CENTURION 40
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 39.6 ft |
| LWL | 32.8 ft |
| Beam | 13.42 ft |
| Draft | 7.7 ft |
| Displacement | 20,944 lb |
| Ballast | 7,937.8 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 7.7 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Iforetriangle height | 54.8 ft |
| Jforetriangle base | 16.9 ft |
| Pmainsail luff | 47.8 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 15.3 ft |
| FLforestay | 16.9 ft |
| Mainsail | 858 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 463.1 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 787.2 sq ft |
About the CENTURION 40
Shallow draft: 5.25' / 1.6m SA (reported) = main + 140% Genoa
The Centurion 40 is a rare, performance-oriented cruising sloop designed by Ed Dubois and built by Henri Wauquiez (FRA) between 1986 and 1993, with only 33 hulls produced. Its lightweight displacement of 20944.0 lb and high sail area-to-displacement ratio of 23.35 reflect a design prioritizing speed and handling over heavy displacement comfort.
- Best for:
- This boat suits experienced coastal cruisers and short-handed sailors who value performance and agility, as evidenced by the high prevalence of Raymarine and B&G electronics upgrades and North sails in the owner community.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a capsize ratio of 1.95 and a comfort ratio of 29.25, the boat is capable of offshore passages, though its relatively light displacement and fin keel require careful weight management and weather routing compared to heavier displacement bluewater cruisers.
- Comparables:
- Comparable to other 1980s European performance cruisers like the Beneteau First 36 or Oyster 36, the Centurion 40 shares a similar era and role but distinguishes itself with a significantly lower build count and a more specialized, lighter hull form.
Performance
ORC Performance Data(1 certificate)
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 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52° | 4.9 | 5.8 | 6.6 | 7.0 | 7.2 | 7.3 | 7.4 |
| 60° | 5.2 | 6.1 | 6.8 | 7.2 | 7.4 | 7.5 | 7.6 |
| 75° | 5.4 | 6.4 | 7.0 | 7.3 | 7.5 | 7.7 | 8.0 |
| 90° | 5.3 | 6.4 | 7.1 | 7.5 | 7.7 | 7.8 | 8.2 |
| 110° | 5.4 | 6.5 | 7.2 | 7.6 | 7.9 | 8.2 | 8.6 |
| 120° | 5.2 | 6.3 | 7.1 | 7.5 | 7.9 | 8.2 | 8.8 |
| 135° | 4.7 | 5.8 | 6.7 | 7.3 | 7.6 | 8.0 | 8.6 |
| 150° | 4.0 | 5.1 | 5.9 | 6.6 | 7.1 | 7.4 | 7.8 |
| Beat VMG | 3.2 | 3.9 | 4.4 | 4.8 | 5.1 | 5.2 | 5.3 |
| Run VMG | 3.5 | 4.4 | 5.1 | 5.8 | 6.1 | 6.6 | 7.4 |
Pricing
We don't have market pricing data for the CENTURION 40 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 39.6ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
16 reported issues across 7 systems for the CENTURION 40, compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a CENTURION 40? 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 16 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 CENTURION 40?
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, Perkins, Bukh, Universal — is it one of these?
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Used sails that fit the CENTURION 40
Checking eBay for sails sized to this boat's rig…