Design and Construction
At 35.73 feet overall with a 28.81-foot waterline and 12-foot beam, the Centurion 36 carries 16,100 pounds of displacement balanced by 5,400 pounds of lead ballast, a configuration that supports both stability and a hull speed near 7.2 knots. The builder's high-quality, overbuilt construction from that era frames the boat as a substantial offshore candidate rather than a lightly built racer. As a capable cruiser-racer, the design was conceived for coastal and offshore passages, short-handed sailing, and club racing alike, and period descriptions credit it with a strong mix of speed, seaworthiness, and refined comfort.
Rig and Sail Plan
The Centurion 36 is rigged as a masthead sloop with a foretriangle I dimension of 48.79 feet and J of 14.80 feet. The mainsail measures roughly 230 square feet on a luff of 32.94 feet, while the working jib carries 347 square feet at 115 percent overlap. A 150 percent genoa expands the foretriangle to about 538 square feet, and a spinnaker of nearly 1,100 square feet with 180 percent LP underscores the boat's racing pedigree and downwind capability. These dimensions place the sail plan firmly in performance-cruiser territory, and the tall rig proportions suit a crew looking for both club-race pace and offshore reach.
Accommodations and Intended Use
The model's stated blend of refined comfort with cruiser-racer versatility implies a layout oriented to living aboard during passages as well as weekend racing. The 79-gallon water capacity and 24-gallon diesel tank reflect a cruising bias within a 16,000-pound hull, and the spade rudder with fin keel gives the helmsman the sort of directional control expected of a Dubois design intended for short-handed operation.
Refits and Ownership
With only around 36 examples afloat, the Centurion 36 occupies a niche where careful ownership matters more than fleet-wide trends. The Volvo Penta MD2003 diesel, solid fiberglass hull and deck, and lead-ballasted fin keel are straightforward systems for a knowledgeable owner, though the limited production run means spare parts and comparative survey data are less common than for high-volume contemporaries.
The Verdict
The Centurion 36 is a scarce, thoughtfully engineered French cruiser-racer that rewards owners seeking a well-built Dubois design without the compromises of a production-line boat. Its blend of performance sail area and cruising tankage makes it a versatile coastal and offshore companion, while the small fleet size preserves a sense of distinction.
Pros
- Ed Dubois design with Wauquiez overbuilt construction
- Strong cruiser-racer sail plan including 1,100 sq ft spinnaker
- Lead ballast and fin/spade configuration for stability and control
Cons
- Limited production of roughly 36 hulls complicates parts comparison
- Modest 24-gallon fuel capacity for extended offshore range
