westerly Centaur

[Normanby]

come to the UK and sail around our amazing 20,000 mile long coastline - the Centaur will be perfect

Thanks Dylan.
This is my quandary; by the end of this year i will have enough money to take a three year cruising sabbatical.
Plan A: Buy one of these:
http://www.boatsales.com.au/boats-for-sale/boatdetails.aspx?R=13156882&Silo=Stock&Vertical=Boat&Ridx=4&eapi=2
A Clansman 30 (which has 6'3" headroom, and is a very strong and seaworthy boat) and potter around SE Asia.

Plan B: Buy something cheaper in the UK or EU (UK boats seem so cheap compared to Oz right now) and potter about the UK, the French canals and the Med.

The dilemma is of course how far the budget will stretch. SE Asia is cheap, meaning i could afford more boat. But the UK and Europe do hold more appeal for me.

FYI, i currently sail an old steel 28 footer around Tasmania's northern waters. She's for sale, turns out i don't really have the temperament for maintaining and upgrading an old steely - she needs too much time and money spent on her to become a live-aboard cruiser, makes more sense to buy more or less 'ready-made'.

 

[jwilson]

My Dad had Centaur 2187; it's a very competent and seaworthy boat, and if a design could be arrived at which had the attributes of a Centaur and the looks of a Contessa 32, no-one would ever need anything else !

The one big criticism we had of the boat was the very neutral tiller, absolutely no feedback on the helm, she just goes where pointed.

This was very upsetting after being used to a very responsive boat - possibly the Andersons' best feature is the feel on the helm - and we tried all sorts of tweaks on the Centaurs' rudder to get some 'feel', extension plates fore and then aft, vortex generators, you name it, in the end Dad gave up and put up with it but he didn't enjoy that aspect.

Probably the ideal boat to use an autopilot most of the time.

I agree - the dead feel to the tiller is the only thing I can see wrong with the Centaur. They sail surprisingly well if sailed well - if you know what I mean. Trim sails properly, let them build up speed again on each tack slightly free before pointing up fully. They are an amazingly good low-cost and low running cost compromise cruising boat.

Interesting that I have seen three different rudder configurations on Centaurs - maybe J L-G/Westerly tried to improve the feel.

 

[dylanwinter]

I think you should sail here

the paperwork is easier - it does not exist

they speak english here

you will win the admiration of your aussie friends by overwintering in a boat

and when connected to an electrical socket it is pretty cosy on a boat

I would stick with the centaur - you would have enough headroom to move around, full stretching room under the hatchway, dead easy to re-sell, bilge keels and shallow draft, second hand sails easy to get and there is such a wealth of expertise on the yacht

beginning to think I should have bitten tbe bullet and bought one myself now

D

some-one somewhere should make some films about sailing around Britain

 

[Seajet]

I agree - the dead feel to the tiller is the only thing I can see wrong with the Centaur. They sail surprisingly well if sailed well - if you know what I mean. Trim sails properly, let them build up speed again on each tack slightly free before pointing up fully. They are an amazingly good low-cost and low running cost compromise cruising boat.

Interesting that I have seen three different rudder configurations on Centaurs - maybe J L-G/Westerly tried to improve the feel.

jwilson,

my Dad and I are both aeroplane bods, having been involved on flight testing Hunters, Harriers and Hawks of various types, Dad's experience goes back to Seafires in WWII.

When Dad sold the Anderson 22 to me and got a Centaur, we were horrified by the dead feel on the tiller and tried all sorts of cunning aircrafty tricks to provoke more feedback, like leading and trailing edge additions, vortex generators, you name it; in the end we gave up, Dad saying " The Anderson has spoilt me ! "

I do think the Centaur is best steered by an autopilot while one shelters under a sprayhood and makes the tea, but they're a great versatile boat, and surprisingly quick if one knows how to trim sails.

 

[Nicholas123]

jwilson,

my Dad and I are both aeroplane bods, having been involved on flight testing Hunters, Harriers and Hawks of various types, Dad's experience goes back to Seafires in WWII.

When Dad sold the Anderson 22 to me and got a Centaur, we were horrified by the dead feel on the tiller and tried all sorts of cunning aircrafty tricks to provoke more feedback, like leading and trailing edge additions, vortex generators, you name it; in the end we gave up, Dad saying " The Anderson has spoilt me ! "

I do think the Centaur is best steered by an autopilot while one shelters under a sprayhood and makes the tea, but they're a great versatile boat, and surprisingly quick if one knows how to trim sails.

