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Centurion 32
Designer: Kim Holman  ·  Builder: Henri Wauquiez (Fra)  ·  First built: 1968
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About the Centurion 32

Designed by Kim Holman and built by the respected French yard Henri Wauquiez from 1968 to 1977, this classic fin-keeled sloop represents solid European craftsmanship from sailing's golden era. With 380 hulls produced over nearly a decade, the Centurion 32 earned a reputation as a capable coastal cruiser that could handle offshore passages when properly equipped. The boat's moderate proportions strike a thoughtful balance between comfort and performance. Her fin keel with rudder mounted on a skeg provides directional stability while maintaining reasonable maneuverability, making her well-suited for both experienced sailors and those developing their skills. The fiberglass construction was built to last, with many examples still actively sailing today. At just under 33 feet overall with a comfortable 9.75-foot beam, she offers adequate interior space for extended cruising while remaining manageable for a small crew. Her masthead sloop rig is straightforward and efficient, ideal for coastal exploration and moderate offshore work. The generous ballast-to-displacement ratio contributes to her seaworthy character, while the moderate sail area ensures she won't be overpowered in fresh conditions. This is a boat that rewards careful seamanship with reliable, predictable performance across a wide range of sailing conditions.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 32.75 ft / 9.98 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 24.00 ft / 7.32 m
Beam 9.75 ft / 2.97 m
Max Draft 5.82 ft / 1.77 m
Displacement 9,600.00 lb / 4,354 kg
Ballast 4,409.00 lb / 2,000 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 444.00 ft² / 41.25 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Kim Holman
Builder Henri Wauquiez (FRA)
First Built 1968
Last Built 1977
Number Built 380
Related Sailboats ["Fandango 33" · "Alo 33" · "Cal 33" · "Cc 33" · "Challenger 32"]
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
 180
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
 15.78
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
 45.93
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
 310.02
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
 26.83
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
 1.84
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 6.56 kn
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
 1.58
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 836.11 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 15.79
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 38.00 ft / 11.58 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 12.10 ft / 3.69 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 33.00 ft / 10.06 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 13.00 ft / 3.96 m
SA Fore 229.90 ft² / 21.36 m²
SA Main 214.50 ft² / 19.93 m²
SA Total (100%) 444.40 ft² / 41.29 m²
Est. Forestay Length 39.88 ft / 12.16 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Volvo
Engine Type Diesel
Fuel Capacity 13 gals / 49 L
Water Capacity 29 gals / 110 L
How It Compares

vs. Alo 33, Cal 33, Cc 33

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Centurion 32 ★
32.8 ft
Alo 33
32.7 ft
Cal 33
32.7 ft
Cc 33
32.9 ft
LWL
Centurion 32 ★
24.0 ft
Alo 33
24.6 ft
Cal 33
27.5 ft
Cc 33
26.4 ft
Beam
Centurion 32 ★
9.8 ft
Alo 33
10.2 ft
Cal 33
10.3 ft
Cc 33
10.5 ft
Displacement
Centurion 32 ★
9 lbs
Alo 33
10 lbs
Cal 33
10 lbs
Cc 33
9 lbs
Ballast
Centurion 32 ★
4 lbs
Alo 33
4 lbs
Cal 33
4 lbs
Cc 33
4 lbs
Sail Area
Centurion 32 ★
444 sq ft
Alo 33
—
Cal 33
536 sq ft
Cc 33
502 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Centurion 32 ★
180 s/nm
Alo 33
—
Cal 33
144 s/nm
Cc 33
—
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Centurion 32 ★
15.8
Alo 33
—
Cal 33
17.6
Cc 33
17.6
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Centurion 32 ★
45.9 %
Alo 33
38.8 %
Cal 33
—
Cc 33
41.6 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Centurion 32 ★
26.8
Alo 33
—
Cal 33
25.6
Cc 33
23.3
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Centurion 32 ★
1.84
Alo 33
—
Cal 33
1.87
Cc 33
1.97
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Centurion 32 ★
310
Alo 33
323
Cal 33
—
Cc 33
237
Hull Speed
Centurion 32 ★
6.6 kts
Alo 33
—
Cal 33
7.0 kts
Cc 33
6.9 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Centurion 32 ★
1.6
Alo 33
—
Cal 33
2.4
Cc 33
2.4
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