Westerly Centaur for adventurous coastal cruisingWhat type of sailboat is the Westerly Centaur?This 1975 Westerly Centaur is a classic cruising sailboat with a length of 8.56 metres, a beam of 2.54 metres and a draught of 1.10 metres. She was designed by Laurent Giles and built by Westerly, a shipyard known for its characteristic cruising yachts with practical layouts and seaworthy qualities. With her rounded-bilge hull, single rudder and sheltered cockpit, the boat is particularly suitable for coastal waters, longer weekends and holiday cruises.The Centaur is a Version C, with the galley positioned directly to starboard next to the companionway. There is also a spacious cockpit locker at the aft end of the cockpit, useful for storing lines, fenders, tools and other equipment. Her fixed berths accommodate four people. The interior headroom is approximately 1.85 metres, making the accommodation comfortable for staying aboard.Westerly Centaur now available in the online auction. Everyone can place a bid until 19 October 2026.What has this boat been used for?The Westerly Centaur has been used in recent years for pleasure sailing, holidays and weekend trips at sea. The current owners sailed her for two years in the vicinity of the Channel Islands. There, she proved her worth in waters with short waves, strong currents and a large tidal range. The boat was previously owned and used for many years by German owners, generally for around two months each year. Outside the sailing season, she was stored at Dauphin Nautic shipyard in Paimpol.Her cruising area mainly consisted of the French coast and the English Channel. The sheltered cockpit provides a safe and comfortable feeling underway, while her sailing characteristics are well suited to cruising along rocky coastlines, islands and sheltered bays. A particularly memorable destination for the current owners was the anchorage at Belvoir Bay on the island of Herm. Destinations such as this clearly demonstrate what this compact cruising sailboat is intended for: independent sailing, enjoying the coast and spending the night in beautiful locations.What is the accommodation like on board?Inside, she has a cosy dining area and a cooking stove. The layout is practical and well organised, with four fixed berths. The galley is positioned directly to the right of the entrance, making cooking on board easily accessible without unnecessarily encroaching on the living space. The water tank has a capacity of approximately 65 litres.The boat is particularly suitable for a couple or a small family who value independent sailing and outdoor living. Four adults can sleep on board, although the owners honestly indicate that the berths may feel somewhat limited for four tall adults during a stay of several weeks. For weekends, holidays with two people or shorter trips, the layout offers plenty of possibilities.A marine toilet is installed on board. The toilet outlet discharges directly overboard. The cabin also has lighting and a 12-volt system with a connection for 220-volt shore power. A battery charger, voltmeter and two batteries with a combined capacity of 154 Ah make her suitable for comfortable stays without being immediately dependent on shore power.What engine and equipment does she have?The Westerly Centaur is powered by a 1985 Yanmar 3GMD inboard diesel engine. This three-cylinder engine produces 20 hp and has approximately 700 operating hours. It is started manually and runs on diesel. The stated fuel consumption is around 2.5 litres per hour. Cruising speed is approximately 10 kilometres per hour, with a maximum speed of around 15 kilometres per hour under engine.The engine is operational and is winterised annually. In 2026, the oil and all filters were replaced, as well as the anodes and the water-pump impeller. The drive belts were renewed in 2025. A few technical points remain for the next owner, including replacing the engine mounts and the battery switch. The batteries are currently permanently connected. These points have been clearly disclosed so that an interested buyer can arrange a focused inspection and make further adjustments according to their own preferences.Which sails and navigation equipment are included?The sail plan consists of a mainsail, genoa, spinnaker and storm jib. The North Sails genoa dates from 2025 and is fitted to a furling system. The staysail is also new, while the light-air spinnaker is in fresh condition and is supplied with a sock. The mainsail is in good, usable condition. The running rigging was renewed in 2026, and according to the owner, the standing rigging is in strong condition.For navigation, she has a fixed Garmin GPS, a compass, a Lowrance Link 5 VHF radio and a Humminbird fishfinder. The fishfinder may function intermittently and could be replaced in the longer term. Together with the existing sails, the aluminium mast forms a versatile rig for relaxed cruising and more sporting conditions. The genoa has a reefing system and the headsail is fitted with a furling system, making hoisting and reefing from the cockpit easier.What is the condition of the hull and deck?The overall condition of this used sailboat is described as reasonable. In 2026, she was taken out of the water for work on the underwater hull and her exterior. Antifouling was applied, the hull was completely painted and the woodwork was treated with teak oil. The cockpit was also painted, and a forward starboard cleat was repaired. The keel structure has no known problems and the bilge is dry.It is important for an interested buyer to note that signs of osmosis have been identified. This point should be taken into account when assessing her condition. An independent inspection by a specialist can provide insight into the extent, urgency and any necessary follow-up work. This will enable the buyer to plan the technical and financial aspects carefully.Other points requiring attention include the seal on the marine toilet’s hand pump and several screws on the toilet pump. The owner describes the boat openly and transparently, so that the new owner knows exactly which works may still be required.What is included in the sale?On deck, you will find a cockpit table, bow and stern pulpits, fenders, mooring lines and a swimming ladder. She has two anchors with chain and a hydraulic windlass. The cockpit is self-draining and there is a manually operated bilge pump. Safety equipment supplied includes a lifebuoy, a liferaft and semi-offshore safety equipment, including automatically inflatable life jackets.No trailer is included and there is no tender. Her weight is approximately 3,040 kilograms. As a compact but solid cruising sailboat, the Westerly Centaur sits comfortably in the water and offers an appealing combination of ease of handling, shelter and cruising comfort.Who is this Westerly Centaur suitable for?This Westerly Centaur is of interest to anyone looking for a classic sailboat for coastal cruising, island hopping and holidays at sea. She will suit a buyer who enjoys carrying out their own maintenance, values an honest overview of technical points requiring attention and wants to gradually adapt her to their personal preferences. Her sheltered cockpit, practical sailing equipment, engine and navigation facilities make her immediately appealing for new sailing adventures.Anyone searching for a Westerly Centaur for sale, a cruising sailboat for offshore use or an affordable cruising yacht with character will find an attractive foundation in her. Her history along the French coast and in the English Channel, combined with the recent work on the hull, sails and engine, makes her ready for a new owner who wants to make the most of her potential.