39' Bailey Bridgedeck Cruiser (1968) - CENTAURUS

Centaurus is a bridgedeck 42 foot loa launch with a beam of 13.2 feet, carvel hulled in 1.25 inch Kauri planks on 1.5 x 1.75 Australian hardwood ribs (laminated in 3 strips) with a 4 x 3 inch stringer at waterline and a smaller stringer at the belting line. Decks are 1.25 inch Totara glassed over. Construction scantlings are heavily oversized. The engine bearers are 4 x 10 inch Australian Jarrah running the whole length of the saloon. They took 4 men to lift in place when built. She weighs 17 tons. Coamings are teak. Interior is mostly oak.

She was built in 1968 by Bailey and Sons and was the last new build by that well known Auckland boatbuilding company. In the 7 years my wife and I have owned Centaurus the whole hull has been stripped back to bare wood and thanks to the wonderful properties of the native Kauri timber there is no rot and the hull does not leak a bit.

Power is now a 175hp John Deere 6.8 litre 6 cylinder diesel installed new in 2023 running through a 2.5:1 ZF gearbox driving a 28 x 23 inch propeller. We added a 175 amp Balmar alternator for house battery charging to the motor which our talented engineer arranged within the single continous belt. One of the photos also show the meticulously crafted engine mounts he created. She cruises at 8 – 9 knots at 1700 rpm. All systems have been upgraded in the last 6 years. She is now rewired, has solar charging, hydraulic steering, Jet thruster bow and stern thrusters, new shaft and bearing, new 800 liter fuel tanks and 700 liter water tanks, 400 Amp Hr Lithium house battery system, and diesel heater. The galley has an LPG 4 burner stove, grill, and oven, hot and cold running water and 12 volt fridge/freezer. the heads include a proper dedicated shower, vanity and electrascan toilet. There is only one separate cabin forward, but the main saloon is 14 feet long with 4 berths.

We use Centaurus mainly for cruising in the Hauraki Gulf with occasional Trips further North. A prior owner sailed her right round the North Island and down the East coast of the South island as far as Akaroa. Another owner sailed her from Auckland down the East coast of the North Island to Marlborough Sounds.