Wauquiez Centurion 59 Sailboats for Sale

Layouts on the Used Market

Wauquiez worked directly with early owners to tailor interior arrangements, and two broad configurations circulate on the brokerage market. The owner-focused three-cabin layout is the one you will encounter more frequently, typically placing a generous owner's suite aft and leaving two cabins forward for guests or family. The alternative four-cabin layout is less common and almost invariably carries an ex-charter pedigree. While a four-cabin boat can make sense for a skipper planning a crewed operation or a large family, the communal spaces on the three-cabin version feel considerably more gracious for long-term cruising. Regardless of layout, the saloon is generally bright and well laid out for life aboard, reflecting the boat's offshore intentions.

Equipment and Common Upgrades

As a semi-custom design that has now been on the water for decades, the equipment aboard a Centurion 59 reflects individual ownership rather than a uniform factory specification. The cutter rig, carrying an inner forestay for a staysail, remains a defining feature of the design and gives a shorthanded crew real flexibility when the breeze builds. Beyond the rig itself, expect meaningful variation from boat to boat in the condition of electronics, ground tackle, and onboard systems, with some examples still close to their original specification and others substantially modernised by their owners.

What to Inspect

A Centurion 59 commands a serious survey, starting with the structural grid and the keel attachment. While the hull layup enjoys a solid reputation, any grounding history must be investigated thoroughly around the forward section of the fin keel and the matrix that distributes keel loads. The spade rudder should be dropped for a close inspection of the stock, bearings, and any sign of water ingress, particularly if the boat has spent time in warmer waters where crevice corrosion can accelerate.

The deck should be walked with a moisture meter and a small hammer. Where teak decks are fitted, they can hide elevated moisture readings in the balsa core around heavily trafficked areas, chainplates, and the base of the mast step. Pay special attention to the mast partners and the area immediately beneath the deck collar. The Dubois-designed hull is well-proportioned for offshore work, and its performance characteristics are tied to the original design ratios, but the comfort and performance window still relies on the condition of the standing rigging. Unless a seller can produce a detailed, dated invoice for a complete re-rig within the last decade, budget to do the work immediately. Rod rigging, if it is original equipment, must be inspected with a highly critical eye for hairline cracks or signs of pitting, especially where terminals enter swages.

Below decks, focus on the tankage. Water and fuel tanks on a boat of this age can develop pin-hole leaks or corrosion where they sit against shelves or hull sides; access for inspection and replacement can be awkward and requires advance planning. Engine accessibility is generally good by the standards of the era, but carefully inspect the exhaust elbow, engine mounts, and sail-drive seal if fitted. On ex-charter examples, survey the simpler cabinetry and high-cycle door hinges in the forward accommodation, which typically wear faster than those in owner-commissioned boats.

Availability and Buyer's Takeaway

The brokerage pool is geographically concentrated, with the Netherlands, Greece, North Carolina, and Australia the markets where used examples most typically surface—a mix of privately commissioned yachts and former charter boats. This means a serious buyer must be prepared to travel and, in an ideal scenario, should cultivate a relationship with a buyer's broker who understands the nuances of the Wauquiez brand.

Buyer's Checklist

• Confirm whether the boat is a three-cabin owner layout or a four-cabin ex-charter configuration.
• Assess the moisture status of the balsa-cored deck, particularly beneath any teak decking around the mast and chainplates.
• Budget for a full standing-rigging replacement unless a recent, fully documented re-rig is verifiable.
• Drop the rudder and inspect stock, bearings, and quadrant for wear or water damage.
• Pressure-test or closely examine the fuel and water tankage for age-related corrosion.
• Verify the service history of the engine, saildrive, and exhaust system.