Wauquiez Centurion 40S Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

Wauquiez built the Centurion 40S using resin infusion to ensure even saturation of the cloth and the proper resin-to-glass ratio for strength and light weight anchor. The deck carries a balsa core, and the hull above the waterline is also balsa-cored, while the keel ballast is lead. Rig stresses are taken by an internal grid of floors and stringers, transferred from the shrouds by rods inside the saloon, and bulkheads are bonded and glassed all around anchor. The hull-to-deck joint uses a polyurethane adhesive with mechanical fasteners, and the rudderstock is composite. These details point to a structure engineered for rig loads rather than casual weekend use.

Rig and Deck Layout

On deck the cockpit is tapered so the forward end is narrow enough for bracing feet as the boat heels while the aft end stays broad for crew work during racing maneuvers. The deck is all business, with long grabrails on the low cabintop, solid lifeline anchors, and teak-topped seats over an effective antiskid. A fiberglass panel covers halyards and reef lines as they run aft, the mainsheet is double-ended, and the large wheel runs in a trough. Winches are placed for efficient crew access, with handy line-tail lockers near the companionway. Standard rigging is wire, though rod rigging and a hydraulic backstay tensioner were offered as racing options, as was a deep keel. A big roller on the bow and a windlass inside the large foredeck locker complete the foredeck, and the transom opens to a well-designed stern platform with boarding ladder.

Performance Under Sail and Power

In 8 to 9 knots of breeze the boat accelerated easily to just over 6 knots and was quite easy to keep in the groove anchor. The wheel action was a joy, with instant response to pressure but no squirreliness or erratic tracking. Under power she handles as well as under sail, turning in a one-length circle both to port and to starboard. The slow-turning diesel ambles along softly with lots of torque in the 1,600 to 2,300 rpm range, yielding around 7 knots boatspeed, and the saloon stays quiet thanks to a well-soundproofed engine space. A three-bladed folding Gori prop is fitted.

Accommodations

Below, the saloon is exceptionally pretty and open overhead for its entire length with ample headroom. Sizable cabinets line the saloon, and the L-shaped galley has a front-opening fridge and separate freezer, both using a keel cooler rather than air or seawater for heat exchange. The stovetop cover doubles as a serving tray or extra counter, and a deep double sink sits near the centerline; anchor rings for a stove safety belt are standard. The head to port holds a wet locker, and a large separate shower stall stands apart. The nav station is efficient with space for a chart book and a plotter or radar display. Forward and aft cabins have hanging lockers and cabinets, the aft cabin with good overhead clearance and reading lights at the double berth, and all berths have leeboards for safe sleeping under way.

Engine and Systems

Engine access is excellent from the front and good through removable side panels, with a neat and secure installation anchor. The electrical panel is neatly wired to European standards, standard battery capacity is 240 amp-hours, and visible plumbing is neatly routed and properly clamped. The propane supply sits in the aft end of the starboard seat locker, clear of the interior.

The Verdict

The Centurion 40S is a thoughtfully engineered cruiser-racer that pairs a performance-oriented deck with a genuinely livable interior, built on a structurally rigorous infused hull. She rewards a sailor who wants racing-derived handling without sacrificing comfort at anchor.

Pros