Design and Construction
The Centurion 37S has a straight, pinched stem and taut lines, with flare through the after sections. The result is a purposeful offshore profile rather than a slab-sided coastal look.
The hull is polyester monohull construction. Inside, the exemplary woodwork reflects the yard’s attention to detail. On deck, small teak slats cover the walking surfaces, stainless-steel handrails run along the coachroof, and wraparound pulpits frame the bow and stern. Period observers considered the deck hardware good quality and properly sized for the boat, rather than underspecified cruiser gear.
Dimensions, Sail Plan, and Performance
The 37S measures 11.12 meters overall, with a 9.7-meter waterline and a beam of 3.45 meters. Dubois balanced the boat’s volume with a slender rig intended to provide good windward ability.
Displacement is roughly 6,600 kg, with 2.6 to 2.8 tons of ballast depending on the source record. Standard draft is 2.30 meters, while a 1.90-meter shoal-draft option was also available. The sail plan totals 89 square meters: a 37-square-meter mainsail, a 52-square-meter genoa, and a 70-square-meter spinnaker. The sail-area-to-weight ratio is 13, and the ballast-to-weight ratio is 0.42.
In 20 knots of true wind, test sailors recorded a steady 7 knots upwind and 8 knots downwind. Owners describe the boat as performant and very seaworthy, and suited to both racing and cruising.
Rig and Handling
The slender rig and moderate displacement give the 37S a lively but controlled character in a breeze. Her Category 1 rating reflects the design’s offshore intent.
The cockpit is deep and well sheltered, with good backrests to help protect the crew when footing off in stronger conditions. Wraparound pulpits and coachroof handrails provide security when moving on deck, while the properly dimensioned hardware supports straightforward short-handed sail handling.
Accommodations
Below, the Centurion 37S uses a traditional accommodation plan, with good volume in the saloon and forward cabin. The saloon settees convert into berths, and the large chart table has very generous fiddles suited to passage-making work.
Six opening ports and four deck hatches provide light and ventilation, giving the interior a bright, open feel. Headroom reaches 1.90 meters under the beams at the cabin entrance. The deep cockpit does impose a penalty aft, however: clearance above the aft berth is only 50 cm.
Across the short production run, layouts ranged from two to three cabins and provided four to eight berths.
The Verdict
The Centurion 37S is a scarce Dubois-designed Wauquiez that combines a slender, capable rig with a traditional, well-finished interior and genuine offshore credentials. Its tiny production run makes any example an unusual find for a buyer who values a Category 1-rated, seaworthy cruiser-racer and French yard detailing over mass-market familiarity.
Pros
- Only six built; a rare Dubois design with Wauquiez finish quality
- Steady 7 knots upwind and 8 knots downwind in 20 knots of true wind
- Category 1 rated; owners report that it is very seaworthy and suited to both racing and cruising
- Bright, traditional interior with convertible saloon berths and a large, well-fiddled chart table
Cons
- Deep cockpit leaves just 50 cm of clearance above the aft berth
- Short production run means a sparse support network and few comparable boats on the market
