Watkins 25 Information

awking · #1 (**permalink**) 01-30-2004

After considerable research while shopping for a shallow draft (learner) boat, I have ruled out most of the prefab trailerables (Hunter 260, Catalina 250, etc). The reason that I have ruled these out are the inherent problems with water ballast and swinging mechanisms. I am strongly considering a Watkins 25 with the shallow fixed keel. I like the roominess of the boat. I know that it will not sail well into the wind, but that is a negligible problem for me. Doeas anyone have any other positive or negative input regarding the Watkins 25?

cwhitney · #2 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009

Pray tell! I jus' bought a Watkins 25 this summer, (09). After re-placing the running rigging, & other work I plan on taking it out before end of the month, (October). Naturally I'm curious to see how she behaves...especially with the shalow draft & high freeboard. I can look at her & tell she's not fast. However you never really know until you take her out. Prior to this I understand she was out of the water frim '95 until 2009. The diesel runs well, [it's not the original]. Sails look great. Interior/exterior also. One burner on the stove has never been lit. Seals in the toilet look about gone. Anybody out there got any advice for me on this one...My previous craft for 20 years was a 16 ft. hobie... this is a big step up for me.

krozet · #3 (**permalink**) 10-21-2009

cwhitney - Welcome to Sailnet, but you just posted in a thread from 2004 where the Original Poster has only one post.

Maybe this will stir up some other Watkins owners for you.

SoC · #4 (**permalink**) 10-23-2009

awking,

Never sailed a Watkins 25, but back in the day when I had an old beat up O'Day 22 there was a nice newer Watkins 25 in the same yard. I would always talk with the owner about the boat as I thought it was a nice looking boat, well laid out. One day it came back to the yard with the main sheet traveller ripped out, apparently there was some issue with how they were installed, he got out in a blow and crash jibbed the boat ripping the thing out of the deck. Don't remember why it happened, might want to look into how the traveller is bolted down.

SoC

cwhitney · #5 (**permalink**) 10-23-2009

Well thanks for that tibbit of exciting news. One more thing to worry about but don't want to kill the fun in it.