Westerly Centaur - Any suggestions

ridgy said:
Are you intending on making use of the bilge keel e.g. with a drying mooring? I wouldn't have in mast furling at this size, or in fact on any boat I could ever afford, can only make slow boat slower.
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Yes. I like the idea of shallow draft, a drying or semi-drying mooring and I want to explore the creeks on the East coast.

I'm not overly fond of the idea of inmast furling, but everything's a compromise. If I'd seen a perfect boat in that price range so far, I wouldn't be asking for a second opinion 😀
 
Don't worry about the in mast. It has been on the boat for probably 30 years and maybe several owners so it would be a surprise if it did not work satisfactorily. OK it is not strictly necessary and will not perform as well as the original sails - which were actually round boom roller reefing, although many have been converted to slab. In everyday use for beginners sailing you will get along just fine. These are not performance boats and the key thing when buying at this point is that the expensive things have been done - rigging and engine top of the list. It is unlikely that you will keep the boat for more than a few years before you get the urge to have something bigger and better and by the looks of the details you should be able to get that few years' use without major expenditure on the boat plus still get most of your capital back when you sell.
 
Sea Change said:
I don't think you're the target audience for a Centaur 😂
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Obviously not, no. Nor are most sailors the target audience for my boat. But if the aim is to actually sail, I so have a point. If the aim is simply to potter about between patches of drying mud, motoring when necessary (frequently) then I do not. This is a sail assisted boat. If the OP is under no illusions about that, go right ahead. Few boats with a mast are so finely focussed.
 
Chiara’s slave said:
Obviously not, no. Nor are most sailors the target audience for my boat. But if the aim is to actually sail, I so have a point. If the aim is simply to potter about between patches of drying mud, motoring when necessary (frequently) then I do not. This is a sail assisted boat. If the OP is under no illusions about that, go right ahead. Few boats with a mast are so finely focussed.
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The OP described his requirements and the Centaur meets it - unsurprising given that it is one of the most popular boats in this sector. It is a very capable boat as the thousands of past owners will testify. No need to be so dismissive.
 
Looks a great boat, it's got a nice engine which will get you out of trouble and the sails look ok. Don't know about the foresail.
These are great boats and they sail pretty well.
The cabin looks well presented. A great starter boat. I have done a lot of sailing in these boats 40 years ago and I would love to sail one again sometime.
Edit
Just noticed the price, whilst this boat seems to have had a few upgrades it is on the high end for what the boat is.I would check if the engine was brand new or just new to the boat, if new and I was interested i would offer around the 5k mark. If not maybe have a punt at 4k.
 
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I’m guessing that the retro fitted locker in cockpit is for gas bottle but if you plan using gas need to check out if compliant installation . Other features you might ask about is how is the dieselyanmar warmed up -in original Volvo in a centaur it could involve lifting up cockpit floor for heater button I recollect. Ideally it might have a windlass for anchor but rather depends on strength of crew. As you no doubt know there were 3 interior layouts and this one’s layout has what’s the nicest . Certainly a degree of care shown eg table top looks reasonable (check if infill cushions and short legs to form a double berth there) . Don’t worry too much about instruments provided they work. Ideally if time permits visit the better ones listed and look at other layouts. The coffin berths in saloon are an acquired taste so if you plan to stay away get some quotes for the headlining etc but as said by Concerto (whose lovely larger Westerly at the Soton boat show a few years ago showed what can be done to enhance) it might be you feel happy DIY the panelling. The other essential item is a dehumidifierlike a Meaco to keep interior dry in winter . I suspect the bed cushions need replacing unless already done when the red covers arrived . Just be aware centaurs don’t like reversing compared to modern boats so consider this when choosing berth . I’m guessing a westerly Berwick is out of budget and you might not have a large/ growing crew but I just throw the model name if you are browsing choices .A centaur is great for a couple ,will take the weather even in bouncy places like the Owers or such like and having those bilge keels means you can get in over bar if late arriving etc.
 
Looks like a nice example if a bit expensive in the current market. Was the "professionally fitted" engine actually new----ad seemed vague about that? Have you watched "Keep Turning Left" on Utube-----Plenty of inspiration there.
 
KentishPirate said:
Yes. I like the idea of shallow draft, a drying or semi-drying mooring and I want to explore the creeks on the East coast.

I'm not overly fond of the idea of inmast furling, but everything's a compromise. If I'd seen a perfect boat in that price range so far, I wouldn't be asking for a second opinion 😀
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Good points.
Try the in-mast if the wind suits, take it in and out a few times, try it the wrong way and see what happens. if there is a glitch and you hear "it normally works fine" and "all you have to do is..." then you have a pointer. It's an old mast, look carefully at any stainless fittings for signs of a corrosion beard, a replacement mast would be a real show stopper.

