WESTERLY CENTAUR (available) – £7,500

Year: 1975

LOA: 26’

Beam: 8’ 5”

Draft: 3’

Construction: GRP

Hull/Keel: Twin

HIN: 1361

Description:

‘Tyro’ is a very safe, strong sailing yacht, and at 8m in length is ideally suited to the short seas around the Thames Estuary, but equally will withstand any sea and indeed many have crossed the Atlantic. The Westerly Centaur was designed in 1968 by Jack Laurent Giles as a more modern and roomier replacement for the existing Westerly 25. She was probably the first mass-production yacht to have had the design tank-tested before a prototype was built, and this, plus Laurent Giles’s earlier experience with bilge keel designs, was probably the reason for the Centaur’s good performance under sail. Looking at a roomy boat with good headroom and a powerful diesel makes many people regard Centaurs as motor-sailers. They are not – they actually sail very well, although as bilge-keelers they are always going to be slower to windward than similar sized fin-keelers. Unusually for Westerly, the ketch rig versions were not sold under a different name. The same hull was also used for a centre-cockpit version, but this was sold as a Westerly Chieftain. The sailing performance is helped by carefully designed bilge keels which are handed port and starboard with a two degree toe-in, so that once the boat heels under sail the more vertical leeward keel is developing lift to windward. Above deck, the Centaur remains popular because her deep cockpit and wide side decks serve to create a sense of safety when aboard. Another reason for the continuing popularity of Centaurs is the fact that they are a stiff, powerful boat. Whether sailing or motoring, the Centaur’s handling is always predictable. As with all other Westerly Marine yachts the Centaur was massively built. This was partly a result of previous building experience within the company and also a reflection of the state of GRP technology at that time. All Centaurs were built to Lloyds specifications which meant that the building processes were rigorously monitored and all materials had to be approved by Lloyds in order that a certificate could be issued. Although long out of production they still represent excellent value for money, and offer a very tough, seaworthy and spacious (for 26’) yacht at low cost.

Engine(s) & Electrical:

Vetus M218A402A, 2 cylinder, 16hp diesel. Engine serial number: A6007. Drive type: shaft. Fuel capacity: 10 gallons. Twin batteries charged from the engine.

Accommodation & Below Deck:

Double berth in the forepeak, pilot berth in the saloon, 2 quarterberths, standing headroom, cloth upholstery, saloon table, wet locker, curtains, chart table, hanging locker, CD stereo, sea toilet, wash basin, 2-burner gas cooker, galley sink, coolbox.

Deck & Canvas:

Bermudan rig, aluminium spars, stainless steel standing rigging, rope running rigging, headsail furling, mainsail, genoa, non-slip pinted decks, 2 sheet winches, anchor, stainless steel pushpit & pulpit, stainless steel boarding ladder, forehatch, sprayhood, mainsail cover, dodgers.

Navigation & Safety:

Simrad autopilot, Duet log/speed indicator, Star M55 DSC VHF, Garmin 128 GPS with Clipper cockpit repeater, Duet echosounder, clock, barometer, radar reflector, fire extinguisher, bilge pump.

Miscellaneous:

Viewings are by appointment only. For an instant insurance quote call Euromarine Insurance Services on 01843 603345 or click on the link below: www.astonlark.com/euromarine/

Disclaimer:
The particulars detailed herein are intended to give a fair description of the vessel, but their accuracy cannot be guaranteed. These particulars are supplied on the understanding that all negotiations shall be through Highway Marine Ltd who are acting as brokers for the vendor. The vendor is not selling in the course of a business unless otherwise stated. The prospective purchaser is strongly recommended to check the particulars, and where appropriate, at his own expense, to employ qualified independent agents to carry out a survey, and/or any mechanical and electrical checks.