 “Enhydra” is a 26 foot Westerly Centaur ketch rig with bilge keels. We share this boat with my nephew Scott and his family. Enhydra was built in 1978. This is a very popular style boat in the UK as a lot of folks there are coastal sailors. The bilge keel design allows the boat to be moored in areas with a large tidal range and it sits upright after the tidewaters recede. With St. Andrews, NB being in a region that has some of the highest tides in the world, this boat with its bilge keels and shallow draft will be very well suited for us sailing on Passamaquoddy Bay and the Bay of Fundy. |
 The boat in this photo is not Enhydra – but it shows a good view of the Westerly Centaur twin bilge keel configuration – no jackstands or cradles required 🙂 The name “Enhydra” was given to her by previous owners and will continue on with the boat. Enhyrda basically means “sea otter” – translated from the Greek language. We will leave it be as it seems to suit a nimble boat that is comfortable in the water and on shore. There were almost 2,500 Westerly Centaurs (26′) built between 1969 and 1984. As far as we know less than two dozen were set up as ketch rigs – the vast majority were sloops but the boat interior remained the same regardless of the sail configuration. |
 The essential statistics for a 26′ Westerly Centaur are as follows:
– Number built: 2,444 (20+ ketch rig, all others sloop rig) |
 This boat has been very well cared for and maintained by the previous owner. The interior is quite large for a boat that is only 26′ in length.
There is generous headroom throughout. A comfortable v-berth in the foward cabin. In between the v-berth and galley is a private head to port and wet locker to starboard. The galley/settee area has lots of space and seating. The settee bench and table also converts to a berth, plus there are two more quarter berths aft of the galley (under the cockpit). |
 |