Sailboats for Sale

Layouts on the Used Market

The Centaur's interior is often described as defying its overall length, and for good reason. Three interior layouts were offered over the production run, the most common providing a V-berth forward, a head, a main saloon with convertible dinette to port and galley to starboard, and quarter berths aft. If you look at enough boats, you will encounter the occasional alternative arrangement—some move the galley, others alter the settee configuration—but the classic layout is the one you are most likely to see.

Moving through the cabin always feels generous. Standing headroom of at least 6ft throughout means that most adults can move around without a permanent stoop, though anyone taller than six feet may still need to duck in places, and the saloon settees are properly proportioned for adults. The forward cabin works as a double with a V-shaped infill, and the heads door can be swung across to create an en-suite forecabin if desired. A hanging locker opposite the heads swallows a family's worth of oilskins, yet the sacrifice is that most Centaurs have no dedicated chart table.

Equipment and Common Upgrades

The majority of Centaurs were originally fitted with Volvo Marine inboard diesels ranging from 7 to 25 hp, typically the MD2B on later boats, though a handful left the factory with outboard power. An inboard example is far more common on the used market today. When reviewing any listing, pay attention to which engine is installed and what service records come with it; a well-maintained original unit can still be doing sterling service, while a neglected one will dictate your budget arithmetic.

Electronics and creature comforts tell the story of how a boat has been used. A chartplotter is now commonly fitted, and many centaurs also carry an autopilot and some form of cabin heating. Upgrades such as solar panels, a dodger, an AIS transponder, a furling mainsail, a spinnaker, or full short-handed sailing setups are seen on the brokerage market. The standard rig is a sloop with the mainsheet traveller at the back of the cockpit, and halyards and reefing lines are almost always handled at the mast. That simplicity appeals to many, though at least one owner who tried leading lines aft found it added friction without much benefit.

What to Inspect

If you are commissioning a survey, make sure the inspector pays very close attention to the bilge keel attachments, the attachment of the forward bulkhead, and the shroud chainplate attachments over the cabin windows. Areas to look closely at for signs of problems include the bilge keel attachments, the attachment of the forward bulkhead and the attachment of shroud chain plates over cabin windows. These are the known stress points on the model, and while the glassfibre liner structure has proved durable, any cracking, movement, or amateur repairs in these areas must be taken seriously.

Below the waterline, identify which rudder configuration you have. Centaurs with spade rudders will turn in their own length but are difficult to reverse in a marina, while those fitted with skegs are easier to handle going astern but have a wider turning circle. Either type can give many years of reliable service if well maintained, so let your surveyor assess the actual condition rather than relying on preference alone.

Up in the cockpit, a seemingly minor detail can become a persistent annoyance. Sheets tend to catch around the exposed ends of the teak seating slats. Over time this can wear on sheets and become a persistent nuisance. Check whether the ends have been rounded, capped, or neatly managed—it is a small thing that tells you how thoughtfully a boat has been maintained.

More generally, the Centaur's construction has stood up remarkably well, but clever design features make inspection easier. The fiberglass liners incorporate hatches that allow easy access for inspection and maintenance. Use them to inspect the structure and plumbing hidden beneath; a boat where these hatches have been left unopened for years may hide surprises.

Availability and Buyer's Takeaway

The used market spans the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands, and the United States. Given the sheer number built, you can afford to be picky about layout, engine history, and the quality of past upgrades. A short checklist to carry with you might run something like this:

• Check bilge keel attachments, the forward bulkhead attachment, and the shroud chainplate attachments for cracks.
• Verify rudder type and have a surveyor assess its condition.
• Examine the cockpit slat ends for sheet-snagging damage or tidy modifications.
• Review engine service records and assess the installation of any aftermarket upgrades.
• Inspect the structure and plumbing accessible via the liner hatches.
• Confirm standing rigging age and look for elongated chainplate holes or deck cracks.
• Sail the boat if possible to gauge weather helm, close-winded performance, and rudder feel.

A Centaur that passes these checks is unlikely to disappoint. It may not win a race around the cans, but it will take your family to sandy drying harbours, give you a genuinely comfortable weekend home, and put a smile on the face of anyone who remembers that the best boats earn their status with lunches on the beach rather than knots on the log.