Newby question ref westerly centaur

[ashtead]

My dad bought a 1976 centaur no1393 and extra for 2 square portholes in bow which the paint came off in later years. A friend had a blue hulled 1973 version vesper of quarr with round portholes. Based on this at some point before 1976 square ones introduced. The one in picture seemed remasted as it doesn’t look like a gold coloured spar? Other extras I think were the sliding out sink in heads plus a cooker with oven. 3 layouts as I’m sure you know so photos from below might help identify. Other features to be wary of are the reefing by rotating the handle on front of master ,absence of a hard kicker/boom strut or stack pack plus of course brass hanks to change the headsail which seize up,no windlass and bent anchor from bow collisions. Obviously sprayed keels and age of original engines worth consideration. Ours had a lovely green radio set with channel zero. Depth sounder on bracket which was quite useful. If considering buying tell us more about keels and engine plus price of course.

 

[Wansworth]

To think the westerly was so popular,the original caravan styled boat

 

[Refueler]

.......
I think it would be pretty far down the list of things I would worry about, to be honest, compared to the condition of the important parts. If it has ok sails, motors reliably, doesn't smell too bad and doesn't leak you can have a lot of fun plus or minus a window. The reverse is unlikely

Note the Outboard bracket ... mmmmmmm

Soon as I see one on a boat that is normally with inboard - I ask why ..... maybe unreliable inboard ... maybe no inboard ??

 

[wallacebob]

Pop along to WOA on web, or WOA on Facebook or Westerly Centaurs on facebook. It looks a sorry example of a Centaur, roller reefing main. It will have the droop of headlining and a old decrepit Volvo and leaking or loose keels. Sails will need replacing - £3000? Looks like a money pit; sorry! Windows , ports and vents were varied and added extras as has been said, so not an indication of age. The hull number will be on the transom, L/H side?, and a plate on the sliding hatch.

 

[Bilgediver]

Morning all, this question has probably been asked countless times but can someone help? I'm looking at a centaur with square windows but it only has 1 port side and 1 starboard side not 2 which all the others I've seen have. Does anyone know likely year?

This was also the case with some Centaurs with round windows so not an age thing. I have 4 round windows on a 1974 boat.

This is one with 4 windows
https://images.boats.com/resize/1/2...8513_1_XLARGE.jpg?t=1656329995000&w=600&h=600

There is a Westerly Centaur group on Facebook.
Westerly Centaur Group | Facebook

 

[jamie N]

Note the Outboard bracket ... mmmmmmm

Soon as I see one on a boat that is normally with inboard - I ask why ..... maybe unreliable inboard ... maybe no inboard ??

Like me, it could be that it has at some period been in a marina, and found a small 360° outboard useful in those confines?

 

[Serena9897]

The Pembroke which is the fin keel version of the centaur only has one square window each side

 

[VicS]

The Pembroke which is the fin keel version of the centaur only has one square window each side

The 1976 Brochure:

 

[ashtead]

I guess you had to buy the extra window on a Pembroke just like the centaur in 76.

 

[Merrick]

My 1979 Centaur, one of the last 100 to be built, only has one window on either side forward.

 

[Bilgediver]

Note the Outboard bracket ... mmmmmmm

Soon as I see one on a boat that is normally with inboard - I ask why ..... maybe unreliable inboard ... maybe no inboard ??

Some were shipped with no engine to the USA where many only have an outboard. Maybe also available in the UK without an engine if required.. Gives plenty of room for the beer.

 

[catweazle]

Definitely a Centaur but perhaps modified? I have a 1979 Centaur and the overall dimensions look very similar, but my boat certainly does not have a bowsprit!

 

[VicS]

Definitely a Centaur but perhaps modified? I have a 1979 Centaur and the overall dimensions look very similar, but my boat certainly does not have a bowsprit!

Only a ketch rigged one will have a bowsprit

 

[Bilgediver]

Only a ketch rigged one will have a bowsprit

My sloop has a bowsprit however it is only used for the anchor. The forestay is in the usual place I have seen other sloops with them so must have been an extra.

 

[VicS]

My sloop has a bowsprit however it is only used for the anchor. The forestay is in the usual place I have seen other sloops with them so must have been an extra.

The Berwick sloop I crewed had a bowsprit which, like your Centaur, was only used for the anchor. Reasons for it were unknown to the owner who bought the boat from Westerly as an ex demonstrator.
There were some signs , like a pair of shroud anchor fittings well aft on the side deck that suggested that at one point early in construction it may have been destined to be a ketch ... but we will never know.

 

[Bilgediver]

The Berwick sloop I crewed had a bowsprit which, like your Centaur, was only used for the anchor. Reasons for it were unknown to the owner who bought the boat from Westerly as an ex demonstrator.
There were some signs , like a pair of shroud anchor fittings well aft on the side deck that suggested that at one point early in construction it may have been destined to be a ketch ... but we will never know.

Maybe it was an extra. It makes anchor handling a lot easier as there is a roller at the outboard end so the chain hangs well forard of the bow. I have seen one of the 31 foot sloops with the same. I believe the additional two portholes were also in an extra package.

 

[ashtead]

A bowsprit on a centaur seems an overkill but on one of the 31foot versions with a heavier plough type anchor it would make sense. I guess an ex demonstrator version would be fitted out with as many extras as possible. In 1976 my Dad was told a 31foot Berwick was too large as his first owned yacht ?hence we ended up with a centaur and he always wanted a discus I think in later years.

 

[Gareth j]

@VicS Sail number is 2355

 

[Gareth j]

@justanothersailboat I've taken the Carpet off the roof and there is no evidence of a second window being covered over

 

[Baggywrinkle]

Hoist the mainsail and see what is written on it?