I changed ISP's and got disconnected from the sailnet Irwin list,
resigning up for Irwin I see Sailnets added about 50% more groups than
they had as little as three weeks ago and Watkins Has been added there ,
To get on that list see the left column "Email list" to sign up at
http://www.sailnet.com/
Robert


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John welcome to the group!
I started the Watkins Owners Homepage
http://www.angelfire.com/fl/watkinssailboats
a little over a year ago.  This (egroup) net is only a few weeks old at
best.  I emailed sailnet last Nov or Dec (98) and never heard a thing/
not a yes/ not a no/ nuthin !(so don't hold your breath waiting on them
!) In Jan I tried to start an email group at Onelist but it wanted to
put a cookie that webtv wouldn't accept and it would't work for me but I
found Egroups free service just a couple of weeks ago and it's coming
along nicely + I think we are up to about 20 memebers..  As of yesterday
or the day before I made another settings  modification and now  this
list runs just like sailnets ( I also have an Irwin and subscribe to
sailnets Irwin list).
Though several of us have replaced the aluminum fuel tanks you are 
the first to mention foredeck delamination.  I regret installing a
windlass, (powerwinch brand) on my 27 because afterwards I found I
didn't need a windlass what I needed and didn't realize until after I
has installed it as a combo was that I needed a Bow roller so I wasn't
bent over the bowrail hoisting the anchor, had a much better posture for
anchor pulling when the roller was installed and found I rarely uised
the windlass. now 5 years later I find I have a little delam around the
footswitch that powers the windlass and wish I had  the foresight ony to
install a roller instead of the roller windlass combo.
If you review the guestbook at the homepage you will find some other 27
owners in you area (  I Think !)  CaptRobert
1978 Watkins 27 "Blown Away" Key West


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My wife and I stole (I mean bought cheaply) a 1980 Watkins '27 in June of 1998. 
It was in sailaway condition.  We hired a captain and sailed it from the
Annapolis area to Quantico, Virginia, Marine Corps Base, just south of DC.  We
were halfway through our hands-on sailing course at the time, so we felt we
needed adult supervision!  We then took it out for a week in August, sailed down
the Potomac River and across the Chesapeake to Tangier Island.  Anchored in St
Marys River on the way back, the prop shaft backed out of the coupling and we
had to have the shaft replaced.  Other than that, we haven't stopped sailing
long enough to improve the boat much.  We just added a small fan and a heavier
anchor, replaced the sliding locker doors with white plexiglas, fabricated a
stainless mount for the rusted-out one on the Marine VHF, and installed a new
compass.  We also had the rip in the nearly-new spinnaker repaired, although we
don't know how to use it yet!

We have discovered only one thing that is kind of disturbing.  The deck between
the forward hatch and forestay is somewhat "springy."  I suspect that this is
the dreaded delamination at work and will require some rework soon.  Any
comments on this?

Other than those little problems, we love Mariah.  She's out of the water this
winter at Quantico.  She definitely needs some prettying up before Spring, and
we plan to get on the bottom painting soon.  Love to hear from anyone, but
especially anyone who might have instruction manuals etc. for Watkins.

Oh, by the way, I requested that sailnet.com start a Watkins owners e-mail list.
That might be a useful place to go, as well, once it gets under way.

John

Original Article: http://www.egroups.com/list/watkins/?start=13
> Hello to all,
>
> I'm not a Watkins owner but I want to be.  Do I count?  :-)
>
> My SO and I have been looking into a Watkins 27.  She is a 1980 (if I
> recall correctly) and in need of TLC (time and lots of cash, ;-) ).  A
> friend said that Watkins was a "kit boat".  I guess that means that
> the owners could buy the supplies/plans and build the boat themselves.
> None of the info I've seen supports this.  Does anyone know the story?
>
> Also, because the boat is "older" I'm wondering about the wiring.
> Will that need to be replaced?  Judging by the state of disrepair she
> is in, I'm not sure the previous owner has done any upgrades. We'll
> definitely get a survey before we buy her but I'm trying to be
> realistic about the repairs she'll need.
>
> I love the idea of an owners email list.  Great job!
>
> Linae
>

