Centurion 38 Buyer's Guide
Shopping the brokerage market for a used Centurion 38 means engaging with a small, finite series — just 24 hulls built by Wauquiez between 1987 and 1991, designed by Ed Dubois. These are not common listings, and the boat you find will almost always be one of two interior arrangements, with ex-charter histories well represented among survivors. The keel she was built with matters more than almost any cosmetic detail, because it dictates where she can go and how she carries herself.
Layouts on the Used Market
Owner three-cabin layouts are the more common on the used market, but both are available; ex-charter examples are common. A buyer should expect the three-cabin owner version to trade sleeping separation for a saloon that feels less open, while the alternative arrangement suits those who prioritise a larger central living space. Either layout sits within the same 37-foot-9-inch hull and 12-foot-6-inch beam, so the differences are internal rather than structural, and the deep versus fin keel underneath is the variable that changes the boat's real character.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
The Centurion 38 may be equipped with an inboard Volvo Penta diesel engine, and that auxiliary is the single most consequential mechanical item to confirm on any example. Beyond the standard rig, the established halyard and sheet dimensions — 120.5-foot halyards, a 93.9-foot mainsheet — mean a buyer can assess whether running rigging has been renewed to spec or left to degrade. Any generator, watermaker, or furling gear is an owner addition rather than a production feature, and should be judged on its own installation quality rather than assumed as part of the model.
What to Inspect
Confirm which keel an individual hull carries: measure the deep-keel draft of about 7.05 to 7.35 feet at the stem and compare against the fin-keel range of 4.79 to 5.09 feet to see which profile you are looking at, since the deeper variant will not suit shallow harbours. Check the fuel tank reality — a 25-gallon diesel capacity is small, and a buyer should verify whether a previous owner added capacity or simply accepted the limit. With only 24 boats built, verify the Volvo Penta installation and its service history rather than assuming broad parts familiarity, and inspect the lead keel joint and ballast integrity as you would on any solid-glass Dubois hull.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
Centurion 38s are most often found in Germany and the United Kingdom. For the rest, a short checklist:
- Confirm deep or fin keel and match draft to your cruising grounds.
- Verify the Volvo Penta diesel and its service record.
- Check fuel capacity against your motoring plans.
- Inspect lead keel attachment and hull integrity.
- Assess whether the layout fits your liveaboard needs.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Centurion 38. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 2 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 25 | 1 | $67,902 | — |
| Jun 26 | 2 | $78,074 | +15.0% |
Where they're listed
Centurion 38 listings appear across 2 countries. Germany has the most listings with 2 (66.7%), followed by United Kingdom.
Country view
3 listings · 2 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | $78,074 | 2 | 2 | 66.7% |
| United Kingdom | $67,902 | 1 | 0 | 33.3% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
3 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sabre 38 | 37.83' | $ 49,999 | 49 | 17 |
| Northshore 38 | 37.99' | $ 52,005 | 11 | 5 |
| Wauquiez 38You are here | — | $ 78,074 | 3 | 2 |