Hull Design and Performance Numbers
The 40S's profile from abeam is defined by a fine bow entry and downward sloping sheerline that leads into healthy beam amidships, presenting what one reviewer called a stylish, almost brutish silhouette. At 41 feet 2 inches LOA over a 36-foot 5-inch waterline, the hull's length-to-beam proportions and moderate displacement yield a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 21 and a displacement-to-length ratio of 131 — an above-average performance envelope for the category. The keel ballast is lead, and the rudderstock is composite. On San Francisco Bay in 8-to-10-knot winds, a test boat powered up to nearly 8 knots on a close reach and held mid-7-knot speeds at 110 to 120 degrees off the breeze — numbers that prompted the estimate that a proper set of sails could log 200-mile days at sea.
Rig and Sail Handling
The 40S carries a fractional rig supported by swept-aft double spreaders and a keel-stepped mast. Halyards and running rigging exit at the base of the mast and run aft beneath a fiberglass hood, keeping the deck uncluttered without sacrificing access. The mainsheet is double-ended and the backstay is adjusted hydraulically, with rod rigging available as a racing option. The traveler sits forward of the binnacle at knee height — a gutsy placement that delivers meaningful mainsail control in 20-plus-knot winds via a 6:1 block augmented by a 36:1 fine tuner. Genoa track runs forward to the shrouds without obstructing crew movement, and adjustable leads are standard, allowing headsail trim without leaving the cockpit. Full-battened main options and lazy-jack systems are available upgrades that offshore sailors will want on the list; without them, dousing the powerful main can be a two-person effort.
Cockpit and Deck Layout
The T-shaped cockpit is tapered — narrower at the companionway for foot-bracing when heeled, broader aft for crew movement during racing maneuvers. Teak-topped seats measure 64 inches long, comfortable for a full crew on an extended passage. The 62-inch diameter wheel travels through a trough in the cockpit sole, and the helm seat lifts to reveal a storage area sized for a life raft — an excellent location when hurry-up launching is required. Line-tail lockers near the companionway, covered by a hinged lid in the sole, eliminate the rope spaghetti that accumulates belowdecks during active sailing. Fiberglass dorade boxes low in the coachroof improve ventilation over the stove and nav station without creating toe-stubbers on deck. The one recurring quibble in both published reviews is the propane locker, buried in the starboard seat locker and requiring the compartment to be emptied whenever tanks need changing.
Accommodations and Interior
Below, the saloon delivers over 6 feet 2 inches of headroom across its entire length and a width outboard of the settees of a full 8 feet. The L-shaped galley features a front-opening refrigerator and separate freezer cooled by a keel cooler rather than air or seawater exchange — an efficient, long-lived system that most production builders overlook. The deep double sink sits near the centerline, and a removable stovetop cover does double duty as a serving tray. The head compartment is predominantly fiberglass for easy cleaning and includes a separate shower stall with 6 feet 4 inches of headroom, plus a hanging locker for wet foulies just outside the stall. The nav station provides a 36-by-23-inch chart table with ample bulkhead space for instruments. The aft cabin double berth has reading lights, and the forward V-berth drops its sole two inches below the saloon level to gain headroom — a feature that will surprise unfamiliar crew. Both settees are fitted with lee cloths built in as standard equipment, signaling a builder that takes offshore sailing seriously.
Construction Quality
Wauquiez uses resin infusion to ensure even saturation and the correct resin-to-glass ratio throughout the laminate. The balsa-cored hull above the waterline and balsa-cored deck are strengthened by an internal grid of floors and stringers, with bulkheads bonded and glassed all around. The hull-to-deck joint uses polyurethane adhesive and mechanical fasteners. Plumbing manifolds drawn from Beneteau practice improve organization; all hoses are double-clamped with rubber-tipped clamp ends, and pumps are uniformly Jabsco throughout the boat. Battery bank access sits on the centerline below the companionway steps — a sensible weight placement. The electrical panel runs on piano hinges for clean access, wires bundled and keyed to the owner's manual.
Known Issues and Practical Concerns
Two issues stand out across independent assessments. First, the engine cover must be removed entirely to service the engine rather than pivoting on a lanyard to the overhead — an inconvenience at sea when a loose cover occupies saloon floor space. Second, the fingerholds below the portlights in the main saloon are flimsy and insufficient for handholds while underway; solid wood rails on the overhead would be an easy, inexpensive upgrade. The dining table's base attaches to a wooden platform supporting the fold-out leaf, which intrudes into the center of the saloon and impedes fore-and-aft movement — a design opportunity for improvement. Ventilation, while served by seven deck hatches and dorade boxes, relies on only two small opening portlights in the main cabin; owners sailing in humid climates will benefit from solar vents. Standard battery capacity of 240 amp-hours is likely insufficient for a cruising inventory of electronics.
The Verdict
The Wauquiez Centurion 40S is a coherent, well-engineered boat that earns its cruiser-racer label on both counts. It sails with genuine pace — backstay tension unlocks a measurable knot of boat speed — while offering accommodations spacious enough for long-distance liveaboard use. Berret and Racoupeau delivered a hull that tracks predictably, responds instantly at the helm, and rewards attentive sail trim without punishing the inattentive skipper. For sailors who have moved past the race-first phase of their sailing lives but are not prepared to concede speed for comfort, the 40S makes a compelling case.
Pros
- Resin-infused laminate with balsa core above the waterline and a rigorous hull-to-deck joint
- Keel-cooled refrigeration and freezer — reliable and energy-efficient offshore
- Cockpit geometry is genuinely well-conceived for both racing crew and passagemaking comfort
- Fractional rig with hydraulic backstay and double-ended mainsheet delivers real sail shape control
- Interior headroom, storage distribution, and built-in lee cloths exceed production-boat norms
- Three-bladed folding prop and slow-turning diesel perform cleanly under power
Cons
- Engine cover design requires full removal for in-way servicing at sea
- Propane locker access requires clearing the entire starboard cockpit seat
- Interior grabrails are undersized for handholds in rough conditions
- Standard battery bank will need augmenting before serious offshore use
- Dining table support intrudes into saloon traffic flow
- Seven hatches and two small portlights may leave hot-climate sailors underventilated
