Nicholson 32 vs Wauquiez Centurion 32

[mattp]

Im hoping to get some thoughts on these 2; pros and cons and sailing characteristics. Im not after speed but more a comfortable and safe feeling ride...more to keep a nervous wife happy. Both of these seem to come well regarded but any personal experience would be welcome and please offer things to consider on purchase.
Also on a side point, what would be the cost to replace the standing rigging on either of these as probably likely something that would need factoring in on a purchase. Any recommendations as to where to go if I wanted to carry out the install myself using Staylock terminals.

 

[bedouin]

There are several people on this forum who have owned or still do own Centurions so a search will reveal a lot of information about them.

I looked at both the Nic32 and the Centurion years ago before buying the Centurion. The Centurions are very well built boats and the interior fit out is a level above that of the Nics I have seen - but by this age a lot will depend on how well it has been maintained. I also prefer the fin and skeg of the Centurion to the long keel on the Nic, it handles better in a marina and probably sails better too.

 

[mattp]

There are several people on this forum who have owned or still do own Centurions so a search will reveal a lot of information about them.

I looked at both the Nic32 and the Centurion years ago before buying the Centurion. The Centurions are very well built boats and the interior fit out is a level above that of the Nics I have seen - but by this age a lot will depend on how well it has been maintained. I also prefer the fin and skeg of the Centurion to the long keel on the Nic, it handles better in a marina and probably sails better too.

Very true Im sure and have notice the interior fit out differences..Centurion does seem a higher standard.
Comparing the sailboat data they say the Nicholson has comfort ratio of 36.47 compared to that of the Centurion of 26.83; how that equate in the real world is hard to say.

 

[bedouin]

Very true Im sure and have notice the interior fit out differences..Centurion does seem a higher standard.
Comparing the sailboat data they say the Nicholson has comfort ratio of 36.47 compared to that of the Centurion of 26.83; how that equate in the real world is hard to say.

By modern standards both are very comfortable boats and will revel in conditions that have more modern designs running for harbour.

My opinion is always going to be one sided as I know the Centurion very well and have not sail a Nic for a couple of decades. The Centurion sails very well - up wind it will sail closer than most modern boats and is surprisingly good in light airs. If you are prepared to put up with the cramped space below decks then it is a joy in all conditions.

I am not sure I would place much faith in formulae like the comfort ratio

 

[doug748]

I don't know either boat very well but those that do are probably out enjoying themselves. So, was going to comment how smart the later Nicholsons looked. Blow me, when I looked for an illustration here is the very boat I was thinking about:

Nicholson - 32 Mk10 in Devon, South West | Boats and Outboards

On the water it does look slick and, actually, a bit modern...........the asking price however is more than optimistic.
They are very heavy boats by today's standards. An owner once said to me that he thought it was a motorsailer and he did not try to sail under force 3. Don't roast me for this - it's what the bloke said.

People are always very positive about the Centurians, the worst you can say about them is the offset prop could be entertaining and some have semi bulkheads which makes the, rather small, saloon gloomy.
I would look for a good Centurian but certainly not discount a well priced Nic.

I did my rigging 12 years ago and the swaged replacement worked out about £50 a length. Just done the forestay and this has more than doubled, plus the Stalock premium.

Chancing my arm, crossing my fingers and guessing......shopping around, I'd say you are looking at c £1400 to fit yourself. Based on 8 stays. I spoke with the Stalock people and found them very helpful, that would be my first stop

.

 

[Yellow Ballad]

I know it's not really a "What Boat" thread but don't discount a well looked after Rustler 31.

 

[Adios]

People are always very positive about the Centurians, the worst you can say about them is the offset prop could be entertaining

Not all are so lucky. This Centurion has been converted from bad to worse with a saildrive Wauquiez Centurion 32 for sale UK, Wauquiez boats for sale, Wauquiez used boat sales, Wauquiez Sailing Yachts For Sale 1973 Wauquiez Centurion 32 - Apollo Duck

 

[mattp]

I don't know either boat very well but those that do are probably out enjoying themselves. So, was going to comment how smart the later Nicholsons looked. Blow me, when I looked for an illustration here is the very boat I was thinking about:

Nicholson - 32 Mk10 in Devon, South West | Boats and Outboards

On the water it does look slick and, actually, a bit modern...........the asking price however is more than optimistic.
They are very heavy boats by today's standards. An owner once said to me that he thought it was a motorsailer and he did not try to sail under force 3. Don't roast me for this - it's what the bloke said.

People are always very positive about the Centurians, the worst you can say about them is the offset prop could be entertaining and some have semi bulkheads which makes the, rather small, saloon gloomy.
I would look for a good Centurian but certainly not discount a well priced Nic.

I did my rigging 12 years ago and the swaged replacement worked out about £50 a length. Just done the forestay and this has more than doubled, plus the Stalock premium.

