The following information and photographs are displayed as a service to anyone researching yacht types. HOWEVER THE PHOTOGRAPHS ARE COVERED BY COPYRIGHT, AND MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE PERMISSION OF YACHTSNET LTD. Details and photographs are normally based on one specific yacht, but could be a compilation. No reliance should be placed on other yachts of the same class being identical.  Where common variations exist, we have endeavoured to indicate this in these archive details.  The price guide covers the normal ranges of age and condition. Exceptional boats, whether good or bad, may fall outside these guidelines.

Sailplans, from Laurent Giles' plans

Unusually for Westerly, the ketch rig versions were not sold under a different name. The same hull was also used for a centre-cockpit version, but this was sold as a Westerly Chieftain

Above deck, the Centaur remains popular because her deep cockpit and wide side decks serve to create a sense of safety when aboard. Another reason for the continuing popularity of Centaurs is the fact that they are a stiff, powerful boat. Whether sailing or motoring, the Centaur's handling is always predictable.

As with all other Westerly Marine yachts the Centaur was massively built. This was partly a result of previous building experience within the company and also a reflection of the state of GRP technology at that time. All Centaurs were built to Lloyds specifications which meant that the building processes were rigorously monitored and all materials had to be approved by Lloyds in order that a certificate could be issued. Although no longer in production they still represent excellent value for money.

Centaurs were built with a choice of three different interior layouts. The yacht shown in the photo below has the most commonly found 'B' layout, which provides up to six berths. Whilst early boats had very spartan GRP-moulded interiors, later examples progressively had more wood panelling and trim added

Left: The 'A' layout has a dinette which converts to a double berth to port, and is identical to the 'B' to starboard. We have no photo of the 'C' layout, but this was similar to the 'A', except that the galley was aft, with a seat forward to starboard. This resulted in the loss of the starboard quarterberth, making this a four-berth layout.

The photo at left also illustrates one of the recurrent (though minor) problems with all early Westerlys - that the foam-backed vinyl headlining becomes detached from the ceiling. It is difficult to stick it back sucessfully, and the best solution (apart from complete removal and replacement) tends to be to use thin battens to retain it, as in the photo above

One of the two commonly known structural problems with Westerly Centaurs is that prolonged and repeated drying out, particularly on sand or mud, placed excess sideways "splaying" pressure on the keels. The problem is totally curable by adding reinforcing layers of GRP to the interior of the keel roots. The other problem, which generally only affected some early boats, was that the shroud attachment points on the coachroof were fitted above a portlight and inadequately tied in to the hull/deck structure.

Because so many Centaurs were built, buyers have a wide choice. We often have one or more Centaurs for sale - see our brokerage list

There were a number of minor variations between Centaurs built in different years - for example Centaurs built up to the mid-70s had unsupported spade rudders, whilst later boats had half skegs (photos left and above).

Very early boats are distinguishable by round and not rectangular forward ports, and sometimes also had shrouds attached directly above the forward of the main saloon windows - a cause of leaks, and sometimes some stress cracking of the gelcoat around the windows.

Tiller-steered, the Centaur's self-draining cockpit is deep and comfortable, some boats having teak slats on the seats, and teak footwell gratings. Under the forward section of these footwell gratings is a rubber-sealed removable access hatch to allow the engine to be serviced, or even removed if necessary. Aft is a large stern locker, within which is a gas bottle compartment. In some early boats this gas locker may not be vented, though most will have been modified by now.

Most Centaurs have slatted teak cockpit seats, as seen in the ketch version below: the nonslip surfaces shown at left are unusual.

Right and below left: The Centaur ketch has a mizzen mast mounted in the cockpit, aft of which is the wheel steering pedestal. A stub bowsprit extends the overall length to almost 28 ft.