1990 Wauquiez Centurion 32 vs 1975 Cal 29 — Comparison
1990 Wauquiez Centurion 32
1975 Cal 29
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1990 Wauquiez Centurion 32 | 1975 Cal 29 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Wauquiez | Cal |
| Year | 1990–1998 | 1975–1981 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Jean-Marie Finot | Bill Lapworth |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.15 m (10.3 ft) | 2.84 m (9.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,500 kg (9,921 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,800 kg (3,968 lbs) | 1,361 kg (3,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 42.0 m² (452 ft²) | 34.0 m² (366 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 13 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 65 L (17.2 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 120 L (31.7 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1990 Wauquiez Centurion 32 and 1975 Cal 29 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1990 Wauquiez Centurion 32 is a 1990s design by Wauquiez from France, while the 1975 Cal 29 is a 1970s offering from Cal from USA. The 1990 Wauquiez Centurion 32 was penned by Jean-Marie Finot. The 1975 Cal 29 was designed by Bill Lapworth.
In terms of size, the 1990 Wauquiez Centurion 32 measures 9.75m (32.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.15m, compared to the 1975 Cal 29 at 8.84m (29.0ft) with a 2.84m beam. The 1990 Wauquiez Centurion 32 is 0.91m longer than the 1975 Cal 29. The 1990 Wauquiez Centurion 32 displaces approximately 42% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1990 Wauquiez Centurion 32 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.66 and 42.0 m² of sail area. The 1975 Cal 29, with an SA/D of 15.99 and 34.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1975 Cal 29 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1990 Wauquiez Centurion 32 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The 1975 Cal 29 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1990 Wauquiez Centurion 32 and 42.9% for the 1975 Cal 29, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1990 Wauquiez Centurion 32 provides 5 berths in 2 cabins with 120L of water capacity and 65L of fuel. The 1975 Cal 29 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 76L water and 45L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1975 Cal 29 is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The 1975 Cal 29 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.