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Original Article: http://www.egroups.com/list/watkins/?start=20
> Hi,
> Just bought a 23' a couple months ago and been trying to fix 'er up.
> Hopefully we can splash 'er in ,  in a few months.
> She's in tough shape but should be ok for gunking around on the FL west coast.
> Thanks for this site!
>
> Lee & Paula
> Hello Lee & Paula.  Many thanks for the info,...from your neighbors down the
street . Your kind assitance has afforded us the opportunity to communicate with
other folks, like all of us, with commom interests. Thanks for the new toy...
Jon & Ro

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Due to some confusion- mostly mine :-)
I found I was able to change some of the settings at Egroups, Now replys
should (?!) be automatic to the group, and I _think_ the "joining"
process is simplified, (you don't have to join to input a message to the
group) but to read the messages/answers you will need to goto to the
egroup page . Linea's post  got posted again because she hadn't joined
and  I tried to clear it from the moderators approval box,(now not
needed)and it got resent (had ya wondering Linea ?) hopefully with the
new settings all will run smoother,  Robert


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<36c195a5.a452067-@...> wrote:
Original Article: http://www.egroups.com/list/watkins/?start=24
> Hello to all,
>
> I'm not a Watkins owner but I want to be.  Do I count?  :-)
>
> My SO and I have been looking into a Watkins 27.  She is a 1980 (if I
> recall correctly) and in need of TLC (time and lots of cash, ;-) ).  A
> friend said that Watkins was a "kit boat".  I guess that means that
> the owners could buy the supplies/plans and build the boat. None of
> the info I've seen supports this.  Does anyone know the truth?
>
> Also, because the boat is "older" I'm wondering about the wiring.
> Will that need to be replaced?  Judging by the state of disrepair she
> is in, I'm not sure the previous owner has done any upgrades. We'll
> definitely get a survey before we buy her but I'm trying to be
> realistic about the repairs she'll need.
>
> I love the idea of an owners email list.  Great job!
>
> Linae
> --
> --------------------------------------------------------------
> | Linae Boehme 	        Department of Marine Science |
> | lboehme@...         University of South Florida |
> |             http://ompl.marine.usf.edu/~linae/             |
> --------------------------------------------------------------
> |           The sun goes slidin' 'cross the water            |
> |         Sailboats they go searchin' for the breeze         |
> |                        -J. Buffett-                        |
> --------------------------------------------------------------
>

Linae,

	 I don't know if you got my earlier reply but the Watkins is not a kit boat. I
notice that you are local. We have our '81 W27 at the Harborage if you'd like to
come over and look/discuss. Good luck!

Rick

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Hello to all,

I'm not a Watkins owner but I want to be.  Do I count?  :-)

My SO and I have been looking into a Watkins 27.  She is a 1980 (if I
recall correctly) and in need of TLC (time and lots of cash, ;-) ).  A
friend said that Watkins was a "kit boat".  I guess that means that
the owners could buy the supplies/plans and build the boat. None of
the info I've seen supports this.  Does anyone know the truth?

Also, because the boat is "older" I'm wondering about the wiring.
Will that need to be replaced?  Judging by the state of disrepair she
is in, I'm not sure the previous owner has done any upgrades. We'll
definitely get a survey before we buy her but I'm trying to be
realistic about the repairs she'll need.

I love the idea of an owners email list.  Great job!

Linae
--
--------------------------------------------------------------
| Linae Boehme 	        Department of Marine Science |
| lboehme@...         University of South Florida |
|             http://ompl.marine.usf.edu/~linae/             |
--------------------------------------------------------------
|           The sun goes slidin' 'cross the water            |
|         Sailboats they go searchin' for the breeze         |
|                        -J. Buffett-                        |
--------------------------------------------------------------

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Hello to all,

	 I have an '81 W27 Mk.II and have many projects in mind (a few of which might
actually happen) and I'd love to get any feedback from those with knowledge,
real or imagined.

