Westerly Centaur Page

Site contents:
Facts at a glance
General information
Interior layout
Common Centaur Problems
Old Centaur sales brochure
"Wings" - a Centaur (link)

Facts at a glance:

Years built: 1969-1979
Number built: 2,444
LOA: 26'0"
LWL 21'4"
Beam: 8'5"
Draft: 3'0"
Displacemnet: 6000lbs + *
Headroom 6'0"
Steering: tiller

* I've read figures from 6,100-6,700 lbs

General information:

With over 2,000 models built, the Centaur is Westerly's most produced boat and one of the earliest mass produced GRP boats on the market. Like many of the early production Westerly boats, it has a reputation of being a sturdy but simple cruiser. With a 6 foot standing headroom through out, it has a much more spacious interior than most boats of it's day. Common original inboard engines included the Volvo MD1 and MD2. With a 20+ horse rating, the MD2 gave the Centaur an unwarranted reputation as a motor sailor to many. (Due to their quantity, Westerly was able to get a great deal on the MD2) The original spade rudder was changed to a skeg- mounted rudder in the early 70's. The twin bilge keels allow the boat to sit up right when the tide goes out and give the boat a shallow draft. The trade off is a slight loss of speed and pointing ability as well as tradeoffs with groundings. Many Centaurs have crossed the Atlantic and I have heard that some have circumnavigated. Many Centaurs have been reasonably maintained and have attractive asking prices, making them worth strong consideration for a heavier displacement pocket cruiser.

Interior layout:

The layout above is the origional "A" layout. The B version replaces the dinette to port with a L- shapped sette and saloon table which like the A version converts to a double. The final C version sacrificed a quarter birth in favor of cockpit lazarette space and moved the sink and stove aft so starboard seating would be available opposite the table.

Common problems/complaints with the Centaur include:

• Sagging headliner
• Shallow bilges
• Leaky windows on earlier models due to side stay attachment point
• Slower compared to many sailboats due to bilge keels and heavy displacement
• Less pointing ability due to twin keels
• Keels tend to rust
• Keel to hull joint has been problematic on some
• Some boats will have a positive ground electrical system
• Problems with the cones in the transmission of the older MD2B engines
• Mildew due to tight ventilation

Note that most sailboats of this vintage will have many similar problems and limitations and that for the most part these problems do not detract from the overall seaworthiness of the boat.

Old Westerly Centaur brochure:

Page 1 of old Centaur brochure

Page 2 of old Centaur brochure

Page 3 of old Centaur brochure

Page 4 of old Centaur brochure

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The views of this page reflect the opinion of the author and should not be taken as absolute fact. Please send any recommended changes or additional information to Westerlyowner@hotmail.com Please send any photos or graphics in jpg format.

Created by David Zeiss: 4/1/99

Last updated: 4/1/99