First boat for a tallish sailor

[EntropyUK]

I think the OP is not used to boats, and therefore doesn't appreciate that one doesn't necessarily actually need full standing headroom, etc. (nice though such things are to have). One quickly adapts to some degree of restriction in height/width etc.

I am not saying that headroom etc. is unimportant, but highlighting that it is probably not crucial to have full clearance of one's height

I am the same height as the OP, but my last boat, a 23 footer, didn't have full standing headroom for me - it was perhaps 5'9", 5'10" or so - but I was just used to having my head tilted as I moved about below and was barely aware of it being a restriction. Increased height didn't even appear on my lists of 'must haves' and 'would like to haves' when I was looking for a replacement boat! The boat I did get has a little more height, and more extensively through the boat, but is still not full standing headroom for me, and hasn't bothered me.

Likewise various other constraints. The OP mentions the toilet compartment in the Centaur being too cramped, and it being difficult to enter/exit, but often such things will soon seem less so, or be forgotten entirely, when you have quickly and unconsciously learnt that you need to, say, enter right shoulder first, and move your left foot this way or that when you are opening the door to leave, or whatever. There is a difference between a compartment that is cramped (as they all will be on a boat that size), and one that is too cramped.

Strangely enough, on my previous boat it was not me but my then partner, significantly shorter than me, who used to sometimes bump her head on the ring beam that supported the mast and further restricted the headroom between the saloon and the forward V berth!

A berth that is too short, though, is definitely a pain, but as others have said, you would normally sleep on one of the other berths, rather than the V berth (which are often, in boats of that age and size, really more suited to kids and other shorter people, or storage).

I think the responder has not read all my replies and assume I am Centaur bashing
I am the opposite. Whilst I love the headroom in the cabin, I could not accept the restictive shuffle required to use the heads. This is something that I personally require as a basic minimum. Given my height and width. I do not want to say that I prefer shitting I to a bucket because it is easier than.using the heads of a Centaur!

 

[Stemar]

Westerley Konsort or Fulmar should suit, at 30 ft. But as a 6ft 4 in sailor myself, you have to get into the high 30 footers to gain more headroom and that's demanding for a starter hull.

Lovely boats, but I suspect that either in the OP's budget would mean he spent the next few years getting it into shape rather than sailing.

 

[Concerto]

If you like the Centaur then look at her bigger sister the Westerly Konsort as it is still within the 30ft length. They are easy to sail and loved by many owners. The layout is certainly more roomy and very sea worthy. There are plenty available secondhand as there were over 700 built. For more information have a look at the Westerly Owners Association web page on the Konsort and these links.

Konsort - Westerly-Wiki
Westerly Konsort archive data - Yachtsnet Ltd. online UK yacht brokers - yacht brokerage and boat sales
Westerly Konsort review: a re-purchase 40 years on - Yachting Monthly
Westerly Konsort: space, security & good performance - Practical Boat Owner

 

[Tranona]

If you like the Centaur then look at her bigger sister the Westerly Konsort as it is still within the 30ft length. They are easy to sail and loved by many owners. The layout is certainly more roomy and very sea worthy. There are plenty available secondhand as there were over 700 built. For more information have a look at the Westerly Owners Association web page on the Konsort and these links.

Konsort - Westerly-Wiki
Westerly Konsort archive data - Yachtsnet Ltd. online UK yacht brokers - yacht brokerage and boat sales
Westerly Konsort review: a re-purchase 40 years on - Yachting Monthly
Westerly Konsort: space, security & good performance - Practical Boat Owner

There are plenty of other boats with more space than the Centaur, but larger ones like the Konsort are not available within his his £6k budget - or even his maybe up to £10k

 

[Concerto]

There are plenty of other boats with more space than the Centaur, but larger ones like the Konsort are not available within his his £6k budget - or even his maybe up to £10k

Westerly Konsort 1984 for sale £8000 ono

 

[obmij]

I am 6ft 2 and had a centaur for around 6 years. The only time I found the lack of headroom annoying was when doing the washing up as at no other time was I actually obliged to stand. I found the forecabin comfortable and the rest of the boat pretty spacious considering the length. The heads do require some manoeuvring but are serviceable.

I have very fond memories of the boat as we had some great adventures, but when looking to buy I had no particular preference for a centaur over any other boat - but after a lot of viewings I found that they offered both more space per £ and also the most space for their size if that makes sense.

As an alternative - perhaps consider a Hunter Horizon? Not much more to buy and slightly more modern. Very different layout with no forcabin - so the 'saloon' might appear to be more spacious. I think headroom is pretty much the same. I don't recall the heads being much bigger but maybe they are more ergonomically friendly.

 

[obmij]

Westerly Konsort 1984 for sale £8000 ono

Looks like a nice boat at a great price.

 

[Daydream believer]

Twin keels are not essential on the East Coast despite what you might think. It really depends on whether you want to take advantage of what they offer such a the use of a drying mooring, exploring upper reaches and drying out and not needing a cradle for out of water storage.

I think that is an important statement that many do not appreciate. My 1.8 draft has rarely worried me except for watching the time I arrive/depart Bradwell Marina. But it just becomes second nature. One will find that having looked for a shallow draft craft, owners will still insist on having 2 metres below the keel, when crossing a bank, or going up that muddy featureless ditch.

 

[Daydream believer]

I am 6ft 6ins. In my 2 Stellas there was no way I could stand so I learned to "shuffle bum" along the berths. When sitting height is no problem. The height issue goes horizontally & I soon found bunks to be the issue. When I refitted my second Stella I lengthened the berths. So make sure you look for that.
My current Hanse has about 6ft 3-4 ins headroom & walking about can really hurt ones back on a bad day, if at the galley etc. I have to line my head up with the hatch. So in some ways a boat with totally insufficient headroom is no worse than one with just not quite enough. I can stand up OK when the boat heals though

 

[doug748]

Looks like a nice boat at a great price.

The catch is that it is in Guernsey and that would mean 20% VAT on import plus the vagaries on the UK certification cock up.

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[Tranona]

The catch is that it is in Guernsey and that would mean 20% VAT on import plus the vagaries on the UK certification cock up.

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Yes, that would account for the low price. Would think there is very little demand for that sort of boat in the CIs.

 

[ashtead]

Maybe a cheap summer holiday home in Jersey might be a use? I assume berths are to had in the CI ?