1. Replace discolored galley counter top formica and replace pressure alcohol
stove with a non-pressurized Origo 4000. I'm tired of regrowing my eyebrows.

2. Mount spinnaker tack pad eye on anchor platform just forward of forestay.
Mount rope clutch on mast above genoa halyard winch so that winch/cleat can be
used for spinnaker halyard.

3. Move electrical panels from galley backsplash area which is hard to see and
access, to a hinged panel to be built into shelf behind that silly flip up chart
table (to be removed) just forward of the quarterberth.  Move batteries under
port quarterberth to make shorter run to relocated panels and starter on Yanmar.
Battery relocation also to help with starboard list.

	 If any one has comment I'd love to read 'em. By the way, for those in the Tampa
Bay vicinity, how about a rendevouz at Desoto Point sometime this Spring?

Rick

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Hello to all,

	 I have an '81 W27 Mk.II and have many projects in mind (a few of which might
actually happen) and I'd love to get any feedback from those with knowledge,
real or imagined.

1. Replace discolored galley counter top formica and replace pressure alcohol
stove with a non-pressurized Origo 4000. I'm tired of regrowing my eyebrows.

2. Mount spinnaker tack pad eye on anchor platform just forward of forestay.
Mount rope clutch on mast above genoa halyard winch so that winch/cleat can be
used for spinnaker halyard.

3. Move electrical panels from galley backsplash area which is hard to see and
access, to a hinged panel to be built into shelf behind that silly flip up chart
table (to be removed) just forward of the quarterberth.  Move batteries under
port quarterberth to make shorter run to relocated panels and starter on Yanmar.
Battery relocation also to help with starboard list.

	 If any one has comment I'd love to read 'em. By the way, for those in the Tampa
Bay vicinity, how about a rendevouz at Desoto Point sometime this Spring?

Rick

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Original Article: http://www.egroups.com/list/watkins/?start=18
> Original Article: http://www.egroups.com/list/watkins/?start=16
> >
> > Original Article: http://www.egroups.com/list/watkins/?start=12
> > > Hi,
> > > Sent a post early on about hot water heaters in a 25 but it went into a
black hole somehere.   We've had a 1985 on the Upper Chesapeake for five years
now and are wondering how many were built? Anyone know?
> > >
> > > Patrick
> > >
> > hi patrick,dont know how many were built, but with mine that makes at least
two. Just purchased a 1984 watkins 25 last summer.The previous owner kept all
the paper work and it looks like i got the seawolf model, im pleased with her
,the only repair i had to make was a loose propshaft stanchion
> >
> Well, that's four 25s I know of now.  We are looking albeit slowly, for a
Pilothouse boat around 30' or less, but really like the simplicity of the
Watkins.  I don't know if Watkins made a PH model but there is a 27 footer
advertised in the Norfolk area, perhaps a custom made pilot house  on a stock
boat.
>
> Patrick
>
Patrick, I don't know if you got my earlier reply but while researching loan
values for my recently purchased '81 W27 Mk. II there was also a listing in the
loan book for a W27 PH. I've not seen one but I imagine they exist and were
factory built.

Rick

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Hi,
Just bought a 23' a couple months ago and been trying to fix 'er up.
Hopefully we can splash 'er in ,  in a few months.
She's in tough shape but should be ok for gunking around on the FL west coast.
Thanks for this site!

