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Guest
Guest
I am very new to sailing. I would appreciate your opinions of the Centaur as a first boat? Do you think £14K is a reasonable price for a good example?
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paulrossall
New member
Seems expensive. Do a search on www.boatsforsale (name might be a bit wrong do a google search) and look at other prices. If boat has new engine (likely cost £4000 od) or lots of new bits eg sails, rigging etc might be worth a bit more. otherwise worth about £11000. All sellors ask over the odds and expect to be beaten down. Look at westerly owners site, the boats for sail bit, again to compare prices. If you search westerly on this site you will find correct web site reference.
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dah
New member
I have a 1978 centaur (one of the later ones) which I bought 6 years ago and so far am very satisfied. In answer to your questions;
(a) £14k does seem rather expensive, unless of course it has all the extra gizmos including in-mast reefing, electronics, heating etc.
(b) in my experience they are a good first boat . They are solid, roomy (a bit of a caravan I have heard them called) , responsive on the tiller and easy to sail. I have been in some quite heavy weather in mine (and the Irish Sea is not the most forgiving of sailing areas) and have always had confidence in the boat.
Have a good look at the selling pages in Pbo etc(there are several for sale this month and get an idea of relative values). In general £10 to 12K seems the general asking price.
Hope this helps,
Dave Hanna
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(a) £14k does seem rather expensive, unless of course it has all the extra gizmos including in-mast reefing, electronics, heating etc.
(b) in my experience they are a good first boat . They are solid, roomy (a bit of a caravan I have heard them called) , responsive on the tiller and easy to sail. I have been in some quite heavy weather in mine (and the Irish Sea is not the most forgiving of sailing areas) and have always had confidence in the boat.
Have a good look at the selling pages in Pbo etc(there are several for sale this month and get an idea of relative values). In general £10 to 12K seems the general asking price.
Hope this helps,
Dave Hanna
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byron
RIP
<font color=blue>I am a Stinkpotter but have always considered all the Westerlys as excellent sturdy family cruisers. Certainly for my money a Centaur would be a good entry level boat. I can pass no comment on the price because Raggy boat prices isn't something I follow.
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FlyingSpud
Member
About 10 years ago when I came back to sailing, I initially looked at Centaurs, but then saw a Westerly Griffon and plumped for that.
£14,000.00 could probably get you, with a bit of hard bargaining, a Griffon Mark 1 which replaced the Centaur I think in about 1980 which will sail better and has better accommodation.
Having said that, it always seems to me that most of the people who criticise the Centaur have never sailed in one. IMHO of course
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£14,000.00 could probably get you, with a bit of hard bargaining, a Griffon Mark 1 which replaced the Centaur I think in about 1980 which will sail better and has better accommodation.
Having said that, it always seems to me that most of the people who criticise the Centaur have never sailed in one. IMHO of course
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G
Guest
Guest
Centaur + others
The Centaur is a good boat - strong, well built. But watch for splayed keels - need rebedding etc.
Engines are if original Volvo's well on the way to the knackers yard
Sails if original are probably a bit baggy .....
Osmosis is common throughout boats of this vintage - yes vintage !! Sorry but they are not new.
14K ...... not in my books !! I would not pay this price even for a 100 A1 example - as there are many other boats of similar style / size and quality much cheaper ..... Colvic 26, Sunrider / Searider 25, Mirage, Snapdragons etc. Some in fact much better under sail ..... 'cause at the end of the day Centaurs etc. are 'plodders' and will never win any races !!
Expect 10K + for a final price ..... 12K if its a really top knotch example with all the bits and bobs.
Colvic 26 .... asking price is generally 2K lower than Centaur - when you check out internals etc. you find very similar etc.
Sunrider / Searider .... asking price 8 - 10K .... final settlement close to asking .......
Generally I regard boat prices well over the top on asking and buyers are not so eager to part with that cash ..... so bargain it down.
But check out various models ..... if you are prepared to pay 14K - you might just touch a Griffon .... but beware - Griffons were subject to some problems ........ particularly the Club versions ..... cheap is cheap !!! So get it checked out carefully !
Before anyone has a go at me - I am a surveyor and seen some pretty awful and some very good centaurs / griffons etc. AND I know what is similar and not ......
<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ...
Bilge Keelers get up further ! I only came - cos they said there was FREE Guinness !
The Centaur is a good boat - strong, well built. But watch for splayed keels - need rebedding etc.
Engines are if original Volvo's well on the way to the knackers yard
Sails if original are probably a bit baggy .....
Osmosis is common throughout boats of this vintage - yes vintage !! Sorry but they are not new.
14K ...... not in my books !! I would not pay this price even for a 100 A1 example - as there are many other boats of similar style / size and quality much cheaper ..... Colvic 26, Sunrider / Searider 25, Mirage, Snapdragons etc. Some in fact much better under sail ..... 'cause at the end of the day Centaurs etc. are 'plodders' and will never win any races !!
Expect 10K + for a final price ..... 12K if its a really top knotch example with all the bits and bobs.
Colvic 26 .... asking price is generally 2K lower than Centaur - when you check out internals etc. you find very similar etc.
Sunrider / Searider .... asking price 8 - 10K .... final settlement close to asking .......
