Design and Construction
Ed Dubois drew the Centurion 42 as a masthead sloop with a fin-keel hull form and a lead ballast keel bolted beneath a solid fiberglass shell. The 9,600 lb ballast represents a 39.5% ballast-displacement ratio, and OceanWaveSail's analysis places her righting moment ahead of 73% of comparable designs, with just-above-average resistance to heeling. Her immersion rate runs roughly 350 kg per centimeter, or about 1,964 lb per inch, so she sits heavily and changes trim slowly with load. The shallow-ish draft of 7.71 to 8.01 feet depending on load, combined with the 33.17-foot waterline, gives a hull speed of 7.72 knots.
Rig and Handling
The boat is externally a masthead sloop with aluminum mast and boom, an aluminum rod kicker, and a genoa furler as standard. Lewmar winches are plentiful: two ST 40s, two ST 52s, two ST 55s, plus single ST 40, ST 43, and ST 46 units distributed for headsail and halyard control. The standing rigging was replaced in 2014 on the surveyed example, and the sail inventory ran to a Doyle mainsail with cover, a genoa, and a cutter jib — the latter two reportedly used for only a single season. The fin keel and spade rudder plan, with that strong ballast ratio, marks her as a stiff, quick hull rather than a soft motion cruiser.
Accommodations
Below, the Centurion 42 carries a traditional interior with green fabric upholstery and sleeps eight across three cabins and the saloon. The galley is fully appointed for passage-making: a three-burner gas stove with oven, hot-water boiler, electric pressurized water, a 12-volt refrigerator, and sinks. She is a 220-volt model served by a generator, and the head includes an electronic bilge pump and a shower. The layout is a genuine three-cabin cruising interior, not a stripped racer.
Known Issues
OceanWaveSail's survey found the teak deck and interior timbers on the example reviewed needed significant work, a point any buyer should weigh against the otherwise robust fiberglass hull and lead keel structure.
The Verdict
The Centurion 42 is a limited-production Dubois performance cruiser with a strong righting moment, a deep but manageable fin-keel hull, and a proper offshore interior. Her small build run makes her a relatively rare find, but the timber and teak-deck maintenance load is real.
Pros
- Lead fin keel and 39.5% ballast ratio give a righting moment ahead of most comparable designs
- Solid fiberglass hull with aluminum rig and comprehensive Lewmar winch complement
- True three-cabin, eight-berth interior with generator-backed 220V and full galley
Cons
- Teak deck and interior timbers require significant upkeep
- Only 52 built, so spares and comparable-boat familiarity are limited
