The Wauquiez Centurion 59 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The Wauquiez Centurion 59 sailboat was designed by British naval architect Ed Dubois and built by Wauquiez at their facility in Neuville-en-Ferrain, France.

Published Specification for the Wauquiez Centurion 59 Sailboat

Keel & Rudder Configuration: Fin keel with spade rudder
Hull Material: Fiberglass (GRP)
Length Overall: 18.03m (59'2")
Waterline Length: 14.30m (46'11")
Beam: 5.00m (16'5")
Draft: 2.70m (8'10")
Rig Type: Cutter rig
Displacement: 21,500kg (47,399lb)
Ballast: 7,500kg (16,534lb)
Designer: Ed Dubois
Builder: Wauquiez
Year First Built: 1987
Year Last Built: 1994
Number Built: 22

Published Design Ratios for the Wauquiez Centurion 59 Sailboat
The Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

The Wauquiez Centurion 59 has the following design ratios and theoretical sailing characteristics based on these metrics:

With a Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 20.7, the Centurion 59 falls into the category of relatively high-performance sailboats. This indicates that it has a good power-to-weight ratio, making it capable of good performance under sail. It suggests brisk sailing, especially in moderate to strong winds, and the boat should not feel underpowered.

A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 34.2 indicates that the boat has a moderate amount of ballast relative to its displacement. While it may not be as stiff as a boat with a Ballast/Displacement Ratio over 40, it should still offer reasonable stability and the ability to "stand up" to the wind. However, this ratio does not account for the placement or type of ballast, which can significantly impact the boat's overall stiffness. For instance, a boat with a deeper keel or a bulb keel can achieve higher stability even with a similar ratio.

The Displacement/Length Ratio of 211.9 places the Centurion 59 in the moderate displacement category. This indicates that the boat has a balanced design, with sufficient displacement to provide good seaworthiness and stability, without being overly heavy. It should sail well in a variety of conditions and be capable of making decent hull speed without needing excessive sail area.

With a Comfort Ratio of 39.4, the Centurion 59 is akin to a moderate bluewater cruising boat. Such a boat is designed to handle the motion and discomfort associated with open ocean sailing reasonably well, providing a good balance between performance and comfort. Although not as cushy as very heavy displacement boats, it will likely offer a satisfactory level of comfort for extended passages.

The Capsize Screening Formula value of 1.7 indicates that the Centurion 59 is well-suited for bluewater sailing. This low value suggests a reduced risk of capsize, making it a good option for ocean passages and rough seas.

But it must be remembered that these ratios are not absolute, for instance...

Ballast/Displacement Ratio: While a higher ratio suggests better stability, it is not the sole determinant of a boat's stiffnes. The exact location and design of the ballast are crucial. For example, low-hung ballast in a deep keel or a bulb at the keel's foot increases stability more effectively than a similar amount of ballast placed higher.

Comfort Ratio: Ted Brewer’s Comfort Ratio favours traditional heavy displacement boats with narrower beams and long overhangs. Contemporary lightweight, beamy cruisers with straight bows often fare poorly under this measure, despite potentially offering significant comfort and bluewater capability due to modern design improvements.

Overall, ratios provide a useful starting point for understanding a sailboat's theoretical performance and comfort characteristics, but real-world performance can be influenced by numerous factors, including hull shape, ballast placement, rig design, and sailing skills.

Here's how to calculate the KPIs yourself - without having to wrestle with the mathematics...

Other sailboats in the Wauquiez range include:

The Wauquiez Centurion 32

The Wauquiez Gladiateur 33

The Wauquiez Centurion 40

The Wauquiez 48

A Wauquiez Pilot Saloon 48-2 sailboat at anchor

The Wauquiez Pilot Saloon 48-2

This article was written with the assistance of Gemini, a large language model developed by Google. Gemini was used to gather information, summarize research findings, and provide suggestions for the content and structure of the article.