They're a floating caravan & should be binned

 

[Seajet]

Nicholas123,

please just for once avoid inserting foot in mouth and making stupid comments; after all you seemed happy with a god-awful true floating caravan, while I've sailed in company with a Centaur around the Channel Islands and Brittany, and others have been across the Atlantic and further.

If you're just 'Seajet Andy baiting' like Angus please keep it to PM's to spare the rest of the people on here.

 

[Tam Lin]

Thanks Dylan.
This is my quandary; by the end of this year i will have enough money to take a three year cruising sabbatical.
Plan A: Buy one of these:
http://www.boatsales.com.au/boats-for-sale/boatdetails.aspx?R=13156882&Silo=Stock&Vertical=Boat&Ridx=4&eapi=2
A Clansman 30 (which has 6'3" headroom, and is a very strong and seaworthy boat) and potter around SE Asia.

Plan B: Buy something cheaper in the UK or EU (UK boats seem so cheap compared to Oz right now) and potter about the UK, the French canals and the Med.

The dilemma is of course how far the budget will stretch. SE Asia is cheap, meaning i could afford more boat. But the UK and Europe do hold more appeal for me.

FYI, i currently sail an old steel 28 footer around Tasmania's northern waters. She's for sale, turns out i don't really have the temperament for maintaining and upgrading an old steely - she needs too much time and money spent on her to become a live-aboard cruiser, makes more sense to buy more or less 'ready-made'.

One of the reasons that I bought my Centaur is because I am 6ft 3ins tall. While I can't really stand upright I can at least move around comfortably. When inside the boat I seem to spend most of my time sitting down anyway. Compared to a lot of boats of that size the headroom is good. If you like the boats there are lots for sale cheaper than the Clansman in all kinds of conditions. You should be able to pick one up that has been looked after and re-engined and still have change after paying your air fare!

 

[ianat182]

I have a Westerly Tiger,virtually identical to the Centaur on deck and below for accomodation,but with a fin Keel and no knuckle in the bow. With the deep spade rudder the helm is neutral until the feel is adjusted by slightly raking the mast or changing the sail balance for windward work when the weather helm is increased but not excessive. On a downwind leg the balance is just about perfect, but, as with most yachts, a quarter wave does not help steering even with an autohelm.
She's faster than the Centaur upwind as would be expected, but not much to choose off wind; both boats respond well to reefing when necessary, and never bury their gunwales unless overcanvassed for the wind conditions.
I also have the gripe about oven space,but short of some butchery I cope with the 2 burner and grill.
I've sailed the centaurs with different layout options but prefer my own; headroom has never been a problem and 4 berths are adequate for a family or friends. Stowage space is considerable fore and aft in watertight lockers,luggage in either of the quarter berths for handiness. My boat had a 10hp MD1b originally that did a steady 6kts, replaced now by a better Volvo MD2010A that is lighter and quieter and reliable,touch wood, after 5 years and self installation,and slightly faster and higher revving 3 blade prop.
I prefer mine for the handiness in scrubbing off without the need to crawl between the bilge keels to clean and antifoul, but that apart Centaursare reliable safe and longlived.


ianat182

 

[Seajet]

Normanby,

go for the French canals !

In 1994 I had a job as deckhand/ ' matelot engineer ' on a Hotel barge in Burgundy, it was a truly lovely experience and I've always planned to take my own boat there, maybe with an electric engine and solar panel/s on the canal stretches, I met British couples in 18 & 23' boats, a bit strapped for cash, with the husband towing the boat by a line over his shoulder; fine on the canals but not on the strong currents like the River Saone !

The Canal trip is truly lovely going along wonderful countryside and if you chat up a hotel barge crew - which usually have British crews - you might get a ride in a balloon, ( or ice and beer ! ) though top tip for your boat is to take cooling fans or air conditioning, it gets REALLY HOT !

Have fun,

Andy

 

[Nicholas123]

Nicholas123,

please just for once avoid inserting foot in mouth and making stupid comments; after all you seemed happy with a god-awful true floating caravan, while I've sailed in company with a Centaur around the Channel Islands and Brittany, and others have been across the Atlantic and further.

If you're just 'Seajet Andy baiting' like Angus please keep it to PM's to spare the rest of the people on here.

