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, with the aim of combining strength and light weight. The deck is balsa-cored, as is the hull above the waterline, and the keel ballast is lead.
An internal grid of floors and stringers carries the rig loads. Rods inside the saloon transfer loads from the shrouds, while the bulkheads are bonded and glassed all around. The hull-to-deck joint combines polyurethane adhesive with mechanical fasteners, and the rudderstock is composite. Together, these details point to a structure engineered to handle substantial rig loads rather than casual weekend use.
Rig, Cockpit, and Deck Layout
The tapered cockpit is narrow enough at its forward end for sailors to brace their feet as the boat heels, while the broader aft section provides working room for the crew during racing maneuvers. Winches are positioned for efficient crew access, with useful line-tail lockers near the companionway. The large wheel sits in a trough, and the mainsheet is double-ended.
The rest of the deck is similarly workmanlike. Long grabrails run along the low cabintop, the lifeline anchors are solid, and the teak-topped seats sit over effective antiskid. A fiberglass panel covers the halyards and reefing lines as they lead aft.
Standard rigging is wire. For racing, Wauquiez offered optional rod rigging, a hydraulic backstay tensioner, and a deep keel. At the bow, there’s a large roller and a windlass inside the sizable foredeck locker. The transom opens onto a well-designed stern platform with a boarding ladder.
Performance Under Sail and Power
In 8 to 9 knots of breeze, the Centurion 40S accelerated easily to just over 6 knots and was quite easy to keep in the groove. The wheel action was a joy: it responded immediately to pressure without becoming squirrelly or tracking erratically.
Under power, she handles as well as she does under sail, turning within one boat length to both port and starboard. The slow-turning diesel runs softly and produces plenty of torque between 1,600 and 2,300 rpm, giving around 7 knots of boatspeed. Good soundproofing around the engine space keeps the saloon quiet. A three-bladed folding Gori prop is fitted.
Accommodations
Below, the saloon is exceptionally pretty, with an open overhead along its full length and ample headroom. Sizable cabinets provide stowage throughout the saloon.
The L-shaped galley includes a front-opening refrigerator and a separate freezer. Both use a keel cooler rather than air or seawater for heat exchange. The stovetop cover doubles as a serving tray or additional counter space, while a deep double sink is set near the centerline. Anchor rings for a stove safety belt are standard.
To port, the head includes a wet locker, and there’s a large, separate shower stall. The efficient navigation station has room for a chart book and a plotter or radar display.
Both the forward and aft cabins have hanging lockers and cabinets. The aft cabin also offers good overhead clearance and reading lights at the double berth. All berths have leeboards for sleeping securely under way.
Engine and Systems
Engine access is excellent from the front and good through removable side panels. The installation is neat and secure, and the engine space is well soundproofed.
The electrical panel is neatly wired to European standards, and standard battery capacity is 240 amp-hours. Visible plumbing is neatly routed and properly clamped. The propane supply is housed at the aft end of the starboard seat locker, clear of the interior.
The Verdict
The Centurion 40S is a thoughtfully engineered cruiser-racer that combines a performance-oriented deck with a genuinely livable interior, all built around a structurally rigorous infused hull. She suits sailors who want racing-derived handling without giving up comfort at anchor.
Pros
- Fast hull, easy acceleration, and a forgiving helm in light air
- Rigorous internal grid and glassed bulkheads designed to manage rig loads
- Attractive, open saloon with a practical galley and separate shower
- Excellent engine access and a quiet, secure diesel installation
- Tapered cockpit and clean deck layout suited to short-handed or fully crewed sailing
Cons
- Standard wire rigging is less race-ready than the optional rod rigging
- Balsa-cored hull above the waterline calls for a careful moisture survey
- Propane locker in the seat locker requires verification of its venting
