Mark V39

[SchoonerDreamin]

I was wondering what opinions you all thought about the Mark V 39? I think one day when I retire I will try the great loop cruise and perhaps check out the keys also, how do you all think this boat perform in these waters and how the design should handle in various sea states? I like it's lines and the fact it could be pulled across land if need be.......

http://markvdesigns.tripod.com/boatbuilding/id12.html

[Mark Van]

I am one of the few people who actually has experience with the boat, since there are only three in existence, as far as I know. One of them hasen't been launched yet.
The main drawback to the flat bottommed hull is in's pounding in head seas. It really isn't a boat that you want to go offshore in, and even the Great Lakes would make me a bit nervous. It could do the trip, but you would really have to pick the weather in the open water stretches.
I was thinking of a slightly different great loop cruise, truck the boat from Buffalo to Pittsburgh, and go down the Ohio River, avoiding the Great Lakes.

[SchoonerDreamin]

I was thinking the flat bottom would pound, I like your boat as well as Tom Lathrops Bluejacket 28, two different beasts I know, but they both seem to be good at what they were intended for, I am a little more attracted to Tom's boat as it can be trailered regularly(to the lake for the weekend, or the Chesapeake for the week)

[donald branscom]

I was wondering what opinions you all thought about the Mark V 39? I think one day when I retire I will try the great loop cruise and perhaps check out the keys also, how do you all think this boat perform in these waters and how the design should handle in various sea states? I like it's lines and the fact it could be pulled across land if need be.......

http://markvdesigns.tripod.com/boatbuilding/id12.html

The boat has a lot of windage! Not good. I would not leave the dock if winds get over 35 knots. With a traditional sharpie they have gone into the ocean on occasion.

[Tar Devil]

Hi, Mark. Howzit going? :D

Later,

Phil

[Tom Lathrop]

The boat has a lot of windage! Not good. I would not leave the dock if winds get over 35 knots. With a traditional sharpie they have gone into the ocean on occasion.

I don't know of anyone who leaves the dock in winds of 35 knots or more (or even close to that). CG rescue boats maybe.

Yes, the Mark V has a lot of windage but with a bow thruster it can be handled around docks in reasonable cross wind conditions and on open water in any wind you should be out in, the windage is no big problem.

[SchoonerDreamin]

Tom did you get my email about extending the cockpit on the Bj28 like you did when you made the Bj27?

[Jay Greer]

The lack of dead rise will make for unpleasant motion in a chopy sea way as well as a hull that will pound your fillings out! Ok in protected areas but not a boat for all waters.
JG

[Tom Lathrop]

Josh,

I just checked the files and I did not get such an email. If I read you correctly, that would make a pretty long package of up to 31 feet. Too long for my trailering tastes.

Jay,

Different people have differing opinions about which motion is less comfortable in a seaway. Some prefer the longer period rolling motion of a round hull and some prefer the quicker but less extensive motion of a hard chine hull. I dont think the bottom being flat makes the motion a lot different from a shallow V.

I expect "prefer" is not the best term since all of these motions can be less than pleasant. The flat bottom can be a pounding experience running into a head sea but is not significantly more uncomfortable than other shallow V hulls in waves from the side. In fact, driving the Mark V 39 quartering into waves is one way to cut down on the pounding. If you've got to go into the waves, slow down. The Mark V is not a fast boat anyhow.

The quicker motion of a hard chine hull can be unsettling but, for me, is far less likely to cause lunch to come back up than the deep rolls of round hulls.

[Mark Van]

The boat was designed for protected waters, it was not meant for open water cruising. The windage isn't a problem when underway, but docking in tight spaces in a breeze can get interesting. A bow thruster would help a lot, I haven't installed one yet.
I would never try to leave (or approach) a dock in 35 knot winds in any boat.

[donald branscom]

I don't know of anyone who leaves the dock in winds of 35 knots or more (or even close to that). CG rescue boats maybe.

Yes, the Mark V has a lot of windage but with a bow thruster it can be handled around docks in reasonable cross wind conditions and on open water in any wind you should be out in, the windage is no big problem.

Not in San Francisco bay. That is common on many days here.
Especially in the summer. I have sailed in 40 knot winds and white caps for hours at a time. It was 30 foot steel sharpie ketch sailing under jib and mizzen and outboard motor. If you are out in the ocean you don't get to have a choice about what you get.
The Coast guard deals with that ALL THE TIME.
If you have a good boat it will take care of you.

[donald branscom]

The boat was designed for protected waters, it was not meant for open water cruising. The windage isn't a problem when underway, but docking in tight spaces in a breeze can get interesting. A bow thruster would help a lot, I haven't installed one yet.
I would never try to leave (or approach) a dock in 35 knot winds in any boat.

Right on . A sailor picks his or her conditions, It is important just as knowing the limitations of your particular boat design.
But in Howard Chappelle's books he tells of a dramatic rescue of a boat crew in the ocean with a sharpie. I think it was American Small Sailing Craft.

[Mark Van]

If you do most of your boating in San Francisco Bay, I wouldn't reccommend the Mark V 39.

[Mark Van]

I just got an e-mail with pictures of the third Mark V 39 launched in Oquawka, Illinois.
http://markvdesigns.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/libertyjayne.jpg

[Tom Lathrop]

Congratulations Mark,

This one looks nice too.

[JimD]

Good to see folks building your design, Mark. Must be very gratifying for you.

[Robmill0605]

I just got an e-mail with pictures of the third Mark V 39 launched in Oquawka, Illinois.
http://markvdesigns.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/libertyjayne.jpg

Congratulations Mark.

I have the pleasure of knowing Mark and have been aboard his boat and her sistership.
My two cents;
It really is an amazing design. The visibility and layout are very comfortable. I lived aboard my 42' FBMY for 12 yrs year around and this boat is TWICE as comfortable.
Marks design is a perfect liveaboard/cruising boat. The boat can go into water so shallow that no other boats are near her when anchored.
(Mark had her off a sandbar and she would just happily sit on her bottom at low tide).
Which translates into QUIET anchorages and privacy.
The forward door into the salon and large opening glass cabin means air flows through the yacht and you catch every breeze. Visibility is superior when seated at the salon table. The stateroom has a double berth with a vista of the water while laying in bed. A desk and and actual head you don't have to hike your drawers down first to get into.
No engine room ( outboard) which is quiet with her stern door closed.
Would I take her out in a 35 knot wind?
No, but I'm not going out in a trawler either.
To top it all off, she is not a difficult boat to build.
I have a set of her plans, now I just need a 50' shop.

Mark, you can pay me later .

[Mark Van]

I'll buy you a beer next time I see you at Bonita Bills.

[erster]

Quietly, behind the scenes folks choose a design and build it, addressing their particular needs, and thats yet again another reason to claim that that there is no perfect boat or absolute way to build. Great looking project, indeed..

[Tar Devil]

Nice looking boat.

How many more are under construction, Mark?

Later,

Phil

[Mark Van]

I don't know of any, but I think that one is being built in Austrailia.

[Tar Devil]

Mark can't say this, but I can...

For most 39' boats, you'll pay more for study plans than you will for his construction plans.

Later,

Phil