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Wauquiez Centurion 40

1986–1993 · designed by Ed Dubois · built by Wauquiez (Henri Wauquiez Chantier Naval)

The Centurion 40 was conceived as a high-end performance cruiser-racer capable of bluewater passages while remaining competitive on the race course — a Swan-class aspiration at a French price point. Ed Dubois penned a moderate-displacement hull with a fine entry, wide beam carried aft, and a masthead sloop rig that rewards sail trim. The market niche was the serious offshore couple or small crew who wanted passage speed without sacrificing cruising comfort. With only ~33 hulls built it is a rare, boutique-production boat that commands premium maintenance expectations.

This is a general read on the Wauquiez Centurion 40 class — informed background, not a verdict on any individual boat. Condition, refit history, and how a particular hull was sailed and stored matter far more than class reputation. Use it to know what to look for; for a read on a specific listing, run a free FairKeel report on that boat.

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At a glance

Hull form: Fin Keel
Ballast: Bolt On Lead
Rudder: Spade
Mast step: Keel Stepped
Hull construction: Fiberglass
Production: 1986–1993
Built in: France

What the Wauquiez Centurion 40 is known for

Ed Dubois hull design delivers genuine bluewater passage speed; well-balanced helm and stiff for its displacement makes it confidence-inspiring offshore.
High-quality French production with thick hull laminate and attention to structural detail compared with mass-market contemporaries.
Two keel-draft options (deep race keel and shoal bulbed keel) provide meaningful versatility for different cruising grounds.
Masthead sloop rig with generous sail area-to-displacement ratio rewards sail trim and delivers strong performance across a wide range of conditions.
Very low hull count (~33) means the boat retains collector appeal and tends to attract owners who maintain it well; parts of the fleet are well-documented.

Known trade-offs

Extremely limited production run (~33 hulls) makes parts, specialist knowledge, and class comparisons difficult; buyer is largely on their own for class-specific guidance.
All hulls are now 30+ years old, meaning standing rigging, engine, shaft seal, sea cocks, and hull blister treatment are almost certainly at or past service life on unmaintained examples.
Shaft-drive propulsion on aging examples requires careful inspection of shaft log, cutlass bearing, and shaft condition — a failing shaft seal is a sinking risk.
Performance-oriented hull and rig can make short-handed offshore sailing demanding compared to more cruising-oriented contemporaries of the same era.
Interior volume and storage are modest relative to more beamy cruising designs of similar LOA; not a strong liveaboard choice for crews larger than two.

Age-related quirks to expect

Hull osmosis / blister exposure Medium 1986-1993 (all hulls now 30+ years old)

Original standing rigging at end of service life High 1986-1993

Shaft seal, cutlass bearing, and propeller shaft wear on aging shaft-drive installations Medium 1986-1993

Deck hardware bedding failures and core moisture ingress at chainplates and stanchion bases Medium 1986-1993

Original Volvo or Yanmar engine hours — repower exposure on high-hour examples Medium 1986-1993

Systems to check before you buy

Shaft seal, cutlass bearing, and propeller shaft priority: offshore, coastal, liveaboard

Original shaft-drive installations are now 30+ years old. Inspect for weeping at the shaft log, cutlass bearing slop, and any scoring or bend in the shaft. A failing shaft seal can sink the boat; confirm condition and budget replacement as a routine haulout item regardless of apparent condition.

Standing rigging — wire or rod, toggles, chainplates priority: offshore, coastal, racing

All hulls are now well past the 15-20 year replacement threshold. Inspect for cracked swages, pitting at toggles, and chainplate through-deck seal integrity. Stainless chainplate corrosion can be concealed behind interior lining — pull the lining to inspect.

Hull laminate — osmotic blistering priority: offshore, coastal, liveaboard, weekending

All 1986-1993 polyester-hulled boats should be assessed for osmotic blistering. Confirm whether a professional barrier coat has been applied, when, and by whom. Ultrasonic moisture survey below the waterline is advisable before purchase.

Keel-to-hull joint and keel bolts priority: offshore, coastal, liveaboard

Bolt-on lead fin keel. Inspect the keel sump for rust weeping, soft spots, or cracking in the tabbing. The two-draft keel option (standard 7'6" vs. shoal-bulbed 5'3") has different bolt patterns; confirm which variant is fitted and that bolts are not wasted.

Deck core and hardware bedding — hatches, stanchion bases, mast partners priority: offshore, liveaboard, coastal

Balsa or foam cored deck sections common on French production of this era; water ingress at fittings leads to soft, delaminated core. Tap the entire deck and pay special attention around the mast partner, spinnaker pole track attachment, and any hardware added post-build.

How it fits your plans

Offshore: The deep-keel variant (2.3m draft) is the correct choice for offshore work; the capsize screening figure sits right at the bluewater threshold. The Dubois hull tracks well and is reportedly stiff for its displacement, but the masthead rig and light air performance come with a trade-off in heavy-weather workload. Fit for blue water in competent hands, provided the rig and running rigging have been fully reconditioned.
Coastal: Excellent coastal cruiser-racer. The shoal-keel variant opens up anchorage options without badly compromising performance. Sail handling is rewarding in the 10-20 knot range where this design shines.
Liveaboard: Two-stateroom layout with a proper head and reasonable galley makes it liveable for a couple on extended passages. Storage is adequate rather than generous; the performance-cruiser heritage means accommodation is secondary to sailing systems.
Weekending: Capable and fast for weekend sailing. Relatively small fleet means finding a marina berth is rarely an issue, but sourcing class-specific knowledge and parts requires networking with owners.
Racing: Was campaigned in IOR and IMS racing in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Now primarily a cruising boat; its rating would need assessment under current handicap systems if club racing is the goal.

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