Wauquiez Gladiateur 32

[SAWDOC]

Hi
I came across one of these recently and though she had absolutely lovely lines. Has anyone sailed one and if so any informative comments?

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

Do you mean Gladiateur 33 (10 metres) or Centurion 32 (9.75 metres) ?

Both were built by the Henri Wauquiez yard, in France, to the design of Holman & Pye. It is said that Kim Holman could not design an ugly boat if he tried. More information can be found HERE

 

[Twister_Ken]

Used to race against a Gladiateur in the days when I was pulling string on an OOD34. The Wackier was no mean performer.

 

[Metabarca]

If it should be the Centurion 32, fire away: I have one!

 

[Aeolus_IV]

Ditto,
Jeff.

 

[sailorman]

Kurrawong Kid has just sold his

 

[Ruffles]

I sailed to Spain in a Centurion 32 many years ago. She was called Shadowfax of Burnham. Hard to imagine a more seaworthy 32' boat. Very wet to windward though. Could have done with a snorkel helming in Biscay.

Oh, not much room down below. Especially if you're sharing the forecabin with a dozen sails.

 

[Aeolus_IV]

Still got more free board and space than a Contessa 32.

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Seriously though while people are likely to get the size of a boat slightly wrong (i.e. 32 instead of 33), the name basically sticks. I am sure the OP was talking about one of these.

Regards,
Jeff

 

[SAWDOC]

Thanks Guys for the correction - Gladiateur 33 woz what i should have typed. I did see the review of the Centurion 32 in ST recently which got me interested in this range. Have never sailed one but hope to view soon. how would the G33 or the Centurion 32 compare to say the deep fin Sadler 32? Also any comments on headroom the deck looks attractively flat but is that at the expense of space down below?

 

[Aeolus_IV]

I would humbly suggest that you risking comparing oranges and apples here. The Centurion 32, Sadler 32 (and other similar yachts) are fairly heavy designs with (by modern standards) very narrow sterns (pinched is a phrase often used). They tend to be slower in light airs, but pick up their skirts as the wind fills in but always keeping a feeling of safe and sure handling. The Gladiateur is a much newer design by comparison (though still now an old design) and will be a different beast. I would expect (while putting my hand up to admit not having sailed one) that they would be both more spacious and generally faster than any of the former boats. The link I posted (here) puts you through to a web site with some good detailed information about the Gladiateur, you can compare it with the information on the link in my signature about the Centurion 32 (not my site).

Regards,
Jeff.

 

[SAWDOC]

Jeff,

Thanks - both sites do have lots of info. Looks like I will be asking my french speaking friend over for dinner!

 

[Twister_Ken]

The Gladiateur will be faster than an S32. Can't comment about what either is like below decks.

 

[Ardelloeixe]

Well, I have one since some years ago and it does any job quite well.

I`ll try to upload some photos.

[image]http://lh3.ggpht.com/_xZRJf74GodE/R3qeOGyoYDI/AAAAAAAAAAM/xuWXbR_CUP4/s512/En%20ce%[/image]

[image]http://lh5.ggpht.com/_xZRJf74GodE/R4AO_GyoYHI/AAAAAAAAAAw/5JzD7Kg4fA4/s640/Spi%2C%[/image]

Be happy (if you can)

 

[Ardelloeixe]

It seems I am unable to upload any photos.

I will see if I can learn how to do it.

 

[Ardelloeixe]

Try once more

I got it!

 

[SAWDOC]

Thanks for posting - lovely pics - and lovely flat sea! Have you had her out on a big sea ? How did she do?
Also we hope to cruise rather than race - crew of 2 or 3 normally. Would you describe her as being fairly steady?

 

[Ardelloeixe]

Well, I have crosed two times the bay of Biscay and going and coming a few times the portuguese coast, dawn to the Med and back. In those times I got all types of weather, including a force 8 and the boat did allright.

As you know the boat is a finn keel, so is not as steady as a boat with a long keel but, as her finn keel is wider than the modern finn keels, the boat is quite easy to steer.

In the next two photos the sea is not so lovely

This three photos are racing.
The nex one is in the Bay of Biscay. (there was nobody araund to take photos, he, he)

 

[SAWDOC]

Well done -Bravo. Great to hear your Gladiateur can handle the rough stuff. I hope to view one shortly.