The Family was born as a result of a Mk III owner, David Trotter, and the original designer Chris Hammond, modifying the Mk III moulds. The differences were a wider beam, more freeboard, more comfort in the cabin, the starboard forward berth was removed and replaced by a larger functional galley, the heads became bigger even room for a shower, the rudders were under slung (enabling "sugar scoop" transoms to be used), and windows were installed over the quarter berths.