Chancing my arm, crossing my fingers and guessing......shopping around, I'd say you are looking at c £1400 to fit yourself. Based on 8 stays. I spoke with the Stalock people and found them very helpful, that would be my first stop

.

thanks for the information and will look into your suggestion about the rigging.

 

[mattp]

The nicholson in Devon is way over priced...knock 9k off and and then in the right area.

I know it's not really a "What Boat" thread but don't discount a well looked after Rustler 31.

I do agree with you, nice boat but very similar to the Nicholson 31 but the prices are 30%higher

Not all are so lucky. This Centurion has been converted from bad to worse with a saildrive Wauquiez Centurion 32 for sale UK, Wauquiez boats for sale, Wauquiez used boat sales, Wauquiez Sailing Yachts For Sale 1973 Wauquiez Centurion 32 - Apollo Duck

AThomson...you read my mind. Why bother with a saildrive-thats a no from me straight away

 

[Minchsailor]

I don't know the Wauquiez, but owned an early Nic 32 for nearly 20 years (replaced it with a Rustler 36 - i'm a sucker for embarrassing myself in marinas!).

All the disadvantages of an elderly design, but bearing in mind the earliest are now getting on for nearly 57 years old, the fact that so many are still around and making significant voyages speaks volumes. By modern standards they are cramped, but make comfortable cruising for 2; 3 is not a problem for a couple of weeks. 4 if you are good friends.

There is a very active owners association, (I was one time Treasurer) and I would hazard that many owners take great pride in their boats and keep them reasonably well maintained.

As for being slow - yes they like a good breeze, but then they go. I cruised mine down to the north coast of Spain, and up to the Faeroes with no problems. Back in the '60s they competed in the Fastnet respectably (designer Peter Nicholson is reported to have said of the early owners -"The bloody owners will race the bloody things" Looking at the results for the Round the Island Race of 2000 (the last I competed in as I still sailed from Hamble in those days) I see the fastest Contessa 32 completed the in 9hrs 2 mins; the fastest Nic 32 in 9 hrs 55 mins (in the 1999 race, which had light winds, the times were 10hrs 55 mins and 10hrs 59mins respectively). Tony Curphey sailed round the world non-stop in 308 days at an average speed of 4.3knts - but half that distance was done with a one reef in the main, as there was tear in the bottom panel.

If i was buying one again I would go for the latter models (which are actually 33ft as the topsides were raised) and have a more conventional layout. You should get a good one for no more than £20K.

Rigging - depends on whether the furler needs replacing; if if doesn't I would guess £1.5K tops including quality bronze rigging screws; bit less if you DIY.

 

[mattp]

I don't know the Wauquiez, but owned an early Nic 32 for nearly 20 years (replaced it with a Rustler 36 - i'm a sucker for embarrassing myself in marinas!).

All the disadvantages of an elderly design, but bearing in mind the earliest are now getting on for nearly 57 years old, the fact that so many are still around and making significant voyages speaks volumes. By modern standards they are cramped, but make comfortable cruising for 2; 3 is not a problem for a couple of weeks. 4 if you are good friends.

There is a very active owners association, (I was one time Treasurer) and I would hazard that many owners take great pride in their boats and keep them reasonably well maintained.

As for being slow - yes they like a good breeze, but then they go. I cruised mine down to the north coast of Spain, and up to the Faeroes with no problems. Back in the '60s they competed in the Fastnet respectably (designer Peter Nicholson is reported to have said of the early owners -"The bloody owners will race the bloody things" Looking at the results for the Round the Island Race of 2000 (the last I competed in as I still sailed from Hamble in those days) I see the fastest Contessa 32 completed the in 9hrs 2 mins; the fastest Nic 32 in 9 hrs 55 mins (in the 1999 race, which had light winds, the times were 10hrs 55 mins and 10hrs 59mins respectively). Tony Curphey sailed round the world non-stop in 308 days at an average speed of 4.3knts - but half that distance was done with a one reef in the main, as there was tear in the bottom panel.

If i was buying one again I would go for the latter models (which are actually 33ft as the topsides were raised) and have a more conventional layout. You should get a good one for no more than £20K.

Rigging - depends on whether the furler needs replacing; if if doesn't I would guess £1.5K tops including quality bronze rigging screws; bit less if you DIY.

Thank you for your first hand experience and just confirms my thoughts...i have read also they stay pretty dry when the weather gets up. Im still leaning heavily towards the Nicholson...many I see for sail mention osmosis treatment and being epoxied maybe 20 years ago but not sure how this holds up. I have spoken to one owner who said he had it treated 20 odd years ago but blisters are reappearing...how easy to treat I wonder. if no delamination then would grinding out to good glass and filling with fresh fibre glass and fairing work as a diy job. I suppose it depends on amount and size of blisters.
what about the Centurion...do they have osmosis issues...I certainly have not read much about them having issues

 

[Minchsailor]

Osmosis - the design predates modern standards and was based on Lloyds A1 standards for timber construction (I believe; willing to be corrected) for things like scantlings. The hull laminate is THICK, and I mean thick. Most will have had some form of osmosis treatment, with varying degrees of success. I would suggest that a 40 year old hull s not going to fall apart soon and, if it affected, an ongoing maintenance program of grind out and fill of any blisters will keep if going.

