D E S I G N  &   H I S T O R Y

The W36 was first introduced in 1978 as a Portman 36 aft cockpit sloop, but after only one or two hulls were built, the business was merged with Watkins Yachts and became the W36. In 1981 the center cockpit model was added and although both models were built for a while production of the aft version soon ceased.  Production of the center cockpit version ceased with the 1986 model year.    Production was very low with less than 60 total boats of both types being built.  Hull # 57 was built in 1982 and hull # 58 was built in 1984.  The history page contains some interesting antidotal information on how this model came into being.

The boat is sloop rigged with a 4’6” draft and a skeg mounted rudder.   Standard items includes diesel engine, pressure water, shower, twelve opening ports, folding dining table and shore power.    Headroom is 6’3” and her mast height above DWL is 45 feet.

Both versions use the same interior layout with the owners stateroom aft, with head entrance both from stateroom and salon.  The galley is located in the passageway and includes a double sink, 12 volt refrigeration and 3 burner stove with oven. 

SPECIFICATIONS

 

LOA ……….……....36’0”

DWL ……….….…...29’0”

Beam……….……..10”6”

Draft……….…..…….4’6”

Disp. ………...17,000 lbs.

Ballast ……….6,000 lbs.

Sail Area …….526 sq. ft.

Fuel ……………...40 gal.

Water …………….85 gal.

Mast Height above  —   DWL ……………….....45’

Headroom …....6’3” Min

Designer ……..Watkins Brothers

W36C

SPECIFICATIONS

 

LOA ……….……....36’0”

DWL ……….….…...29’4”

Beam……….……..10”6”

Draft……….…..…….4’6”

Disp. ………...17,000 lbs.

Ballast ……….6,000 lbs.

Sail Area …….526 sq. ft.

Fuel ……………...40 gal.

Water …………….60 gal.

Mast Height above  —   DWL ……………….....45’

Designer……..Watkins Brothers

W36AC

 

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 stripe is also tinted 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 which bonds the toe rail, deck and hull together as one structural member.
There is an anchor well on the fore deck with 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 or center 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 made by Foss Foam, molded as two fiberglass halves, the hollow stainless steal rudder post welded to blades is placed inside and the assembly is filled with a high density foam.  The rudder is mounted to a full skeg  for strength.
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.  After 1984 the mast and boom were made by Isomat.
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.  Two dual speed winches control the genoa sheets.

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 headliner is made of soft perforated vinyl with teak trim.  The interior is finished with hand rubbed teak accents and the bulkheads and cabinetry is teak veneered plywood.  Early models had a carpeted cabin sole but later models were teak and holly veneered plywood. The interior layout is typical with a V-berth forward, the head is aft and connects to both the salon and the owners stateroom. The galley is aft in the passageway to the owners state room. The galley is equipped with refrigerator, 3 or 4 burner propane stove with eye level oven and double sink. The stairs removes to allow access to the engine on the center cockpit model or tilts up on the AC model.
There are ten opening ports (Gray) and two deck hatches, one in the main salon and one in the V berth.  The center cockpit model has 12 opening ports and three deck hatches, one in the rear stateroom, one in the main cabin and one in the V berth.

A U X I L A R Y

A 40 horse power Perkins diesel engine was standard equipment on the early models with a Perkins 50 horse power model #4108 on the later models..

E L E C T R I C A L   .S Y S T E M

Standard configuration unknown

Last updated 04/22/2007

 

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W A T K I N S   W 3 6 A C  /   W 3 6 C