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I was active on here a couple years back when I wanted a little Venture 17. I sailed that for one Summer and decided that I really didn't like the boat. I have since become the manager/caretaker of Eagle Island State Historic Site in Casco Bay, ME. I am looking to take up sailing again now that I have every afternoon to practice and I live on an island. I have read all of the reviews and threads that I could find and I am still a little nervous about picking up a really cheap Watkins 27 that I found. My other option is a 22 Catalina with no outboard for $500 less.
Any advice or tips would be appreciated. Come visit me on Eagle Island!
I've rented a Watkins 27 down in Galveston Bay a couple of times. They sail reasonably well and seem pretty solid. I second the other response about going for the larger boat.
The Watkins is a well built boat. They're not built for racing but will give you alot of comforts for their size as compared to similar sized vessels. The boat is definitely worth considering if the boat is reasonably priced and she is in good shape. There is alot of information on the Watkins boats on the following link: Watkins Owners Home Page
What else have you looked at? There's bound to be more than 2 sailboats in your area for sale. Don't stop at just 2, even if you have to drive a little further.
The Watkins is $1500. It's being sold by someone that I know. There isn't a lot in my price range. I have looked at a bunch of boats: Catalina 22, O'Day 22, O'Day tempest 23, Coronado 25, and the Watkins 27. I am looking for a solid boat that is cheap, even if it needs some tinkering. I need a hobby out here on the island. It gets awfully lonely at times.
I looked into a Watkins for a friend. They are a lot of boat for their size, but the sailing area:displacement ratio is low, so they'll require a breeze to get moving.
I owned a Coronado 25. It's not a great light-air boat, but it'll be better than the Watkins in a light breeze. The cons are: it's 2 feet narrower than the Watkins, and shorter, so there's less space. The smaller volume is compounded by the poor use of space down below. There's a lot of wasted space.
I guess if there's usually a decent breeze at your island, and you're not looking to race, the Watkins is the better boat out of the choices you've listed.
I bought the Watkins 27 for $1,500. Came with a dinghy w/ a small Evinrude outboard. My next step is to sail it from Sebasco Harbor to Eagle Island, which is approximately 10 nautical miles. I have a few friends that are willing to crew with me, so hopefully things will go well. VHF, compass, 9.9 outboard, lights, solar panel, two stoves, bottle of Dos Equis, head, working water system, roller furler, nice cushions, two anchors(25lb plow and smaller Danforth), etc...
A tiller is better on a boat your size, trust me. I'm 30' and 8500lbs and I have a tiller. If I bought a Catalina 30, that's 10,000lbs. and I'd still have a tiller.
Well, it definitely needs some work. There are a few places on the deck that need new gelcoat and running lights don't work, but everything is pretty solid.
I'd take that boat for $1500. The only reason I bought a smaller boat was so I could trailer it.
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