The search results provide a good amount of information to construct the article.
Walter Scott's Philosophy: While a specific "design philosophy" for Walter Scott isn't explicitly stated beyond his work for Watkins and Irwin Yachts and being a certified naval architect, the builder's philosophy (Watkins Yachts) is clear: producing sturdy, fiberglass cruising sailboats that prioritized comfort and affordability, suitable for family cruising, with wide beams and relatively shallow drafts for comfort and stability.
Variations: The Watkins 27 had a rare pilot house version (W27P), with less than 10 built, and it was introduced in 1981. There was also a rare keel/centerboard version, which could have a draft from 3.0' up to 7.0' when the board was down. A shoal draft fixed keel version was also available.
Sailing Performance and Handling: Owners describe it as a "very good sailing boat," "not going to set any speed records but great fun boat". It's considered rugged and sturdy, capable of making careful offshore passages in selected weather, handling fine in strong winds, though not fast. The long keel provides good directional stability but makes it less maneuverable in tight spaces like harbors. It's generally considered a comfortable, affordable weekend cruiser, and not designed for blue water sailing.
Accommodations and Layout: It's noted for having a "huge interior for a 27" and being "probably the largest 27 ever built," making it comfortable for extended stays. Max headroom is 6.17 ft. I need to infer general layout based on typical cruising boats of the era, as specific detailed layouts aren't readily available in the snippets beyond mentioning V-berths in general discussions of boat interiors.
Owner's Perspectives:
- Strengths: Rugged, sturdy construction, spacious interior for its size, comfortable and affordable, good directional stability. Owners praise its ability to handle strong winds.
- Weaknesses/Common Issues: Not a fast boat. Some anecdotal mentions of engine unreliability (Yanmar diesel) or issues with glow plugs causing battery drain in older models. Original deck fittings can be an issue, requiring re-bedding is a common maintenance task. Hull blistering is mentioned as a concern, but without definitive answers.
I have enough information to proceed.