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Watkins 23 Xl
Designer: Helsen/Watkins  ·  Builder: Watkins Yachts Inc. (Usa)  ·  First built: 1973
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About the Watkins 23 Xl

Limited information exists about this particular Watkins sailboat model, making it something of an enigma in the sailing community. The designation "23 Xl" suggests a 23-foot vessel with extended length or enhanced features compared to a standard Watkins 23, though concrete details remain scarce in available documentation. Based on typical characteristics of boats in this size range from the era when Watkins produced sailboats, this model would likely have been designed for coastal cruising and day sailing applications. The 23-foot length places it in the small cruiser category, suitable for weekend adventures and learning the ropes of sailboat ownership without the complexity of larger vessels. Watkins boats from this period generally featured practical layouts optimized for their size, with basic cruising amenities that made them appealing to sailors seeking affordable entry into sailboat ownership. The scarcity of detailed specifications and limited production records suggests this may have been a specialized variant or limited production model. For prospective buyers researching this boat, the challenge lies in the limited documentation available, making thorough inspection and professional survey particularly important when evaluating any example that comes to market.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 23.00 ft / 7.01 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 19.80 ft / 6.04 m
Beam 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
Max Draft 6.00 ft / 1.83 m
Displacement 2,500.00 lb / 1,134 kg
Ballast 900.00 lb / 408 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Keel/Cbrd.
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Helsen/Watkins
Builder Watkins Yachts Inc. (USA)
First Built 1973
Last Built 1980
Number Built 400
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
276
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
36.0
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
143.78
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 3.39 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 1.50 ft / 0.46 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 9.00 ft / 2.74 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 200.00 ft² / 18.58 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) 15 gals / 57 L
How It Compares

vs. Crown 23, North American 23, Pearson 23, San Juan 23, Spirit 23

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Watkins 23 Xl ★
23.0 ft
Crown 23
23.0 ft
North American 23
23.0 ft
Pearson 23
23.0 ft
San Juan 23
23.0 ft
Spirit 23
23.0 ft
LWL
Watkins 23 Xl ★
19.8 ft
Crown 23
19.5 ft
North American 23
20.0 ft
Pearson 23
20.0 ft
San Juan 23
20.3 ft
Spirit 23
20.0 ft
Beam
Watkins 23 Xl ★
8.0 ft
Crown 23
7.7 ft
North American 23
7.9 ft
Pearson 23
8.0 ft
San Juan 23
8.0 ft
Spirit 23
7.9 ft
Displacement
Watkins 23 Xl ★
2 lbs
Crown 23
3 lbs
North American 23
2 lbs
Pearson 23
3 lbs
San Juan 23
2 lbs
Spirit 23
2 lbs
Ballast
Watkins 23 Xl ★
900 lbs
Crown 23
1 lbs
North American 23
800 lbs
Pearson 23
1 lbs
San Juan 23
960 lbs
Spirit 23
800 lbs
Sail Area
Watkins 23 Xl ★
Crown 23
North American 23
215 sq ft
Pearson 23
238 sq ft
San Juan 23
Spirit 23
215 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Watkins 23 Xl ★
276 s/nm
Crown 23
258 s/nm
North American 23
249 s/nm
Pearson 23
240 s/nm
San Juan 23
236 s/nm
Spirit 23
240 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Watkins 23 Xl ★
Crown 23
North American 23
17.4
Pearson 23
16.6
San Juan 23
Spirit 23
17.4
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Watkins 23 Xl ★
36.0 %
Crown 23
40.8 %
North American 23
28.6 %
Pearson 23
37.1 %
San Juan 23
35.6 %
Spirit 23
28.6 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Watkins 23 Xl ★
Crown 23
North American 23
13.2
Pearson 23
16.3
San Juan 23
Spirit 23
13.2
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Watkins 23 Xl ★
Crown 23
North American 23
2.25
Pearson 23
2.11
San Juan 23
Spirit 23
2.25
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Watkins 23 Xl ★
143
Crown 23
228
North American 23
156
Pearson 23
195
San Juan 23
143
Spirit 23
156
Hull Speed
Watkins 23 Xl ★
Crown 23
North American 23
6.0 kts
Pearson 23
6.0 kts
San Juan 23
Spirit 23
6.0 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Watkins 23 Xl ★
Crown 23
North American 23
3.3
Pearson 23
2.6
San Juan 23
Spirit 23
3.3
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