Interesting Centaur – £4,500

http://www.clarkeandcarter.co.uk/boats-for-sale/1973-westerly-centaur-5151606

sent to me by gary

 

 

I looked at the boat images  the interior is fantastic -

 

 

 

 

 

the snaps  moved across and there was that Penta

- aaaagh!

 

 

I might offer them 2K

 

D

 

This is about Dylan Winter's Blog, Sailing around Britain.

46 Responses to “Interesting Centaur – £4,500”

  1. 9 September, 2015 at 5:51 pmTed B. (Charging Rhino) says:

    That ironmongery looks as aged as the Slug’s Beast… I hate to say, but a friend of mine who restores and collects expensive old cars has a saying for one’s like that.

    “Neff !!” Not Even For Free.

    They look “interesting” They’re tempting. They’re such’a deal… Neff !!

    Walk away. Don’t be rude. They are the ones that are money black-holes…worse, time black-holes. Neff !!

    “It’s not that bad, it just needs a little attention” Neff !!

  2. 9 September, 2015 at 6:05 pmdylan winter says:

    2K

    I could put an outboard bracket on the back and run the MD2 it until the engine goes pop.

    Then make with the jigsaw

    the rest of the boat is wonderful

    D

  3. 9 September, 2015 at 6:33 pmOwen says:

    I scrolled through the images… “nice, nice, thats cool, yep, yep, cool, nice, oh dear.” (last 2 images).

  4. 9 September, 2015 at 6:36 pmdylan winter says:

    just what I did

    but it would be a great 2K boat

    the engine might run for a a day or a decade – but with a Tohatsu on the back I am in a position to finish the season

    and then deal with the inevitable engine transplant when it comes

    D

  5. 9 September, 2015 at 7:03 pmTed B. (Charging Rhino) says:

    For sailing Essex and the Broads, I’d agree with you.

    I’d hate for it to go POP! while you’re in the Hebrides — or anywhere in the North when it’s time for the jigsaw. If you’re going to jig-saw a Centaur, it needs to be at a time of your choosing and while she’s sitting on the hard along the Solent or in Essex/Kent, not after outboarding into Gareloch or Stornoway.

    I’m just not that convinced of the safety/sanity of stern-bracket outboards offshore. Perhaps it’s just a prejudice I’ve developed looking at some of the boats here in the US with stern-hung outboards and trying to imagine trying to outrun bad weather offshore in the Atlantic, or even out in the middle of Chesapeake Bay.

    They are fine for marina maneuvering and river-use, but in bad weather or a heavy chop they tend to pogo in and out of the water. Even the lazarette-mounted outboards that were popular here in the US before the small diesels replaced the ubiquitous Atomic-4 inboards were always problematic offshore in bad weather.

    The outboard-well of the KatieL is inboard of the stern, and a lot closer to the center-of-buoyancy, so the Tohatsu stays immersed in moderately bad weather. The Honda might not in a chop or a hard blow. And they don’t have the reserve power or torque of a diesel when fighting the wind or a heavy sea.

    It’s similar to my growing prejudice that for single-handed or short-handed sailing I think I want a tiller’d boat, not a wheel-pedestal way in the back of the stern where I’m more-exposed to the weather, the movement of the boat, and a following sea. I don’t like the idea of having to reach or crawl-around the wheel, or worse stand on the seats while climbing to get around the wheel to reach a winch-line, especially is the boat-action is a bit lively, while single-handing.

    Just like I’m not going to buy any boat where there’s the risk of accidentally stepping through the companionway-hatch down into the sink or the ice-box and breaking ankle or falling down the companionway Just like I want full width steps for the companionway, not those dangerous alternating half-treads. Utter madness… Sailboats sail on an angle — slip, fall, or twist and ankle at the companionway while single-handed and your-are-screwed.

    That’s on one thing about the Pembrokeshire Centaur that I would change. Strong full-width treads and at-least one additional-one so it’s not so-“high” climbing up-or-down.

  6. 9 September, 2015 at 7:39 pmIan Clarke says:

    The Kelvin in Storm (Wooten Creek thread pre Easter) went and seized on me & it’s a new Beta that’s required, at least 8-9k to buy and install (off to SIBS on Monday). I think a Centaur with a Volvo MD is almost worth nothing, or it would have to have a lot going for it otherwise to make any sort of offer.

  7. 9 September, 2015 at 7:49 pmdylan winter says:

    I have asked if I might make an insulting offer

    D

  8. 9 September, 2015 at 7:50 pmdylan winter says:

    you know you can always wait for that weather window

    the job can be done anywhere

    a van full of tools and you have the well

    it is a lovely boat

    now come on- it really is

    D

  9. 9 September, 2015 at 9:07 pmNiall says:

    2K is more than fair for that – ancient engine and some dubious looking DIY. No word of keel strengthening that a lot of them seem to have had done. Also has the pox “It has been identified that the hull does have a touch of Osmosis”

  10. 9 September, 2015 at 9:26 pmdylan winter says:

    Jill does not like the A layout

    I do though….

