Design and Construction
The Centurion 37S carries a straight, pinched stem and taut lines with flare through the after sections that gives her a purposeful offshore profile rather than a slab-sided coastal look. The hull is polyester monohull construction, and the woodwork inside shows an exemplary finish that speaks to the yard's detailing standards. On deck, small teak slats line the surface underfoot, stainless steel handrails run the coachroof, and wraparound pulpits frame the bow and stern. Period observers noted that the deck hardware is of good quality and properly sized for the boat, not underspec'd cruiser gear.
Dimensions and Performance
At 11.12 meters overall with a 9.7-meter waterline and 3.45-meter beam, the 37S balances volume against a slender rig that Dubois gave her for windward ability. She carries 2.6 to 2.8 tons of ballast against roughly 6,600 kg displacement depending on the source record, with a draft of 2.30 meters standard and a 1.90-meter shoal option. The sail plan totals 89 square meters — a 37-square-meter mainsail, 52-square-meter genoa, and 70-square-meter spinnaker — yielding a sail-area-to-weight ratio of 13 and a ballast-to-weight ratio of 0.42. Test sailors recorded her in 20 knots of true wind sailing at a steady 7 knots upwind and 8 knots downwind, and owners report her as a performant and very seaworthy boat 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 confirms the offshore intent of the design, and the deep, well-sheltered cockpit with good backrests keeps the crew protected when footing off in stronger conditions. The wraparound pulpits and coachroof handrails make movement on deck secure, while the properly dimensioned hardware supports short-handed sail handling without drama.
Accommodations
Below, the Centurion 37S follows very traditional accommodation planning that delivers good volume in the saloon and forward cabin. Saloon settees convert to berths, and the large chart table is fitted with very generous fiddles suited to passage-making work. Light and air come from six opening ports and four deck hatches, giving the interior a bright, open feel. Headroom reaches 1.90 meters under the beams at the cabin entrance, though the deep cockpit costs aft-berth clearance — there is only 50 cm above the aft berth because the cockpit is deep. Layouts ran from two to three cabins with four to eight berths across the short production.
The Verdict
The Centurion 37S is a scarce Dubois-designed Wauquiez that pairs a slender, able rig with a traditional, well-finished interior and genuine offshore credentials. Her tiny production run means any example is a find for the buyer who values a Category 1 rated, seaworthy cruiser-racer with French yard detailing over mass-market familiarity.
Pros
- Only six built; a rare Dubois design with Wauquiez finish quality
- Steady 7 knots upwind / 8 knots downwind in 20 knots true wind
- Category 1 rated; owners report very seaworthy and suited to both racing and cruising
- Bright, traditional interior with convertible saloon berths and large fiddled chart table
Cons
- Deep cockpit leaves just 50 cm of clearance above the aft berth
- Short production means sparse support network and few comparable boats on the market
