Designed by renowned British naval architect Ed Dubois and built by the respected French yard Henri Wauquiez, this 42-footer represents a compelling blend of performance and cruising capability from the mid-1980s. With only 52 hulls produced between 1985 and 1990, the Centurion 42 occupies an exclusive niche in the sailing world. The boat's fin keel and spade rudder configuration, combined with a masthead sloop rig carrying 886 square feet of sail area, delivers spirited performance while maintaining manageable handling characteristics. Her SA/Displacement ratio of 16.96 places her firmly in performance cruiser territory, offering enough power to satisfy sailors seeking speed without sacrificing comfort. The substantial 9,600-pound ballast and moderate comfort ratio of 33.29 suggest she's well-suited for offshore passages while remaining comfortable for extended cruising. Ed Dubois' design philosophy shines through in the boat's balanced proportions and seaworthy hull form. The fiberglass construction benefits from Wauquiez's reputation for solid build quality, making these boats sought-after on the used market. With a capsize screening formula of 1.84 and theoretical hull speed of 7.72 knots, the Centurion 42 appeals to sailors seeking a capable offshore cruiser with performance pedigree.
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What is the Centurion 42's sail area to displacement ratio?
The Centurion 42 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 16.96. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.
What is the Centurion 42's comfort ratio?
The Centurion 42 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 33.29. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.
Is the Centurion 42 safe for offshore sailing?
The Centurion 42 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 1.84. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.
What is the hull speed of the Centurion 42?
The theoretical hull speed of the Centurion 42 is 7.72 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.
How much does a Centurion 42 weigh?
The Centurion 42 has a displacement of 24,300.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 42.42 ft.
Who designed the Centurion 42?
The Centurion 42 was designed by Ed Dubois, first built in 1985.