Watkins 27 Buyer's Guide
Shopping the used market for a Watkins 27 means choosing among roughly 500 fiberglass sloops drawn by Walter Scott and built beginning in 1977, with the vast majority finished as shoal-keel cruisers. The boat’s reputation as a better-value alternative to the Catalina 27, with stronger hardware and construction for the same money, still draws value-minded cruisers today.
Layouts on the Used Market
Nearly every W27 afloat carries the shoal fixed keel drawing 3 feet 8 inches, though a centerboard version exists with a 3-foot board-up draft and 7-foot board-down draft for deeper water capability. A 10-foot beam gives a wide saloon with long settees usable as berths, but the foredeck lacks an anchor locker and the cockpit is roomy yet shallow. In 1981 Watkins built seven pilothouse (W27P) versions for those wanting a protected helm, and Al G. Larson’s later Mk II brought an outward flange hull-to-deck joint, new keel, all opening portlights, and a revised interior—layouts worth prioritizing if found.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
A dodger is commonly fitted, making the shallow cockpit more usable in spray. Solar panels, a bimini, and an autopilot are often seen, supporting extended anchoring and reduced helm fatigue. Beyond those, most boats left the factory with a Yanmar diesel of 8, 12, or 22 horsepower, and a few had gas inboards or outboards; verifying the engine type and mounting should be part of any offer.
What to Inspect
Any boat built before 1979 should have its seam checked for shoebox leaks, while post-1979 boats with the outward flange joint avoid the problem by design. The deck and hatches use encapsulated plywood reinforcement, so test for delamination in way of hardware loads.
Availability and Buyer’s Takeaway
These boats are typically found in the United States. For a shopper, the shortlist is:
- Favor a post-1979 outward-flange hull or a Mk II for the improved joint and opening ports
- Confirm keel type—shoal fixed vs. centerboard—against intended cruising grounds
- Check the hull-to-deck seam on early boats for leak history
- Verify engine make and horsepower (Yanmar diesel vs. rare gas)
- Look for a dodger and, if desired, solar, bimini, and autopilot as common upgrades
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Watkins 27. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 4 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 25 | 2 | $4,999 | — |
| Feb 25 | 1 | $6,500 | +30.0% |
| May 25 | 1 | $7,500 | +15.4% |
| Aug 26 | 1 | $7,000 | -6.7% |
Where they're listed
Watkins 27 listings appear across 1 country. United States has the most listings with 1.
Country view
1 listings · 1 country| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $7,000 | 1 | 1 | 100.0% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
4 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Island Packet 27 | 26.5' | $ 29,500 | 40 | 16 |
| Moody 27 | 27.67' | $ 14,952 | 29 | 10 |
| Sabre Yachts 27 | 27' | $ 5,437 | 12 | 3 |
| Watkins 27You are here | — | $ 7,000 | 1 | 1 |