Why seajet you don't spare them & I like pulling your leg since you are so obviously an expert at every thing! (I shall spare Westerly Centaur owners a comparison with my boat having you as an advocate is all they need)

 

[Nicholas123]

I have a Westerly Tiger,virtually identical to the Centaur on deck and below for accomodation,but with a fin Keel and no knuckle in the bow.
ianat182

That sculptured bow has never appealed to me & that recent Yachting Monthly write up seemed very damning.I'm also not a fan of those very splayed bilge keels but I would prefer one to an Anderson for practicality.(no dig at you seajet just a fact honest )

 

[Seajet]

Why seajet you don't spare them & I like pulling your leg since you are so obviously an expert at every thing! (I shall spare Westerly Centaur owners a comparison with my boat having you as an advocate is all they need)

Yes indeed Nicholas, thankyou for acknowledging my expertise on the universe in general.

Obviously the perfect boat is yet to be designed ( by me naturally ) but in the meantime we have the Anderson 22.

 

[Slipstream 34]

jwilson,

my Dad and I are both aeroplane bods, having been involved on flight testing Hunters, Harriers and Hawks of various types, Dad's experience goes back to Seafires in WWII.

When Dad sold the Anderson 22 to me and got a Centaur, we were horrified by the dead feel on the tiller and tried all sorts of cunning aircrafty tricks to provoke more feedback, like leading and trailing edge additions, vortex generators, you name it; in the end we gave up, Dad saying " The Anderson has spoilt me ! "

I do think the Centaur is best steered by an autopilot while one shelters under a sprayhood and makes the tea, but they're a great versatile boat, and surprisingly quick if one knows how to trim sails.

With all that experience, what made you think vortex generators would be effective at such low velocities?

 

[Seajet]

With all that experience, what made you think vortex generators would be effective at such low velocities?

I think the term is ' desperation ' !

Seemed worth a go...

 

[Normanby]

The Canal trip is truly lovely going along wonderful countryside and if you chat up a hotel barge crew - which usually have British crews - you might get a ride in a balloon, ( or ice and beer ! ) though top tip for your boat is to take cooling fans or air conditioning, it gets REALLY HOT !

Oooh, it's really tempting!
Another one of my considerations is that I'll be cruising with my furry best friend, Lulu the Kelpie. I've had bad reports about the difficulty of traveling with a dog in SE Asia, and i gather that Europe, and the UK especially, are very dog friendly.
Hindus and Moslems hold dogs in very low esteem, I'm told.
Any idea of monthly budget for such travels?
Matt

 

[Searush]

Oooh, it's really tempting!
Another one of my considerations is that I'll be cruising with my furry best friend, Lulu the Kelpie. I've had bad reports about the difficulty of traveling with a dog in SE Asia, and i gather that Europe, and the UK especially, are very dog friendly.
Hindus and Moslems hold dogs in very low esteem, I'm told.
Any idea of monthly budget for such travels?
Matt

That really is a "how long is a piece of string?" question.

There are some on here who couldn't manage of less than £1,000/day & others that would get by on a tenner a day. Marinas will cost you £25-30 a day plus a few quid for 'leccy, a harbour berth about 10-20 usually, meals purchased vary from a fiver to 50, buying your own food, you should do OK on 5-10/day for one. Wine is from 4 quid to 12 quid a bottle, beer about 3-5 quid in a pub & 1-2 quid in a supermarket, a bottle of scotch starts at about 12 quid to 36 quid (unless you want the really old single malts at £300 odd). Dog food is about 50p a can, or dried food from 3 quid to 10 quid for a 3kg bag. Vet's fees are perhaps around 20-50 quid a visit. If you need clothes, check out the charity shops & then you won't mind if they get ruined. Oilies start at around 50 quid & go over a few hundred for the better ones. Footwear, say £25 - 100+.

The bottom end prices quoted are exactly that, the cheapest you can get, so quality MAY be compromised, but it isn't always! Mobile phone, sim only 5-15 quid a month depending on useage included. What else might you need? Touristy trips can be pricey but can start as low as a fiver for basic stuff. Public transport can be pricey too, especially trains paid for on the day, so if you intend train travel, plan ahead & buy a ticket well in advance on the Internet, or pay 10x as much on the day.

 

[Nicholas123]

Yes indeed Nicholas, thankyou for acknowledging my expertise on the universe in general.

Obviously the perfect boat is yet to be designed ( by me naturally ) but in the meantime we have the Anderson 22.

Or the Macwester 27 (for those who prefer a practical down to earth common sense approach to sailing around our coastline.Or further afield if the urge so takes them)