Watkins 17
Watkins Yachts · designed by Watkins Yachts · 1975
centerboardBermuda rigUnited States
The Watkins 17 is a 17-foot bermuda rig sailboat designed by Watkins Yachts and built by Watkins Yachts, first launched in 1975.
General
| Builder | Watkins Yachts |
|---|---|
| Designer | Watkins Yachts |
| Years built | 1975 |
| Hull type | centerboard |
| Rig type | Bermuda rig |
| Construction | fiberglass |
| Origin | United States |
Dimensions
| LOA | 17.00 ft5.18 m |
|---|---|
| LWL | 15.83 ft4.82 m |
| Beam | 6.42 ft1.96 m |
| Draft (max) | 3.50 ft1.07 m |
| Displacement | 580 lb263 kg |
| Ballast | 90 lb41 kg |
| Sail Area | 145 ft²13.5 m² |
Design ratios
Computed from the specs above using the standard formulas. Try the sailboat calculators with your own numbers.
SA / Displacement 33.36 Performance / racer — powered up
Ballast / Displacement 15.5 % Higher = stiffer / more sail-carrying power
Displacement / Length 65 Ultralight
Comfort Ratio 4.7 Racing / light coastal
Capsize Screening 3.08 Better suited to coastal use (> 2.0)
Hull Speed 5.3 kn Theoretical max displacement speed
How these numbers are calculated
- SA / Displacement
SA ÷ (Disp ÷ 64)^(2/3)— Power-to-weight. < 16 under-canvassed, 16–20 cruiser, > 20 racer.- Ballast / Displacement
Ballast ÷ Disp × 100— Stability/stiffness. Higher carries sail better.- Displacement / Length
Disp(lt) ÷ (0.01 · LWL)³— < 100 ultralight, 100–200 light, 200–300 moderate, > 300 heavy.- Comfort Ratio (Brewer)
Disp ÷ (0.65 · (0.7·LWL + 0.3·LOA) · Beam^1.33)— Motion in a seaway. Higher = more comfortable offshore.- Capsize Screening
Beam ÷ (Disp ÷ 64)^(1/3)— ≤ 2.0 favored for offshore; > 2.0 better for coastal use.- Hull Speed
1.34 · √LWL— Theoretical max displacement speed in knots.
Estimated price
$8,000 typical range $6,500 – $9,500
⚠ Rough estimate only — not market data. Derived from a simple model based on length and hull age; actual asking prices vary widely with condition, equipment, engine hours and location.