Design and Construction
The Centaur was built using a new method of glassfibre boat construction that enabled production on a mass scale never before seen, and the moulds were located in Waterlooville, Hants. The hull is of straightforward fiberglass composite construction, and Westerly was one of the first builders to make extensive use of fiberglass liners that formed part of the boat's structural integrity. Unlike many modern builders that use fiberglass liners, Westerly incorporated hatches that allow easy access for inspection and maintenance when needed.
The design employs fixed, cast iron bilge keels rather than a traditional fin keel, giving a draft of just 3ft (0.9m). Its twin keels allow the boat to dry out on tidal moorings or be beached, sitting upright on a sandy shore—a capability that opens up cruising grounds and mooring options unavailable to deeper-draft vessels. The hull features a flared bow and a long, high, wide cabin trunk that leaves little foredeck and side deck space, resulting in what one tester describes as a somewhat chunky appearance. Construction details changed over the years, but for the most part older boats are sound and have held up well, with the design having stood up well to the rigors of the marine environment over many decades. Displacement figures vary by source, from about 6,000 lb up to roughly 6,700 lb (2,700–3,040 kg); ballast is put at 2,800 lb (1,271 kg), and the boat has a displacement-length ratio of 253 with a modest sail area displacement ratio of 15.1.
Rig and Handling
The Centaur was primarily built as a sloop rig, though in 1974 a ketch-rigged version was introduced—fewer than 20 were produced, and one tester notes never having seen one in the United States. The rig is easily handled but not under-canvassed, with a mainsail of 161 sq ft and a genoa of 240 sq ft. The mainsheet traveller is located at the back of the cockpit, and most Centaurs do not have halyards and reefing lines led aft, with sail-handling work commonly done at the mast instead.
Sailing performance reflects the boat's cruising priorities. The increased wetted surface and separate hydrodynamic characteristics of the twin keels reduce speed and pointing ability, especially in light wind, and the Centaur is not the most close-winded of boats. Weather helm will develop when pushed hard in a breeze unless you reef early, and sailing effectively upwind in a seaway demands skill. One reviewer compared performance to a racer/cruiser like the Pearson 26 and found it less than stellar, though he noted this was likely an unfair comparison; measured against a pure cruising design such as the H-26, the differences are much less dramatic. The solid Westerly build makes the sailing experience very forgiving for a novice skipper, and one owner reports the boat can be sailed like a dinghy with the helmsman perched on the cockpit coaming, steering with a tiller extension.
Manoeuvring characteristics depend on rudder configuration. Centaurs with spade rudders will turn in their own length but are difficult to reverse in a marina, while those with skeg rudders are easier to handle going astern but have a wider turning circle. The relatively light, shallow hull with high windage can be skittish at anchor, though the shallow draft means the boat can creep close inshore to find better shelter.
Accommodations
Few if any 26-foot boats past or present match the Centaur's roominess. Three interior layouts were offered over the production run, and cabin layout varies among examples. The most common layout provides a V-berth cabin forward followed by a head, the main saloon with convertible dinette to port and galley to starboard, and quarter berths aft. Minimum standing headroom is 6ft throughout, and all berths are at least 6ft long with enough shoulder room for an average adult.
The forward cabin has a double berth with a V-shaped infill, and the door of the port-side heads hinges round to make the forecabin en suite if desired. A hanging locker opposite the heads can hold five sets of oilskins. The saloon has two settee berths with a drop-leaf table between them and a quarter berth on the port side aft, offering more comfort than most boats of this size. The galley is to starboard, with a sink, a gimballed two-burner oven with a grill, and enough worktop space to prepare a decent meal at sea or in port. Storage space is excellent, though many Centaurs have no dedicated chart table. Most can sleep up to five adults in reasonable comfort. The cockpit is large, deep, and safe with raised teak slats for seating, and the bathing ladder on the stern can be used whether afloat or dried out.
Known Issues
Several areas warrant close inspection on older Centaurs. Problem areas include the bilge keel attachments, the attachment of the forward bulkhead, and the shroud chainplate attachments over the cabin windows. The bilges are practically nonexistent. On deck, sheets tend to catch around the exposed ends of the teak slats in the cockpit, and small persons may have difficulty seeing over the cabin top from a normally seated position. One owner attempted to fit clutches on the coachroof but reported excessive friction, calling it a waste of time and money, and returned to handling sail controls at the mast.
Refits and Ownership
The Centaur's construction lends itself to long-term ownership and updating. Most were fitted with various models of Volvo Marine inboard diesel engines ranging from 7 to 25 horsepower, with the MD2B being a popular selection on later boats, though a few used outboard motors. The fiberglass liners incorporate inspection hatches that make maintenance access straightforward—a detail that distinguishes the Centaur from many newer designs. The Westerly Centaur owners' association provides model-specific knowledge for those maintaining these boats.
The Verdict
The Westerly Centaur is a proper family cruiser whose enduring popularity rests on genuinely useful attributes: twin keels that enable drying out, extraordinary interior volume for a 26-foot hull, and a forgiving nature that welcomes novice skippers. Coastal daysailing is her forte, with the occasional jaunt across open water to France, Holland, or Ireland in fair or moderate weather. She is not widely considered an ocean cruiser, though she would run happily before the Trade Winds, and while she does not offer thoroughbred performance, she can still be exhilarating in the right conditions. If sleek lines are among your boat-buying criteria, the Centaur probably will not light your fire—but with her ability to sit upright on a beach and decades of proven family-cruising credentials, she remains a boat many owners never quite want to give up.
Pros
- Exceptional interior volume and 6ft headroom throughout for a 26-foot boat
- Twin keels allow drying out on tidal moorings or beaching
- Solid, forgiving build ideal for novice skippers and family cruising
- Excellent storage and comfortable cockpit
- Strong community support through an active owners' association
Cons
- Limited windward performance and pointing ability, especially in light air
- Weather helm develops when pressed; requires early reefing
- High windage and shallow hull can make the boat skittish at anchor
- Chunky appearance with limited side-deck space
- Bilge keel attachments and forward bulkhead require careful survey on older boats