Generally I regard boat prices well over the top on asking and buyers are not so eager to part with that cash ..... so bargain it down.
But check out various models ..... if you are prepared to pay 14K - you might just touch a Griffon .... but beware - Griffons were subject to some problems ........ particularly the Club versions ..... cheap is cheap !!! So get it checked out carefully !
Before anyone has a go at me - I am a surveyor and seen some pretty awful and some very good centaurs / griffons etc. AND I know what is similar and not ......
<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ...
Bilge Keelers get up further ! I only came - cos they said there was FREE Guinness !
warrior40
New member
Re: Centaur + others
Nigel,
You fail to mention the Sabre 27, surely the boat that is most similar to the Centaur , with similar accomodation , arguably built better and with slightly better performance...integral bilge keels, a proper skeg hung rudder [ unlike Westerly's 3 attempts at getting the Centaur rudder right and still not really succeeding]
same age and asking prices...
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Nigel,
You fail to mention the Sabre 27, surely the boat that is most similar to the Centaur , with similar accomodation , arguably built better and with slightly better performance...integral bilge keels, a proper skeg hung rudder [ unlike Westerly's 3 attempts at getting the Centaur rudder right and still not really succeeding]
same age and asking prices...
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MartinGPerry
New member
Re: Westerly Centaur
There are lots of Westerly's for sale at www.westerly-owners.co.uk
Martin
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There are lots of Westerly's for sale at www.westerly-owners.co.uk
Martin
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upstream
New member
I have a Centaur and find it a very strong, easy to sail boat. More importantly it is safe and easy to maintain and bits are not to expensive. 14K is a bit on the high side but as suggetsed if it has all the goodies and the hull, keels etc are in good shape then you could do far worse. Those people that question its performance may be justified but it was never intended to be a trail blazer, just a steady, safe family boat that will get you there.........eventually. It gets my vote.
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dave_gibsea
Member
Re: Centaur + others
Nigel,
While the Centaur is a well made and a strong boat they are getting a bit long in the tooth. You will find they are very slow in comparison to a more modern yacht as well as a bit cramped. Have a look at Trapper 500's, Hunters, and boats from the big French yards before you make your choice. I have read that boats built after 1987 have a better GRP resin which is less prone to osmosis. Remember boats and their gear wear out just like everyting else in life.
Boats are a very personnal thing, think about what YOU are going to use her for and be honest about it. Also it's no good buying a boat that your wife doesn't like or you might never get to go sailing!
Good hunting!
Dave
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Nigel,
While the Centaur is a well made and a strong boat they are getting a bit long in the tooth. You will find they are very slow in comparison to a more modern yacht as well as a bit cramped. Have a look at Trapper 500's, Hunters, and boats from the big French yards before you make your choice. I have read that boats built after 1987 have a better GRP resin which is less prone to osmosis. Remember boats and their gear wear out just like everyting else in life.
Boats are a very personnal thing, think about what YOU are going to use her for and be honest about it. Also it's no good buying a boat that your wife doesn't like or you might never get to go sailing!
Good hunting!
Dave
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stephenk
New member
Re: Centaur + others
Or at least sailing with your wife.........You may end up having to go with your mates sailing pub to pub and drinking lots of beer.
........Now once again just remind me of the disadvantages !
Stephen
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Or at least sailing with your wife.........You may end up having to go with your mates sailing pub to pub and drinking lots of beer.
........Now once again just remind me of the disadvantages !
Stephen
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G
Guest
Guest
I wasn\'t meaning to compile an only..
list - but to get the mind working on looking around at other boats and alternatives ......
Its funny that I meet a lot of 'newbies' to boating and Westerly seems to get a good airing ..... YES they are good sea boats and in good condition are fine boats ..... 2500 approx. built over a number of years cannot be wrong !! But why the heavy price tag .... supply and demand ? NO - there are many available around yards .....
I would pay less for a similar boat and spend the excess on putting right things and fitting out to your wants ....
<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ...
Bilge Keelers get up further ! I only came - cos they said there was FREE Guinness !
list - but to get the mind working on looking around at other boats and alternatives ......
Its funny that I meet a lot of 'newbies' to boating and Westerly seems to get a good airing ..... YES they are good sea boats and in good condition are fine boats ..... 2500 approx. built over a number of years cannot be wrong !! But why the heavy price tag .... supply and demand ? NO - there are many available around yards .....
I would pay less for a similar boat and spend the excess on putting right things and fitting out to your wants ....
<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ...
Bilge Keelers get up further ! I only came - cos they said there was FREE Guinness !
G
Guest
Guest
It\'s not me wants one !!!!
NOw you've got me confused ...... it's not me that wants one !! I have good Sunrider 25 with big old Perkins ...similar accomm. and moulded bilge keels ... so what do I want to change for ?????
Please refer original postee !!!!! He wants one !
<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ...
Bilge Keelers get up further ! I only came - cos they said there was FREE Guinness !
NOw you've got me confused ...... it's not me that wants one !! I have good Sunrider 25 with big old Perkins ...similar accomm. and moulded bilge keels ... so what do I want to change for ?????
Please refer original postee !!!!! He wants one !
<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ...
Bilge Keelers get up further ! I only came - cos they said there was FREE Guinness !