 

[mattp]

Osmosis - the design predates modern standards and was based on Lloyds A1 standards for timber construction (I believe; willing to be corrected) for things like scantlings. The hull laminate is THICK, and I mean thick. Most will have had some form of osmosis treatment, with varying degrees of success. I would suggest that a 40 year old hull s not going to fall apart soon and, if it affected, an ongoing maintenance program of grind out and fill of any blisters will keep if going.

Brilliant...sounds reasonable to me. I was thinking along the lines of doing just,grind and fill and also thinking(please advise otherwise if my thinking is flawed) once filled stripping the hull back to glass and then coppercoat. the copper coat is epoxy based so would that then stop or at least greatly slow down osmosis..or would i be wasting my time. I have heard recommndations about coppercoat as it lasts so long and easy to clean the hull while in the water meaning less haulout charges and reapplying antifoul every12 to 24 months.
id be interested on yoir thoughts

 

[Bajansailor]

Here is a thread I started 14 years ago about a Centurion 32 that arrived here in Barbados - they subsequently sailed to New Zealand without fuss or fanfare.
Nice boats - Nicolsons are as well. As always, it comes down to condition - you could easily spend a small fortune on one that needs 'doing up' to get a boat that is effectively worth a miniscule fortune.

Living the dream...... with a Centurion 32

 

[mattp]

Here is a thread I started 14 years ago about a Centurion 32 that arrived here in Barbados - they subsequently sailed to New Zealand without fuss or fanfare.
Nice boats - Nicolsons are as well. As always, it comes down to condition - you could easily spend a small fortune on one that needs 'doing up' to get a boat that is effectively worth a miniscule fortune.

Living the dream...... with a Centurion 32

Thanks...Ive read that already and an interesting read...nice to read people disproving the naysayer about needing bigger modern boats. Give me older and tested any day

 

[Adios]

Nice boats - Nicolsons are as well. As always, it comes down to condition - you could easily spend a small fortune on one that needs 'doing up' to get a boat that is effectively worth a miniscule fortune.

We never really get the money back that we put in do we so the secret is finding a boat someone else put money in that they won't get back from us (and then sell it quick if it ever need lots of money to be put in)

Over the years I've bought 3 boats in Holland (1 sail and 2 steel cruisers). From looking around there I had the impression they spend money more freely on their boats. Seemed like before things break not reluctantly after they break as UK owners seem to. Not sure how easy it will be to do it now but might be worth checking www.botentekoop.nl though each of the 3 I bought I only found by driving around the boat yards looking for newly arrived bargains as I realised if it was a bargain it would be gone before getting on that website. But still worth a look.

 

[mattp]

We never really get the money back that we put in do we so the secret is finding a boat someone else put money in that they won't get back from us (and then sell it quick if it ever need lots of money to be put in)

Over the years I've bought 3 boats in Holland (1 sail and 2 steel cruisers). From looking around there I had the impression they spend money more freely on their boats. Seemed like before things break not reluctantly after they break as UK owners seem to. Not sure how easy it will be to do it now but might be worth checking www.botentekoop.nl though each of the 3 I bought I only found by driving around the boat yards looking for newly arrived bargains as I realised if it was a bargain it would be gone before getting on that website. But still worth a look.

?great minds think alike...already tried that website and others...I know what you mean...seen a good number of boats at good prices and they seem to keep them really clean...they also seem to have a good number of steel boats...?? im not familiar with and associated issues...rust and seawater springs to mind?...i envisage having to paint hull and topsides and everywhere regularly...am i wrong?

 

[Adios]

?great minds think alike...already tried that website and others...I know what you mean...seen a good number of boats at good prices and they seem to keep them really clean...they also seem to have a good number of steel boats...?? im not familiar with and associated issues...rust and seawater springs to mind?...i envisage having to paint hull and topsides and everywhere regularly...am i wrong?

They aren't so keen on steel as they used to be, compared to in the UK where it can add to the value (esp for cruisers for the non-tidal Thames) there it takes away from the price for reasons mentioned and they want low maintenance GRP hulls. I didn't keep the boats long enough to get knowledge of cost of upkeep so can't advise on that.

 

[Wansworth]

Having sailed one for a very brief period.........toilet a bit cramped against the mast,under power the tiller cannotbeleft,great under monitor self steering gear,solid as a rock...nic 32

 

[mattp]

They aren't so keen on steel as they used to be, compared to in the UK where it can add to the value (esp for cruisers for the non-tidal Thames) there it takes away from the price for reasons mentioned and they want low maintenance GRP hulls. I didn't keep the boats long enough to get knowledge of cost of upkeep so can't advise on that.

Im certainly not a member of continuous painting fan club so ill think ill stick with GRP