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Ativa · 26-07-2007, 14:14

I currently own and live aboard a 1985 Gemini. I took several months and rebuilt the boat top to bottom.. I have to admit that as a single handler the only issue I have is when I dock the boat in tight quarters.. In fact I will drop the hook and dingy in to find a few extra hands to ensure I do not damage the boat or anyone else's.
I have had a great time on my boat since it was put back in the water sailing it from St Petersburg all the way down to the Keys, out to the Dry Tortogas and then crossing the Gulf and resting in Isla Mujeres Mexico before my next stop in Belize.
The cat is amazingly quick and if you set the boat up right you have a lot of sail options to choose from.. (The spiniker moves the boat at outrageous speeds)
Like every cat you have to learn how to sail this boat, never over sheet the boat as the sails are great at working against each other. I passed a 105 Gem in the Keys like a rocket as they had the full main, and Genoa out simply stealing wind from each other. I had my main out and 1/3 of the Genoa and was ripping by.
I have been hard aground on the boat in sand and have not done any damage but had a good learning experience and now consider my draft much more that what it actually is to avoid this in the future.
The Hull slap is quit a bit un-nerving until you figure out that you have enough speed and can cut into the seas at a different angle to avoid this unless you are a rigit straight line sailor.
If you plan on doing any serious crossing the fuel holding capability needs to be boosted, water storage and the need for a good generator or several solar panels solves the problem for me.
Weight is also a huge factor on these boats, once overloaded the boat is simply terrifying in any condition, you have to think through your weight distribution.
Anchoring can be a lot of fun too as the boats "bob" much more than a mono Hull.
The very best thing you can do to make your boat comfortable underway in the heat is to have sun shades made for all of the windows... Thank goodness I did this.
The refrigerator is a bit of a pain and I switched out to a ac/dc with better insulation as the unit is in the hottest part of the boat..
I am very happy with my little boat and know that just like a mono hull they have their good points and bad points..
Blue water sailing.. Like an Ocean crossing will never be in the cards for me at this time.
Good luck.
Go to the yahoo group for Gemini and you will see the issues with the drive legs, the steering cables and a few other issues that need to be thought out (I am currently dealing with the cable issue)

26-07-2007, 14:14	#30
Ativa Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Los Angeles/St Petersburg Florida Boat: Gemini Cat Hull #100 Posts: 56	Little Gem I currently own and live aboard a 1985 Gemini. I took several months and rebuilt the boat top to bottom.. I have to admit that as a single handler the only issue I have is when I dock the boat in tight quarters.. In fact I will drop the hook and dingy in to find a few extra hands to ensure I do not damage the boat or anyone else's. I have had a great time on my boat since it was put back in the water sailing it from St Petersburg all the way down to the Keys, out to the Dry Tortogas and then crossing the Gulf and resting in Isla Mujeres Mexico before my next stop in Belize. The cat is amazingly quick and if you set the boat up right you have a lot of sail options to choose from.. (The spiniker moves the boat at outrageous speeds) Like every cat you have to learn how to sail this boat, never over sheet the boat as the sails are great at working against each other. I passed a 105 Gem in the Keys like a rocket as they had the full main, and Genoa out simply stealing wind from each other. I had my main out and 1/3 of the Genoa and was ripping by. I have been hard aground on the boat in sand and have not done any damage but had a good learning experience and now consider my draft much more that what it actually is to avoid this in the future. The Hull slap is quit a bit un-nerving until you figure out that you have enough speed and can cut into the seas at a different angle to avoid this unless you are a rigit straight line sailor. If you plan on doing any serious crossing the fuel holding capability needs to be boosted, water storage and the need for a good generator or several solar panels solves the problem for me. Weight is also a huge factor on these boats, once overloaded the boat is simply terrifying in any condition, you have to think through your weight distribution. Anchoring can be a lot of fun too as the boats "bob" much more than a mono Hull. The very best thing you can do to make your boat comfortable underway in the heat is to have sun shades made for all of the windows... Thank goodness I did this. The refrigerator is a bit of a pain and I switched out to a ac/dc with better insulation as the unit is in the hottest part of the boat.. I am very happy with my little boat and know that just like a mono hull they have their good points and bad points.. Blue water sailing.. Like an Ocean crossing will never be in the cards for me at this time. Good luck. Go to the yahoo group for Gemini and you will see the issues with the drive legs, the steering cables and a few other issues that need to be thought out (I am currently dealing with the cable issue)