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UK yacht brokerage and boat sales
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The following information and photographs are
displayed as a service to anyone researching yacht types. HOWEVER THE PHOTOGRAPHS AND TEXT ARE COVERED BY COPYRIGHT, AND MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE PERMISSION OF YACHTSNET LTD. Details and photographs
are normally based on one specific yacht, but could be a compilation.
No reliance should be placed on other yachts of the same class being
identical. Where common variations exist, we have endeavoured
to indicate this in these archive details. |
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Colvic Watson 31' 6" |
Brief details |
Builder |
Various builders, on Colvic GRP hull/deck mouldings |
This Colvic Watson 31 is a traditional motor-sailer similar to a Fisher or Miller Fifer. These Colvic Watsons are motor sailers on the general hull lines of a North Sea fishing boat. They are heavy displacement and very seaworthy. |
LOA |
36' 0" |
Sail area |
approx 400 - 450 sq ft * |
LWL |
28' 3" |
Rig |
Sloop or ketch |
Beam |
10' 9" |
Cabins |
2 plus saloon |
Draught |
5' 2" |
Berths |
usually 6 |
Displacement |
16,300 lbs * |
Engine |
Inboard diesel |
Ballast |
6,000 lbs * |
BHP |
typically 30 - 75 |
Keel type |
Long keel |
* Displacement, ballast and sail area are approximations, based on some known design data
plus estimations of changes to the rig through fitting a bowsprit to extend the foretriangle. |
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The Colvic Watson 31 was designed by the G. L. Watson design office, probably the oldest yacht design company in the world. G. L. Watson were from the 1880s to the 1960s consultants to the RNLI on lifeboat designs, and it is said that the Colvic Watson hulls are derived from lifeboat hull designs. They also bear a considerable resemblance to traditional North Sea fishing boats.
The Colvic Watson hulls, in sizes ranging from 19 to 35 ft were moulded by Ardleigh Laminated Plastics, which later became Colvic Craft, a very prolific builders of GRP yachts and workboats. They sold hulls both to amateur builders, and to boatyards, and also moulded hulls for other manufacturers under contract. Colvic GRP hulls are in general of good quality, and the Watson models are especially heavily built.
The Colvic Watson 31 illustrated was fitted out by her first owner over a three year period from 1978-1982. The design could be fitted with various options aft of the wheelhouse, this yacht having a raised aft deck over a double berth aft cabin. She also has a substantial bowsprit - not shown on the Colvic plan at left. The Colvic
Watson design suggested 30 bhp engine power, many have much more than this though, this yacht has been re-engined with 65 bhp.
Like the expensive Fisher range of motorsailers, Colvic Watsons very often motor up wind with sail assistance, to both add some drive and to steady the motion. These boats will go to windward under sail alone, but it is not their primary purpose - that is all-weather seaworthiness with the helm warm and dry in the wheelhouse. The yacht shown here has both a large engine for pure motoring, plus a feathering prop to improve performance under sail. |
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