Lee & Paula

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I have a 1988 Watkins Seawolf.  Bought her about 2 years ago.  How many wew
built? When did Watkins go out of business?  Anyone with any more info. please
post.
Thanks
Gary

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Original Article: http://www.egroups.com/list/watkins/?start=16
>
> Original Article: http://www.egroups.com/list/watkins/?start=12
> > Hi,
> > Sent a post early on about hot water heaters in a 25 but it went into a
black hole somehere.   We've had a 1985 on the Upper Chesapeake for five years
now and are wondering how many were built? Anyone know?
> >
> > Patrick
> >
> hi patrick,dont know how many were built, but with mine that makes at least
two. Just purchased a 1984 watkins 25 last summer.The previous owner kept all
the paper work and it looks like i got the seawolf model, im pleased with her
,the only repair i had to make was a loose propshaft stanchion
>
Well, that's four 25s I know of now.  We are looking albeit slowly, for a
Pilothouse boat around 30' or less, but really like the simplicity of the
Watkins.  I don't know if Watkins made a PH model but there is a 27 footer
advertised in the Norfolk area, perhaps a custom made pilot house  on a stock
boat.

Patrick

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Just a note to the list - saw the inquiry on water heaters for a W25.
Defender has several low cost units that start at 6 gal size or so.
Almost all are 110vt
but I believe they all have internal coils for routing of exhaust water.

I will look it up if it is of interest ( can scan ads in and email for
that matter..)
Mitch
( soon to have a W27)



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Original Article: http://www.egroups.com/list/watkins/?start=12
> Hi,
> Sent a post early on about hot water heaters in a 25 but it went into a black
hole somehere.   We've had a 1985 on the Upper Chesapeake for five years now and
are wondering how many were built? Anyone know?
>
> Patrick
>
hi patrick,dont know how many were built, but with mine that makes at least two.
Just purchased a 1984 watkins 25 last summer.The previous owner kept all the
paper work and it looks like i got the seawolf model, im pleased with her ,the
only repair i had to make was a loose propshaft stanchion

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Hi to All,
My wife Bobbie and I purchased a 27' 1981 Watkins in February of last year....
We absolutely love her!!

She hadn't has the best of care so we're busy getting things as right as we can
afford.
Adding two additional sets of sealed vented deep cycle batteries for a total of
six batteries (two each in parallel) and the addition of an air conditioner.
(It stays hot down here in the Houston area.)
The deck and cockpit were painted in what looks like house paint so we're going
to have to blast it all off and repaint.
Does anyone have any solution to leaking around the chainplates? Also the
stuffing box is starting to leak pretty bad and is it possible to re-pack
without taking the boat out of the water?

We also had the water pump rebuilt at a cost of $210.00!!!! I'll do it myself
next time!!!
Bye for now..

Bill & Bobbie Driver

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Linae,
    Thanks for trying the Email Group.  You are the first to join the
group since I updated the Watkins Owners Homepage this morning ! Seems
you had some trouble with your first stab at posting to the group, I may
need to specify on the homepage one needs to _join_ the group to send
messages to it, as egroups mailed me something about your attempt to
send a post not being a member etc..  This is a brand new free service I
found and I would like to again remind everyone that to post a reply to
the group  (at least on my system) I cannot just hit "reply" as that
response would ony be sent to the individual poster and that to reply to
the group   The "to" addy is watkins@egroups.com

AS for Watkins being a kit boat I have heard  manufacturers often will
supply partial or unfinished boats for owners to customize, but I have
never heard that about Watkins and it is not mentioned on either factory
brouchure that I have seen.   What Year Watkins are you looking at ?
have you browsed the guestbook entries at the homepage?, you will find
hints of things to examine closely,  the fuel tank is one thing several
27 owners have replaced and I have included  a link at the homepage on
"how to correctly install an aluminum fuel tank."  I may pull my new
(now 5 year old) fuel tank and reinstall it the way he suggests !  Other
things to look at might be the rudder post. my 1978  is _Solid_
Stainless  but there was a report of one having problems becuase it was
a SS Tube.
Robert
1978 Watkins 27  "Blown Away", Key West , Fl


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Hello to all,

I'm not a Watkins owner but I want to be.  Do I count?  :-)

My SO and I have been looking into a Watkins 27.  She is a 1980 (if I
recall correctly) and in need of TLC (time and lots of cash, ;-) ).  A
friend said that Watkins was a "kit boat".  I guess that means that
the owners could buy the supplies/plans and build the boat themselves.
None of the info I've seen supports this.  Does anyone know the story?

