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advocate777 · 21-09-2013, 16:41

Okay, I know I am gonna get alot of input and opinions....but that is what I want. So, here goes:
Question: If you wanted to keep a boat in the Chesapeake, but also wanted to keep it in the winter in S. Florida....and then to the Bahamas and the Caribbean (Virgin Islands) and maybe eventually down to Cuba and the Yucatan. But mostly in the Chesapeake and the Florida Keys....and,
you would be single-handing alot but would also have a spouse to sometimes crew; and you had to factor in insurance costs, marina costs and general maintenance; and you knew that because of your situation/age that this would be your only boat to get - and your goal was to pay it off so you could retire and only pay maintenance costs...and you were gonna live on this boat alone and/or with your spouse for maybe 3 months straight at a time.......and someone was willing to give you two boats of similar value (okay, just go with my hypothetical and don't get all nitpicky/intellectual on me like 'why do you have to only choose between those two boats...') and this was your opportunity and ONLY options....just saying...would you choose: (and 'neither' is not an option as a response...)
would you choose...if you had to pick:
1.) a 35 foot well-equipped Island Packet mono-hull, or a
2.) well equipped 34 foot Gemini Catamaran

which one would you pick and WHY?

Thanks for your specific 'answer the question and not give your opinion on other options' response-

Thanks-
Advocate777

colemj · 21-09-2013, 17:21

Is there a reason you have posted this in three different forums?

If they are free - take both, figure out which you like better and sell the other.

Mark

Fiveslide · 21-09-2013, 17:49

I would take the Island Packet. The bigger cats haven't swayed me to the multihull side, I doubt a Gemini would.

You talk of costs of ownership. I bet you would find they are very similar. Both single engine and that cat should fit in slips meant for a mono.

**boatman61** · 21-09-2013, 18:46

The Island Packet... would not have much faith in the Gemini and the slamming would do my head in..

SkiprJohn · 21-09-2013, 19:29

The IP because I like a monohull's motion at sea and feel safer in them especially when beating to weather.

I'm certain both boats would do for your intended purpose but my personal preference is for the IP.

Dr. Strangelove · 21-09-2013, 20:03

The IP - simple, I'm just not a fan of catamaran sailboats. Actual cats, yes, boats, no. Why? Similar to SkiprJohn above.

snort · 21-09-2013, 20:22

Just to be contrary and play devil's advocate: the Gemini.
With the light winds in the Chesapeake in the summer, you're going nowhere in the IP....and probably not very far in the Gemini either, but at least you'll be moving under sail. Well, maybe.

Dulcesuenos · 21-09-2013, 20:24

You will go twice as fast, have twice the accommodations, be twice as stable at anchor and offshore on anything other than beating to windward. Kind of a no brainer.....

CapnBrown · 22-09-2013, 09:49

I would go IP. Gemini is going to slam waves under the bridge in rising chop. The only thing to keep the bridge from slamming a lot is to keep the boat ridiculously light and when cruising that's nearly impossible. There are other catamaran choices that have higher bridges to avoid this but I see it's not an option for you. Island Packets are known for quality so it's a no brainier IMHO.

Dulcesuenos · 22-09-2013, 12:46

Op is going to live aboard. The gem will have 3 private staterooms with berths vs ip of 1. You will have 50% more space than the ip. You will have spend 15% of your time going somewhere. And 85% of your time being in a Marina or anchored. The cockpit on the gem is 75% larger as is the foredeck. Where would you rather be? The gem will sail faster and more stable especially down wind in nasty stuff. So what if the bridgedeck pounds going to windward. The hobby horsing on the ip will give you whiplash. And has much more draft Really its your preference. Most cat converts will tell you they converted for all the reasons i posted.