    D

  11. 9 September, 2015 at 9:28 pmNiall says:

    A layout would be good for a family bit the C layout looks the best for more, umm, mature sailors ;)

  12. 9 September, 2015 at 9:34 pmdylan winter says:

    heartily agree

    and a real table to work at

    however…. other pressures apply

  13. 9 September, 2015 at 9:38 pmJonathan Sharman says:

    Surely it’s worth spending a bit more for a better engine?

  14. 9 September, 2015 at 9:43 pmdylan winter says:

    yes it is

    but it looks lovely inside

    I will feel less impetuous once I am back aboard Katie L and sailing

    then I will get a sense of perspective

  15. 9 September, 2015 at 10:01 pmPaul Thompson says:

    I’m in full agreement with Ted on this one. Never understood your fondness for outboards either… I hate em!

  16. 9 September, 2015 at 10:04 pmPaul Thompson says:

    Actually, I don’t like the inside… to dark for my taste! So far… Catspaw gets my vote :-)

  17. 9 September, 2015 at 10:04 pmdylan winter says:

    Ted is right

    but….

    no

    Ted is right

  18. 9 September, 2015 at 10:27 pmdylan winter says:

    Catspaw is the best yet I think and in a great place

    driving north today so they obviously did not go for my 5K

    D

  19. 9 September, 2015 at 10:28 pmPeter from Holland says:

    Also check http://www.botentekoop.nl .
    There is e.g. one at 7950Euro, 5800 pds, over your budget, but see below, and maybe price is negociable. It says engine has been rebuild recently. Its a volvo, but looks different than bad engine of your subject above boat.

    Suggestion:
    Intro: In the north of the Netherlands we have some beatifull Islands to visit, the smaller ones only width small depth. Inside holland thereis the Ijsselmeerwith lots of historic places around it. And also the province of Friesland has lots of sailing area.

    Proposal: If boat stays in Holland until end of june 2016 I would consider renting partime at say 1000pds your boat , so I can check out the Isles. I will help you sail it to England after that. I am working full time so I only need it a few times for a week, maybe some weekends. We can make calendar for usage so you can use it rest of the time or we can sail together. Could be a nice short intermezzo project, Holland?
    I am not involved in this specific boat any way, so some other decent one would do as well.
    I am open for discussion.

    Anyway just a suggestion, succes. Let me know if I can be of help getting details of boats in Holland.

  20. 9 September, 2015 at 10:37 pmdylan winter says:

    Blimey P

    that comes out of the ether

    Not sure

    let me have a think

    although the price is high and it is in the wrong place

  21. 9 September, 2015 at 10:41 pmPeter from Holland says:

    Hmmm, rebuild 2006, osmoses treatment 2004, rol reef main and genua, electric mast down

  22. 9 September, 2015 at 11:06 pmPeter from Holland says:

    7000euro, 5000 pounds, http://www.2ehands.be, recent sails , engine new,500hrs,Blankenberge Belgium
    For me to far away to be of interest as parttime rental.
    I have a friend living close to blankenberge.

  23. 9 September, 2015 at 11:14 pmwarren says:

    Amazing what happens when your away from the internet for a long weekend!
    this one is certainly decent and clearly been fussed over for a few years , all the clean varnish work etc.
    (I think Gillingham is a drying harbour)
    $4500.00 but open to offers.
    It is the 2 cylinder engine and they are good solid beasts.
    Ohoops…it has A DYNASTART….crappy charging……
    your right 2k maybe 2.5K depending on sails etc
    keep it on the list and keep looking.
    warren

  24. 10 September, 2015 at 8:49 amIan Clarke says:

    But even then what’s the minimum to put in a reliable working inboard? Perhaps a little bit lower than 8-9k, but not much.

    Did see a Centaur with an outboard on the back in a well cut into the transom at Ludham Bridge, on the river Ant on the Broads a few weeks ago – I did mean to take a photo on the way back but forgot.

  25. 10 September, 2015 at 8:50 amIan Clarke says:

    Always find dinette layouts very uncomfortable, on that one your knees would be clashing.

  26. 10 September, 2015 at 9:37 amIan Clarke says:

    Volvo MD2 – buying into trouble for the future

  27. 10 September, 2015 at 10:54 amGraham Tipple says:

    You must have clocked “Eau Yeah” !!! on ebay which is down here at Gosport. Looks pretty good. Still 7 days to go but might be worth a shot if “Catspaw” does not happen. Keep up the search, you know you will get there.

  28. 10 September, 2015 at 1:51 pmPeter c says:

    Used to love the old md2 thumper. Dropped a valve late 90’s, so playing at a rebuild. Shipped used heads from california to ontario, gaskets from indonesia, still looking for push rods.
    Point is, would use it in a fishing launch, not offshore sailing again. Love my tohatsu, but never on a bracket. My problem is clearing prop daily in the well due to weeds here. Never a hint of cavitation in modest seas.
    Ideally, a slot well so motor can be popped up. Liked my transom cut out on a earlier tub, but iffy in big swells.
    A previous old inboard is on my mooring anchors, should of added the md2 and saved the bucks.
    Hold out for the beta…
    Peter

  29. 10 September, 2015 at 3:46 pmJohn Schofield says:

    Of course, you don’t need to buy a new engine. A reconditioned 2 cylinder Yanmar diesel can be had for under £2,000.

