After owning several cruising yachts, Dominique wanted to enjoy himself, to sail on a beautiful boat. For him, a sailboat must be elegant, racy, fine... He has long been passionate about the Centurion 32 from the Wauquiez shipyard, and he set out to find a second-hand one.
In 2008, after selling his Hanse 315 (a modern sailboat, but with a slightly retro look), he found his Centurion. It will be the n°54 out of the yard in 1970.
A healthy hull for in-depth work
This opportunity is for sale in Arzal. The hull is sound. As for the rest, Dominique isn't looking. He has in mind to completely renovate it: " I compare the refit of my boat to a refurbishment of an old Jaguar. I wanted my boat to be as beautiful as possible. I had in mind: What would the Wauquiez shipyard do if it had to relaunch the Centurion series? How would they build it while keeping its soul, while modernizing it? "
A first shipyard for hull painting
Once purchased, the yacht is entrusted to the Chantier de l'Estuaire. The workers then begin work on the hull paint (which will be navy blue) and the deck repairs. Thus, the front opening hood is replaced and as the old model no longer exists, the whole support has to be redesigned and created. The side portholes, even if they are in good condition, are replaced by mirror polished stainless steel models. A new motor is also installed at this time.
As for the cockpit, it has been redesigned with modifications to the lockers and is finished with new teak. On deck, the deck hardware is modernized. The stainless steel handrails are new as well as the balcony which is also replaced.
What's next in the North
As Dominique is based in Lille (close to the Wauquiez shipyard), he had his Centurion repatriated by road to a shipyard closer to his home in Dunkirk. This time, the facilities were completely "deconstructed". Apart from the master bulkheads of the boat, all the woodwork on board was unloaded. As Dominique is an architect by profession, it is he who imagines and designs the new layout. He seeks to modernize the concept of the boat.
To validate his choices, he goes so far as to make the furniture "blank" to position them before ordering the final models..
Complete overhaul
The whole interior's going to be altered. Thus the coffin berth, also known as the navigator's berth dear to the units of the time, is enlarged. The chart table and galley remain in the same places, but are redesigned. A fridge and a microwave now have their place. Thanks to a smaller saloon table, it is now possible to install a double berth in the saloon.
The passageway to the forward cabin is also offset to port for ease of movement. Only the forward cabin remains more or less the same as the original plan. With so much work, this is more of a true reconstruction than a simple refit!
Even an air conditioning!
In terms of material, nothing resembles the original. The woodwork is light and the cushions are brightly coloured. Of course all the electricity has been redone and new electronics installed on board. In addition, Dominique, who sails in the Mediterranean, does not hesitate to install air conditioning in the boat. Of course, it only works on 220 V once connected to the quay. For it to be efficient, the linings are lined with insulation.
No modification of the sail plan
The sail plan remains the same. Dominique had the mast repainted in lacquered white all the same. The furling system was replaced, but the genoa was grading its large surface area. This young retiree often sails alone. He fitted his Centurion with an electric winch on the piano.
" I'm attracted to beautiful things." he explains to us, " On the sailboat side, I'm not attracted to looks that are too modern. Without going for classic yachts, which I like very much, but with their wooden hulls which require too much maintenance, I find the Centurion is in the exact middle between these two worlds. She is a remarkable construction that sails very well in the Mediterranean with her ability to sail upwind. What's more, her large cockpit is very nice here. "Yet Dominique is not a sailor:" I like to sail cleanly on a well-tuned sailboat. It's my happiness. "As for the detail, he goes so far as to ask for permission to affix a stainless steel W on both sides of his deckhouse, the same as the one used on the Deck Saloon ranges produced by the yard at the moment!
After 5 years of construction, in August 2013, the Centurion, renamed Bill & Boule II, is transported by road to the Mediterranean. Dominique can then enjoy it at leisure, retirement helping. And don't talk to him about budget! "I don't want to know how much my toy cost me. Probably too much... but I love it so much!"
