CENTAUR 26 (WESTERLY)
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 26 ft |
| LWL | 21.33 ft |
| Beam | 8.42 ft |
| Draft | 3 ft |
| Displacement | 6,700 lb |
| Ballast | 2,799.9 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 6.2 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Pmainsail luff | 13.75 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 11.52 ft |
About the CENTAUR 26 (WESTERLY)
The CENTAUR was Westerly's most successful model and, in anything close to this size range, the most popular British production sailboat ever. It's thought that all are bilge/twin keelers and a few were delivered with a ketch rig. A center cockpit/aft cabin version, the CHIEFTAIN, was introduced in 1972.
Designed by Laurent Giles and built by Westerly Marine Ltd. in the UK, the Centaur 26 is a robust, heavy-displacement cruiser with 2444 hulls constructed between 1969 and 1980. Its design prioritizes stability and comfort, evidenced by a high displacement of 6700.0 lb and a comfort ratio of 26.66, making it a classic example of British coastal cruising craftsmanship.
- Best for:
- This boat is ideally suited for coastal cruisers and weekend sailors who value a stable, comfortable ride and easy handling, particularly those looking for a manageable 26.0 ft LOA package that is well-documented in the owner community. It is less suited for aggressive racing due to its heavy displacement and moderate sail area-to-displacement ratio of 14.63.
- Bluewater capability:
- While the Centaur 26 possesses a low capsize ratio of 1.79 and significant ballast of 2799.9 lb that suggests inherent stability, its bluewater capability is limited by the high frequency of reported keel smile and sump cracking issues, which compromise structural integrity for extended offshore passages.
- Comparables:
- Comparable boats include the Westerly Falcon and the Hallberg-Rassy 26, as they share similar heavy-displacement, full-keel or twin-keel characteristics designed for safe, stable coastal cruising. The Centaur 26 also competes with the Pearson 26 and O'Day 26 in the 26-foot market, though the Centaur distinguishes itself with its specific twin/triple keel configuration and Laurent Giles pedigree.
Direct variants of the CENTAUR 26 (WESTERLY)
Near-identical models — same hull, builder and designer, re-badged or lightly changed. Specs and owner-reported issues are typically shared across the group, so a sister model's page may carry detail this one doesn't.
Performance
ORC Performance Data(3 certificates)
Measured performance data from ORC (Offshore Racing Congress) certificates.
Polar Diagram
Boat speed (kn) vs. true wind angle. Source: ORC
Racing Ratings
Triple Number
ORC Measured
Sail Areas (ORC)
Speed Table (kn)
| TWA \ TWS | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 20 | 24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52° | 2.8 | 3.9 | 4.6 | 5.2 | 5.5 | 5.8 | 5.9 | 6.0 | 5.9 |
| 60° | 3.1 | 4.1 | 4.9 | 5.4 | 5.7 | 5.9 | 6.1 | 6.2 | 6.1 |
| 75° | 3.2 | 4.3 | 5.0 | 5.6 | 5.9 | 6.1 | 6.3 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| 90° | 3.2 | 4.4 | 5.3 | 5.9 | 6.2 | 6.4 | 6.5 | 6.7 | 6.9 |
| 110° | 3.2 | 4.5 | 5.4 | 5.9 | 6.3 | 6.5 | 6.8 | 7.3 | 7.6 |
| 120° | 3.1 | 4.3 | 5.2 | 5.8 | 6.2 | 6.5 | 6.8 | 7.3 | 7.9 |
| 135° | 2.8 | 3.9 | 4.8 | 5.5 | 6.0 | 6.3 | 6.6 | 7.1 | 7.8 |
| 150° | 2.3 | 3.3 | 4.2 | 4.9 | 5.5 | 5.9 | 6.2 | 6.7 | 7.2 |
| Beat VMG | 1.8 | 2.5 | 3.0 | 3.4 | 3.7 | 3.9 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 3.9 |
| Run VMG | 2.0 | 2.9 | 3.6 | 4.3 | 4.8 | 5.2 | 5.6 | 6.1 | 6.6 |
Pricing
We don't have market pricing data for the CENTAUR 26 (WESTERLY) yet. If you own one, help other buyers — what did you pay for it? Reports build a community price estimate over time.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 26ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
5 reported issues across 4 systems for the CENTAUR 26 (WESTERLY), compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a CENTAUR 26 (WESTERLY)? This is an in-depth report on the faults this model is known for — so you know exactly what to check when you walk the boat. For the price of a coffee.
- ✓ All 5 specific issues — severity, symptoms & fixes
- ✓ Model-specific pre-purchase inspection checklist
- ✓ Downloadable PDF to take to your surveyor — yours to keep
One-time $2.99 · secure checkout by Stripe · instant access · 30 days online, PDF yours to keep
Similar Sailboats
Which engine powers your CENTAUR 26 (WESTERLY)?
We haven't confirmed the engine for this model yet. If you own or know one, tell us — as owners report in, we build an accurate picture over time.
Brands sometimes mentioned for this model: Yanmar, Bukh — is it one of these?
Already know your engine? Search all engines → to find its exact parts.
Used sails that fit the CENTAUR 26 (WESTERLY)
Checking eBay for sails sized to this boat's rig…