Rehabilitating the Traditional Motorsailer

Dear Forum,
I'm new to this forum and I would like to take the opportunity to introduce our boat, a Colvic Watson 31.5 which we have owned since 2010 and to which, over time, we have made considerable modifications to improver her handling and sailing abilities.

Over the years, we have cruised her throughout Northern Europe, including the Baltic, UK, Holland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Shetland, Orkney, Scotland Ireland and the Northern Coasts of France.
She has proven herself to be a surprisingly fast sailer (with the mods that is), seaworthy and comfortable; a roomy cruiser, capable of taking on the often inclement climes and seas of the northern waters.

In June 2022, Practical Boat Owner magazine published an article I wrote on the modifications I made to turn a somewhat lackluster performing motorsailer into a proper sailing boat.
Subsequently, I made a more detailed Youtube video which includes sailing sequences to demonstrate the transformation of a type not exactly known for it's sailing abilities.


Colvic Watson 32, Rehabilitating the Traditional Motorsailer

The Watson 28, was similary improved in performance with some rig updates. I believe PBO also did a article on that model too. Good burdsome boats.
I see i responded to your video a year ago!

Hi Skaraborgcraft,
Thank you for your response, I would be very much interested if you still had access to that PBO article on the CW 28.

All said, the key to any improvements to the brand are the modifications to the remarkably unsophisticated steering end. Without these there is not much hope really for any significant gains by improving the rig or increasing SA, as the original rudder setup immediately stalls out at the slightest load.

Best, A.

I have found PBOs search function for back issues somewhat dire. I have been searching for the renovation articles i had published many years ago. If i find it, i will post it here.

skaraborgcraft said:

I have found PBOs search function for back issues somewhat dire. I have been searching for the renovation articles i had published many years ago. If i find it, i will post it here.

Click to expand...

Thank you, A.

Hi everyone,
Attached the PBO article, introducing our boat.
Enjoy, A.

Great video, A colvic watson was on my shortlist but I ended up going in another direction