W A T K I N S  W 2 9 / W 3 0

D E S I G N  &   H I S T O R Y

The W29 was first introduced in 1984.  In 1988 the rear transom was slightly changed from nearly vertical to a reverse style and the model designator changed to W30.  The W30 model continued in production until the factory closed.  The last known Watkins boat to be built by the factory was a W30 whose hull was molded in April of 1989 as a 1990 model.  Total production of the W29 & W30 was 88 boats.  At least 60 of the total were W29’s leaving less than 28 which could be W30’s.

 

The boat is sloop rigged with a 4’ draft and a skeg mounted rudder.  Her interior offers accommodations for five including a quarter berth with the option of a pull out double berth to port.  Standard items includes diesel engine, pressure water, shower, eight opening ports, bulkhead mounted dining table and shore power.  The galley is to starboard with a sink, stove, icebox and storage.  There is a hanging locker opposite of the head forward.  Headroom is 6’3” and her mast height above DWL is 40’1”.

Specifications

LOA ……….……..28’11”

LWL ……….….…...24’0”

Beam……….……..10”4”

Draft……….…..…….4’0”

Disp. ………....8,800 lbs.

Ballast ……….3,900 lbs.

Sail Area …….385 sq. ft.

Fuel ……………...20 gal.

Water …………….40 gal.

DWL …………….....40’1”

Designer ……..Watkins

 

H U L L  &   D E C K

The hull is molded as a single unit of a combination of polyester resin and fiberglass woven roving and multidirectional chopped strand fiber (MCSF). The keel is molded integrally with the hull and all ballast is contained inside. The deck and cockpit, like the hull, are molded as a single unit of a combination of polyester resin and fiberglass woven roving and MCSF. Plywood coring is incorporated between layers of fiberglass in the cabin top, deck, seat, and cockpit sole areas to give additional stiffness. The non-skid finish is molded into the deck. The exterior finish is pigmented gelcoat molded onto the fiberglass. The boot and sheer stripe are also gelcoat molded permanently into the hull.
The hull-to-deck joint is a 'flange' type, which during assembly, is liberally coated with a combination adhesive/sealant. The deck is then lowered onto the hull and fastened in place with stainless steel screws. The aluminum toe rail is then installed, bedded in a heavy layer of the same compound and secured in place with stainless steel through bolts.
There is a haws pipe feeding the anchor rode into the v-berth locker, there are teak grab rails on the cabin top and a large aft cockpit with good back rests and storage lockers. The companionway goes down to seat height, about 12" above the cockpit sole.

R U D D E R  &  S T E E R I N G

The rudder is molded as a single piece of solid high density foam with a protective skin of fiberglass and a gelcoat finish. The rudder post, molded integrally with the rudder, is solid stainless steel, which is welded to a steel blade in the interior of the rudder.
The Edson pedestal steering system operates with stainless steel cables rotating a quadrant bolted and keyed to the rudder post.

S P A R S  &  R I G G I N G

All spars (mast, boom, and spreaders) are extruded aluminum 6061-T6 alloy, with a protective coating an all external surfaces.  The masts has a single spreader, and booms with single reefing.
The standing rigging is made of stainless steel wire. The forestay attaches to the stem head fitting at the bow. This is fabricated of welded stainless steel backup plates and through bolted to the hull. All other stays and shrouds are attached to chainplates at the edge of the deck and are through bolted to the hull. Additional fiberglass reinforcement is molded into the hull in all chainplate areas.

The main sheet traveler is mounted on the cabin top.

I N T E R I O R

The interior is a molded fiberglass unit with bulkheads and cabinetry fastened to it with screws, bolts, and adhesives.  The interior molded assembly is bonded to the hull with woven roving and mat, that when completed, forms a single unit structure having great strength and rigidity.
The interior is finished with hand rubbed teak accents and the bulkheads and cabinetry is teak veneered plywood. The cabin sole is teak
& holly veneer plywood. The interior layout is typical with a V-berth forward, the head (to port) and lockers (starboard) divide it from the main salon area which has a fold-up dining table. The port side settee pulls out to create a double berth, the starboard is a single. Aft and to port is a quarter berth and to starboard is the galley which originally came with an icebox and either a gimbaled 2-burner alcohol or gas stove with oven. The electrical panel is located immediately under the companionway, and the stairs remove to allow access to the engine.
There are 8 opening ports (Gray) and one large deck hatch.

A U X I L A R Y

Yanmar diesel engines were standard equipment.   The 2GM20 (18hp) and 3GM30 (27hp) engines were used. The propeller shaft is made of 1" stainless steel and exits the hull through a stuffing box. It is supported at the inboard, or engine end, by the shaft coupling, and at the aft end by a cutless bearing in a shaft log that is a continuation of the keel. In Yanmar engines, the water pump draws water through the engine intake port, circulates it through the engine block, and then into the muffler. The water is mixed with the exhaust gases in the muffler and discharged overboard through the exhaust port.

E L E C T R I C A L . .S Y S T E M

The standard battery configuration consisted of two 12-volt batteries connected in parallel to allow single or combined use and charged from the stock 35 amp Hitachi alternator.