Also, because the boat is "older" I'm wondering about the wiring.
Will that need to be replaced?  Judging by the state of disrepair she
is in, I'm not sure the previous owner has done any upgrades. We'll
definitely get a survey before we buy her but I'm trying to be
realistic about the repairs she'll need.

I love the idea of an owners email list.  Great job!

Linae

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Hi,
Sent a post early on about hot water heaters in a 25 but it went into a black
hole somehere.   We've had a 1985 on the Upper Chesapeake for five years now and
are wondering how many were built? Anyone know?

Patrick

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Robert -
thanks
on the posting - used my address file all four times - one of which
worked.  You were correct - the plural was correct - I did not see the
omission.  Deleted my address card and re-entered it.  this should work.
Can't wait to get my 27 - do have to sell my O'Day 25 but it's amazing
that that does not seem to be the focal point at the moment.
the 27 I have a contract on is out on cape cod ( about 10 miles south of
provincetown.  prob going to have it trucked as I cannot spare the time
for the 250 trip and I want to go over this boat in detail before I do
something that long.. I can just see the engine quitting halfway through
the cape cod canal with the current doing 4 kts or coming thru hell's
gate in NYC!!
time will tell.
do you have any pictures of your boat that you can post?  I have some of
the one I didn't buy but they email well. have to have the other oll
developed soon.
fair winds and smooth seas
mitch

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Mitch, That post worked.  Changing a 13 to be fresh water cooled should
mean buying a different_ factory_ (I doubt theres an aftermarket
available but if you have found one let me know !)  exhaust manifold ( a
Heat Exchanger) type and _might_ mean relocating the water lift exhaust
.   Besides the bolt on
nature of the Heat exchanger you will also need to consider the
circulation of coolant in the now closed engine circulatory system.  My
(raw water cooled) yamnar 2 cyl engine manal shows a separate water pump
with two impellors, one for circulating fresh/coolant, one for the raw
water push through the heat exchanger, and then the  other simpler pump
with one impellor used on the raw water cooled engines
On my last cruise to the Bahamas  (1994) on my 27, I inquired about
buying a spare water pump , they sent me prices for both and   I
couldn't afford either ! :-)  I got some spare impellors and gaskets and
the cover plate screws and didn't have a problem with the pump during
that  73 day cruise.  However I think it was 1995 I started to get some
leakage out of the weephole.  I ordered the parts from a dealer and was
able to buy new bearings and seals and such and did the rebuild myself
using basic tools. (sandpaper, socket set, hammer, screwdriver, wrenchs,
grease, etc) The seals and bearings were Very affordable compared to a
complete spare pump and I would encourage others to add a "water pump
rebuild kit"  to their spare parts collection if going on a cruise where
access to parts could be inconvienient,  rebuilding the pump is a job
that could be done on board in a pinch !   Robert


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trying again
anyone out there converted a Yanmar 13 to freshwater?

Mitch

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ever trailered / have a trailer for the watkins 27?

just curuious. . .


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Robert - great idea. Hope I can be of help  and learn a few things about my
boat.

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I don't know everybodys names yet
but welcome to Larry, Ollie, Jim and Peter (steelboat), Mitch and Peter
K

I will try to update the home page tommorrow now that this is a
functioning system, Unlike Sailnets email system if you reply to a
message you will reply to the author not the group , to post to this
group/answer to the group we must use the watkins@egroups.com addy in
the "To:" section instead of just hitting "Reply"
Robert       Key West, FL
1978 Watkins 27      "Blown Away"


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mitch welcome to the new service
  pete, glad to have you aboard ,
test -- robert


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I got a Message saying their "system was too busy to use" so I waited and
entered the  mail invitation list again and got another message the "system was
too busy to use"
so I entered it again and it took - I did not intend to send the mail 3 times,
so that is something we should be aware of - if you get that message when you
make a post you do NOT need to reenter IT!

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email group now in effect


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