Joined
·
16 Posts
So I have been following this website for a while. Tons of useful information and helpful folks all centered around sailing and making it more fun. I have been specifically looking at all the Watkins 27 threads I can find here. However, I still have a few questions as a prospective W27 owner.
Let me first go into my plans for the W27 I will be obtaining;
I haven't sailed in a long time, (formally learning to sail in high school on little chrysler open tops with bilge keels; don't even remember the model, and not since). This will not only be my first boat I have owned, but my first large non open topper. I plan to fix a few things on her, then, taking her out in the local inlets and protected water until I get a feel for her. I guess I will go from there. She is located on Long island. She needs rub rail repair/ replacement; any thoughts, tips, or how to on that would be appreciated as well.
My ultimate goals are to sail down the East Coast of the US to Florida and maybe the Bahamas… again when the time comes will have this figured out. But would also like to eventually get into Blue Water Cruising. Lots of threads mentioned how incapable this specific vessel is at Blue Water Sailing.
So, with all that in mind I think this isn't a bad boat to start getting back into sailing, possibly living aboard on, and working on her up to my goals. Your thoughts are appreciated *hold the sugar coatings* and here are some of my specific questions;
1) I am looking at possibly a later model w27, any thoughts on upgrades, things to look out for, (this question has been beaten to to death, but it doesn't hurt to ask). any upgrade advice, experience, and or "how to" would all be appreciated. *specifically upgrades and modifications really, read the stuff to look out for such as saggy inner rot decking and all that*.
2) As a potential live aboard it looks like an OK choice, especially for someone getting into sailing after having not for so long; any handling thoughts and tips from those owners out there?
3) I noticed over and over in some of the threads that this was not a "blue Water" cruiser. I now know what that term means and have seen the "stepped mast" noted a few times as a reason for that. Are there any modifications that might be done to make this vessel blue water ready?
4) Ok this might be a shot in the dark, but any one who could specifically name a few CURRENT and KNOWN live aboard friendly marinas on the North East coast with ball park prices would be awesome. Specific areas; NJ, NY, PA.
Thanks to all of you who have posted and responded to threads on here, GREAT INFO!
and a thanks to all of you who give my post a look
Let me first go into my plans for the W27 I will be obtaining;
I haven't sailed in a long time, (formally learning to sail in high school on little chrysler open tops with bilge keels; don't even remember the model, and not since). This will not only be my first boat I have owned, but my first large non open topper. I plan to fix a few things on her, then, taking her out in the local inlets and protected water until I get a feel for her. I guess I will go from there. She is located on Long island. She needs rub rail repair/ replacement; any thoughts, tips, or how to on that would be appreciated as well.
My ultimate goals are to sail down the East Coast of the US to Florida and maybe the Bahamas… again when the time comes will have this figured out. But would also like to eventually get into Blue Water Cruising. Lots of threads mentioned how incapable this specific vessel is at Blue Water Sailing.
So, with all that in mind I think this isn't a bad boat to start getting back into sailing, possibly living aboard on, and working on her up to my goals. Your thoughts are appreciated *hold the sugar coatings* and here are some of my specific questions;
1) I am looking at possibly a later model w27, any thoughts on upgrades, things to look out for, (this question has been beaten to to death, but it doesn't hurt to ask). any upgrade advice, experience, and or "how to" would all be appreciated. *specifically upgrades and modifications really, read the stuff to look out for such as saggy inner rot decking and all that*.
2) As a potential live aboard it looks like an OK choice, especially for someone getting into sailing after having not for so long; any handling thoughts and tips from those owners out there?
3) I noticed over and over in some of the threads that this was not a "blue Water" cruiser. I now know what that term means and have seen the "stepped mast" noted a few times as a reason for that. Are there any modifications that might be done to make this vessel blue water ready?
4) Ok this might be a shot in the dark, but any one who could specifically name a few CURRENT and KNOWN live aboard friendly marinas on the North East coast with ball park prices would be awesome. Specific areas; NJ, NY, PA.
Thanks to all of you who have posted and responded to threads on here, GREAT INFO!
and a thanks to all of you who give my post a look