V bottom or Flat, which is better?

[Joe B.]

Hello folks,
found myself looking for a boat to build for Florida, the Keys, and the Bahamas and wound up looking at Parker's " New Cold Moulding" again. In particular, the Terrapin sharpie in 34'. The problem is, he has it in a V-bottom and the classic flat bottom sharpie I'm used to. Which direction to go in? Comments and opinions would be great.
Thanks all!

[JimD]

Which ever you like. Going to be spending a lot of time in very shallow water? If so, go for whichever version draws the least water, assuming there's a difference.

[Cec]

Agreed, and if you plan on getting out of sheltered areas and may go against some wave action, the V will allow you a better ride.

[Thorne]

Just build to the plan, man. Difference can only be a few inches, so why not?

[Paul Pless]

Just build to the plan, man.

I think those plans offer the option of doing either.

[RodB]

Its not a question of building the Terrapin flat or "v" hulled...just choose the right design.
The Terrapin Series is arc bottomed, not flat. Per Reuel's catalog... "The Terrapin Series utilizes our "quick molded" construction process. They are arc bottomed with flaring topsides, but the arcs are flatter than those of the Exuma Hulls, and the chines are harder. ...these boats are even more simple and economical to build than the EXUMAS. ...The Terrapins are only slightly less seakindly than the Exumas: the Bahamas are easily within their grasp".

Draft for the Terrapin 34 is 2 feet 3 inches and displacement is 12,896 lbs. Shes not as easy to build as say an alternative choice (for shallow waters) the 36' Egret Sharpie [7500 lbs displacement, flat bottom]...with a draft of 1' 6". Per Reuel on the 36' Egret Sharpie:
"Sharpie lifeboat based on Commodore Ralph Munroe's 28' Egret. This vessel is intended for coastal and island-hopping use, and represents the most sea-worthy sharpie type. This model has 5'9" headroom..."

Reuel comments on the 39 foot Egret: "This vessel is intended for rough-water use...This represents the smallest Egret model to have full standing headroom throughout, and is suitable for long range cruising".

Reuel recommended the Egret 36' Sharpie to me when I was seriously interested in the Exuma series (Presto type) designs. He said you just couldn't get more boat for the money and effort. You could actually consider the 39.5 ft Snowy Egret Sharpie (Reuel really liked this one) , which has a draft of 1' 9", displacement of 10,500 lbs and the plans offers three different sail rigs. This 39 footer would still be less displacement than the arc bottomed Terrapin, but offer very shallow draft, and easier construction...and standing headroom.

You have to decide just how shallow you want to go in a general sense... I have fished the southern Keys and sailed to the Bahamas once... so not a lot to base a recommendation on...but Reuel seemed to think the 36 or 39 foot Egret Sharpie's were lots of bang for the buck to cruise the area you specify. If you like the looks of the sharpies then its hard to rationalize spending more money and effort to build the Terrapin or Exuma Series.
Good luck,

RB

[JimD]

I can't find Parker's website :confused: Anyone got a link?

[johnw]

V or arc bottom allow you to carry more displacement without a huge increase in resistance. That's the reason for designing it that way even though it's harder to build.

[RodB]

Don't forget the Norwalk Island sharpies are available in several sizes and offer the moderate "V" hull and a bit more modern aesthetics. I think the Egret sharpie is more appealing than the NIS, but the NIS offer max room in these types of vessels.

Parker url.... www.parker-marine.com

772-468-0060 Most likey current number.
207-596-7256

RB

[JimD]

Don't forget the Norwalk Island sharpies are available in several sizes and offer the moderate "V" hull and a bit more modern aesthetics. I think the Egret sharpie is more appealing than the NIS, but the NIS offer max room in these types of vessels.

Parker url.... www.parker-marine.com (http://www.parker-marine.com)

772-468-0060 Most likey current number.
207-596-7256

RB

All I'm getting is 'You are not authorized to view this page'? Is Mr Parker mad at me?

[RodB]

Yea, me too. Maybe the local service is down right now.

RB

[Joe B.]

Okay, I think I remember the Snowy Egret from an article in Boatbuilder of a long time back, I think.... I am having the same problem getting on Parker's website that the rest of you are having. I find myself intrigued, as I built an Egret from plans I based on research and pictures, so building a bigger version is strangely confortable for me. Anybody have more info on these big " super " Egrets?

[Paul Pless]

Yeah I'd like to know more about these larger egrets too.

[RodB]

All I know is Parker told me of one guy who built the larger version and that he "loved" it. From my conversation with him, I definietly got the impression that these larger Egrets have even more of the capabilities of the original 28 footer and have more head room etc....plus very shallow draft....and easy to build. All in all, if I wasn't fixated on a different kind of craft, I would have considered the 36 or 39 footers great choices.

RB

[cjp63]

I last heard from Mr. Parker 7/5/06 he contacted me about a month after I made inquiries about some plans. This may give you an idea where he is: "I am in the Maine woods building a house this summer and cannot answer a phone--don't even have one here. I come in to my "skeleton" office in Rockland to answer emails once a week."
Apparently he goes a little longer than a week between office appearances. If your okay without support and don't mind waiting.....and waiting have at it.
It seems his web site is down. Someone in here has his brokerage phone number. I didn't get any where with that though.

chris

[Boatmik]

Build half the boat with a flat bottom and the other half with the Vee bottom.

Take the boat sailing and find out which actually works the best for you.

OK - that's a little bit tongue in cheek - but I've used both and find they have slightly different advantages and disadantages - none of them critical enough (for me) to make me choose one over the other.

A slight vee to the bottom and the boat will slap when the vee becomes parallel to the water.

The flat bottom will slap a bit more when the flat is parallel to the water when the boat is upright.

A small amount of vee won't stop the boat from slapping at anchor.

A narrower bow panel will reduce slapping of both types.

Apart from this I don't think there is much difference in the dynamic handling of the boat. Perhaps if the stern is wide like some more conventional hullshapes like ocean racers etc a bit of vee can give more directional stability when the stern starts being floated up by following seas thus depressing the bow and make it threaten to steer the boat where IT wants rather than follow what the rudder is doing.

But both Parker and Kirby's boats are moderate enough to not have a problem in that regard.

Little problem with most sharpies though because the stern width and overall beam is moderate.

Best Regards
Boatmik

[JimD]

Parker Marine website is back up:

Terrapin 34:

http://www.parker-marine.com/terrapin341.jpg

http://www.parker-marine.com/terrapin342.JPG

Others:

http://www.parker-marine.com/sh391.jpg

http://www.parker-marine.com/sh38m1.jpg

http://www.parker-marine.com/sh38m2.jpg

[Bill Perkins]

Generalizations I've read are that the V bottom will tend to be more seaworthy , point higher , and sail better in light air than flat bottoms .