  30. 10 September, 2015 at 6:02 pmdylan winter says:

    email sent

    D

  31. 10 September, 2015 at 6:04 pmdylan winter says:

    I know… but if I could get it for 2K I could run it until it goes pop – then voyage with the tohatsu to somewhere to do the surgery

  32. 10 September, 2015 at 6:04 pmdylan winter says:

    ah = now I like them – jill doesn’t like them much

  33. 10 September, 2015 at 6:05 pmdylan winter says:

    I would not replace the engine – run it until it goes pop – sail on for the rest of the season using the tohatsu – hiding from the bad weather – and then do the surgery

  34. 10 September, 2015 at 6:08 pmdylan winter says:

    at this stage I will keep looking on the mainland home of the centaur – ferry trips to see a boat will add to the costs of the search. I will try to find one I can drive to – no paperwork this end either

  35. 11 September, 2015 at 2:00 amSpudmore says:

    A budget is a budget, but Catspaw’s engine looks well worth buying the finance director a pint and seeing how persuasive you can be. Like the layout too.

    Whatever the outcome I’m looking forward to your musings on the various virtues of your fleet.

  36. 11 September, 2015 at 7:22 amsimon leslie ellis says:

    Arhh… outboards in the cockpit! The SMELL the NOISE.. The prop permanently dragging in the water, going green and yucky within a season. No, it my view they belong on the stern out of the way. Put it bang in the middle low down on the stern. If you insist on putting big holes through your boat do it above the water line i.e. so you can pull the cord without hanging over the stern. You’re a sailor Dylan. Power should be for windless days or to give you that little bit extra push when reefed and close hauled. I’ve never heard a VHF PAN PAN where the frightened/embarrassed sailor complains of his cavitating outboard. Heard loads of the ‘it wont work’ sort. What would the Humber Yawl lot have thought of us 21st Century sailors?

  37. 11 September, 2015 at 8:11 amdylan winter says:

    you make a good point

    but…. it is wells for me

    spent enough time hanging over the stern

    noisy for sure – smelly – not smelt it

    D

  38. 11 September, 2015 at 8:12 amdylan winter says:

    budget extension is in the hands of swmbo – chief finance officer with a rod of iron

  39. 11 September, 2015 at 10:04 amsimon leslie ellis says:

    I guess four strokes trump two strokes in this department. The last time my VHF DSC screamed an alert off Fleetwood, the skipper complained that his engine was working but his boat unusually wouldn’t make against the tide. I had stark visions of all that polypropylene cord around the Slug’s prop!

  40. 12 September, 2015 at 6:47 pmJason says:

    Dylan – I looked at the Centaur in Gillingham…in fact I’m the one that commissioned the survey. I’ve now come to my senses and found a boat advertised at £8K that I have had a survey on. Looks good and I am moving forward on the purchase. My key learning is buy a boat that is regularly sailed. Take out a loan if you have to. I’d avoid a project. It’s around £6000 now for a new engine including installation. Find a Centaur that has been re-engined. My two pence!

    Jason (newbie boat buyer)

  41. 12 September, 2015 at 8:14 pmdylan winter says:

    she is a frightening prospect I agree

    engine – there is a way around that

    the rudder is the worst bit

    so I willpass on it

    as for taking out a loan

    my dad would not approve of borrowing money for a boat

    I am 59 – not going to start now

    D

  42. 16 September, 2015 at 5:17 pmgiles says:

    OK I haven’t owned a ‘B’ or a ‘C’, but the ‘A’ layout I have on Drift is bloody marvellous! I often sail with blokes who like a game of backgammon in the evenings and the dinette is just the thing. I have sat four around the table – three fairly slender and me – in some comfort, and if the chef – usually me – takes the forward starboard seat the cooking can pretty much be done from a sitting position.

    Above all the joy of the ‘A’ layout was reaffirmed last weekend when I dropped the hook round the back of Honeypot Island. I was able to have a leisurely dinner in the rain whilst looking out at the wading birds as the tide retreated. Sitting at that table with a view is worth fortunes to me.

    Cheers!

  43. 16 September, 2015 at 5:45 pmdylan winter says:

    I like the look of the dinette – and being able to look out and eat seems great… swmbo is lukewarm about the idea – besides this boat has a lot of issues – too many for me to take on

  44. 17 September, 2015 at 12:49 pmgiles says:

    You could point to out to the boss that the useful dinette also converts to a very large double at the drop of a hat, so that any unwanted nocturnal disturbances can be dealt with by a comfortable retreat from the forecabin…

    Looking at the details the only real issue with this one is the engine – a big issue I know, but all you need is a competent engine whisperer every year.

  45. 17 September, 2015 at 5:11 pmdylan winter says:

    pointing out to the boss – that suggests that minds can be changed after an opinion is formed

    D

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