They sail very well in 15 kts but probably best treated as a motorsailer in light airs. This may suit you fine, we all have different requirements. You can now buy usable Centaurs for 3 grand upwards but the general advice is to buy the best you can afford, this one has every sign of being one of the best available.
Don't underestimate how weak the market is, if you don't buy the boat it's unlikely that there are lots of people waiting in the wings. If things don't pick up It may end up selling for 5k or less, frame your offer accordingly.

.
 
Chiara’s slave said:
Obviously not, no. Nor are most sailors the target audience for my boat. But if the aim is to actually sail, I so have a point. If the aim is simply to potter about between patches of drying mud, motoring when necessary (frequently) then I do not. This is a sail assisted boat. If the OP is under no illusions about that, go right ahead. Few boats with a mast are so finely focussed.
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I disagree. Our first boat was a Centaur and we sailed it for many miles, first trip Hamble to Conwy, then followed a few years around Anglesey and over to Isle of Man and Ireland many times most of it sailing, not on engine. Compared to more modern boats or the Westerly 31 footers, (Berwicks, Pentlands etc) not very quick but very comfortable in lively conditions.
 
KentishPirate said:
If it's listed at 7.7k, what do you think would be a fair offer, provided everything's as per listing and survey and test sail?
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I’d be willing to bet £5 you’re his only serious enquiry at the moment, I wouldn’t worry about upsetting them going in competitively.

If you haven’t sailed a small bilge keel before I’d have a go in it before committing though.
 
coveman said:
Looks like a very well cared for boat. I wouldn't be too hasty to reinstate gas - those Origo stoves are very good and avoid the need for annual gas tests etc.
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On my refit of my contessa i have put in an origo dual burner for sea use and a mobile induction hob when at shore power. Really don't like having gas on board.
 
potentillaCO32 said:
On my refit of my contessa i have put in an origo dual burner for sea use and a mobile induction hob when at shore power. Really don't like having gas on board.
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We plan on a lithium battery and a major solar power upgrade to ditch our gas. It’s over £60 for a tiny camping gaz bottle now, and then there’s the weight, as well as the obvious dangers of gas on board. There are no good reasons to reinstate gas on a boat these days. It may not quite be at the point of sextants versus GPS, but that’s the direction of travel.

As others say, the price might seem fair, but few people want Centaurs these days. Bear that in mind with the price you offer, you may have to pay someone to take it away one day. For all it’s ability to dry out, and legend has it, to take bad weather, boats like this aren’t built any more. Whilst it seems I’m in a minority here, in the real sailing world you barely see a Centuar, they are mostly mouldering in the forgotten corners of boatyards. But feel free to ignore my witterings. I would definitely agree you need to try one, or something similar. The school boats you have been sailing are in another league. And they’re old clunkers to me🤣
 
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Chiara’s slave said:
As others say, the price might seem fair, but few people want Centaurs these days. Bear that in mind with the price you offer, you may have to pay someone to take it away one day. For all it’s ability to dry out, and legend has it, to take bad weather, boats like this aren’t built any more. Whilst it seems I’m in a minority here, in the real sailing world you barely see a Centuar, they are mostly mouldering in the forgotten corners of boatyards. But feel free to ignore my witterings. I would definitely agree you need to try one, or something similar. The school boats you have been sailing are in another league. And they’re old clunkers to me🤣
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Whilst I half agree with you the fact that you can pick a good one up for next to nothing is fantastic for the OP and other newcomers to sailing.
Even if it is an old clunker, for a few 000 quid you can buy a sea worthy yacht that you can learn on in safety. After a couple of years learning the ropes then you would have a much better idea of a longer term boat
 
Chiara’s slave said:
We plan on a lithium battery and a major solar power upgrade to ditch our gas. It’s over £60 for a tiny camping gaz bottle now, and then there’s the weight, as well as the obvious dangers of gas on board. There are no good reasons to reinstate gas on a boat these days. It may not quite be at the point of sextants versus GPS, but that’s the direction of travel.

As others say, the price might seem fair, but few people want Centaurs these days. Bear that in mind with the price you offer, you may have to pay someone to take it away one day. For all it’s ability to dry out, and legend has it, to take bad weather, boats like this aren’t built any more. Whilst it seems I’m in a minority here, in the real sailing world you barely see a Centuar, they are mostly mouldering in the forgotten corners of boatyards. But feel free to ignore my witterings. I would definitely agree you need to try one, or something similar. The school boats you have been sailing are in another league. And they’re old clunkers to me🤣
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There's at least two Centaurs in regular usage at my sailing club on the Thames, they even go racing too!
 
potentillaCO32 said:
Compared to other bilge keelers of the 70s they are not too bad. Ina different league to snapdragons and a generation behimd hunters.
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I can attest that when I got my first boat, a Vega, I had to work fairly hard to not be embarrassed by a Centaur which was being helmed by a much more experienced skipper.
 
Old PN handicaps - Westerly Centaur 1231 - Hunter Horizon 1133 so Centaur might be 10 minutes behind on a 2 hour race
Vivacity 20 - 1305 - Another 7 minutes behind so not that far
 
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