]

The Centurion 32 has nothing to do with the Contessa 32. The Centurion is a development of Kim Holman's long evolving line of cruiser / racer designs although by the time it was designed in the late 60's, Kim had lost nearly all interest in yacht design and it's like the Centurion was pretty much 100% Don Pye.

The Contessa 32 was David Sadler's design that owes its inspiration not to Holman and Pye, but to the huge number of (RORC / CCA and then IOR ) S&S designs of about that size built around that time and whose lines were published regularly in the magasines.

 

[lost in france]

I’ve never associated the Centurion 32 with the Contessa. I thought it was a very good-looking Holman design, which was at one time my dream boat, but I never got as far as wondering about the keel design.

Centurion keel setup is very similar to the Contessa, probably 8 inch extra draft and extra 4 inch on the beam.
Slightly heavier than the Contessa but I'm attracted to the interior with its grp white head lining that has stood the test of time.
Never raced anywhere near as much as the Contessa hence for comparable money the Centurions are still nice overall.
I'll probably get slated by the Contessa camp!

 

[doug748]

The Centurion is the bigger boat, as you say, these snaps of the two may illustrate things a bit. The French boat seems fuller in the forward sections and has more freeboard and bigger coachroof. Under way it is likely to be less light on it's toes than the Contessa but any differences will be hardly worth thinking about if you can save 10 grand and get a well cared for boat.






Lead ballast attached to a substantial keel stub is a fine method of construction, with it's own advantages, so well worth having. Over the years I have read that owners on here rate the quality of construction so no worries there.

One point of note is that the Centurion has an offset prop, like an old school fishing boat, so all the best at close quarters :- ( Not all bad news, because it will work well in a straight line and removing the prop and shaft will be easy. Very exposed to weed and fouling with ropes though and no hiding the prop in an aperture; a three blade job would be like towing a bucket.
I have seen a boat with more conventional prop and even (I think) one with a saildrive so maybe there was a Mark 3 version? More likely that some boats were modified by owners.

.

 

[penfold]

I can concur on the build quality; the one I was on was very well screwed together. From pics on google the shaft is offset to port but not by much; forwards it will turn a lot better to port than stbd, what it will do astern is anyone's guess

 

[KAM]

Can vouch for Wauquiez and the lead stub keel arrangement. Hit a couple of rocks quite hard with mine this season. Just a couple of taps with a hammer to knock out the dents.

 

[johnalison]

The Centurion is the bigger boat, as you say, these snaps of the two may illustrate things a bit. The French boat seems fuller in the forward sections and has more freeboard and bigger coachroof. Under way it is likely to be less light on it's toes than the Contessa but any differences will be hardly worth thinking about if you can save 10 grand and get a well cared for boat.


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Lead ballast attached to a substantial keel stub is a fine method of construction, with it's own advantages, so well worth having. Over the years I have read that owners on here rate the quality of construction so no worries there.

One point of note is that the Centurion has an offset prop, like an old school fishing boat, so all the best at close quarters :- ( Not all bad news, because it will work well in a straight line and removing the prop and shaft will be easy. Very exposed to weed and fouling with ropes though and no hiding the prop in an aperture; a three blade job would be like towing a bucket.
I have seen a boat with more conventional prop and even (I think) one with a saildrive so maybe there was a Mark 3 version? More likely that some boats were modified by owners.

.

A friend had a Sadler 32 with an offset prop, presumably to counter prop walk. On their first foreign cruise in their new 2nd hand boat the prop shaft disconnected itself from the engine and the only thing that stopped it falling right out was that the 2-blade prop was horizontal when it hit the skeg. I think they put a jubilee clip on the shaft to secure it when they got it back in place.

 

[doug748]

Looks like the OP has made two posts and departed. However, a heads up, there is a very handy looking Centurion on Ebay asking just under 16k. You can follow the links to a video and sale blogette. They don't come up very often in the UK.

Nothing to do with me but could be useful if you are in the market.

 

[Stemar]

A quick Google found this - sounds good to me!

Centurion 32, it has too much class
Buy a Centurion 32 It's a bit like buying an old Jaguar. It's beautiful and timeless. When will we see a vintage version, like a Mini? Obviously, this narrow hull does not compare with more recent boats, in terms of living space or downwind performance. But the budget, ready to sail, is divided by three or four. A good reason to squeeze into the front berth, after all... especially since a couple can envisage a nice trip on board.

The diagnosis of Bateaux.com
You get what you pay for: the construction quality of the Wauquiez yard is not a myth. A Centurion can be completely rebuilt with confidence, because the base is always sound. A simple look under the floors will reassure you: the floors are strong. On the other hand, the engine, sails and fittings often require investments.

Centurion 32
"Like all manufactured products, the boat is sold practically by the kilo. Moreover, each kilo on board imposes its own additional square decimeter of sail area, and tucking in a 35-square-meter genoa can make you wish you'd been more diligent in attending a gymnastics club."

Jacques Monsault, owner of a 32 Centurion

Centurion 32

The advantages

• Timeless silhouette
• Upwind performance
• At ease and comfortable on the high seas

The -

• Doesn't float at bearing gaits
• Demanding genoa to be tucked in
• Rather small interior volume for a 32 footer