Watkins Yachts and Marine was an American boat builder, based in Clearwater, Florida.
In 1977 the design was modified with a fiberglass interior and headliner and was re-designated as the Watkins 23 XL.
[4] Naval architect Walter Scott was enlisted to assist with the Watkins 27 design in 1977.
The boat became a quick commercial success, with 514 copies of the design built, making it the company's best seller.
[1][4] The company had been producing fewer than 50 boats per years, but the simultaneous building of three different models by 1977 required larger facilities and the company purchased an existing building that was renovated and improved for boat production.
[4] In the late 1970s the industry suffered from two effects, high interest rates and market saturation of a product that did not wear out.
He also hired an experienced fiberglass shop supervisor whom Robbins had worked with at Irwin Yachts.
[4] In 1982 the investor sold his share of the company to Larson and the Watkins 32 was introduced, replacing the 36 in the line.
The company changed its emphasis to power boats and sailboat production dropped to only one or two per month.