Gemini 105, PDQ 36, or Seawind 1000XL

[Mr B]

When my wind and speed instruments were working,
The last 3 weeks or so, My instruments stopped working,

Under 4 knots of wind, Dead in the water,

Over 5 knots of wind The Gemini started moving,

From 6 knots upwards, The Gemini was about 2 knots below the wind speed.

That was over an 11 week period of continous sailing,

I did have 14 knots of boat speed at one time,

[Therapy]

I thought you were going to get a tri so you could go 55mph to windward?

[tomfl]

Originally Posted by Therapy

I thought you were going to get a tri so you could go 55mph to windward?

I am exploring options. I really like the Fboats not just because they go 55mph to windward but because they are stupid fast sailing. Most of the time an Fboat is the fastest boat in the room. But then I got interested in the C37 (which is sorta a Cboat and not an Fboat) because it has lots more room.

I view it as a very fast cruiser for two that can be towed by a dinky in less than two feet of water with the boards and rudder lifted. Problem is the C37 is not nearly so easy to trailer as the C31 and smaller. If the boat stays in the water a 35-40 foot catamaran will have a lot more cruising ability than the C37 and one of the brokers I trust has a sweet Seawind.

Problem is the Seawind draws maybe 1'6" more than a C31 and it is a much bigger job to put it on the hard. Same for a Lagoon. The PDQ is better bang for the buck, and a Gemini is even better bang for the buck.

Bottom line is I have added several boats to my spread sheet assigning a value and weight to things like shallow draft, load capacity, and ability to go 55mph to windward. I try to put in things that are important to my actual use of the boat.

The ability to round the Horn, or even cross the Atlantic is not something I would probably ever do, but going 55mph to windward is.

[Therapy]

Yea.

It's tough.

[Angels of Rio]

I can add some experience to the Gemini discussion on performance and safety.. I have owned a Gemini 105Mc for 10 years, she was sailed across the Atlantic by the owner of Performance Cruising Tony Smith and his son. The video of the trip 45min can be seen on Utube, big seas and serious wind on more than one occasion. They hit in excess of 14 knots on a number of occasions and toped out 1t 18+. I have sailed her on the South coast of the UK, across Biscay, Atlantic coats of Portugal (November) and on to Gibraltar and never a worry. They are easy to sail and very comfortable for two. The one thing I would add is a diesel heater for the colder climates. The drive leg is great if you get something round the prop, which I have on a few occasions.

[webejammin]

We love our Gemini 105Mc and moorage is easy to fit in a 40 ft slip. it sails great too with the screecher w/track

[barnakiel]

Not sure if this has been posted:

gamme

Worth a look.

They seem back in the game. They older boats were nice too.

Cheers,
b.

[RatHatDiver]

Originally Posted by Factor

I should also be clear that when I discuss performance, its not necessarily about speed but its about the ability to point okay and to sail in light airs. I dont care too much if boats are quicker than me when I am doing 10 knots but I love being able to sail at 5 knots in 7 knots of Breeze, when most others are motoring.

Seawinds look like very nice boats. One thing that sucks for us guys in Southern California is we have to deal with a company called west coast multihulls for most of, if not all of anything related to Sea Wind. Sucks for us, because these guys are not fun to dael with. Maybe your new 950 will be an option for a guy like me. Since it can be shipped in 2 40' containers.

[Mr B]

There's not much comment from the Gemini owners on here, Considering nearly 1200 of them were built.

[blighhigh]

I have owned both a Gemini and a PDQ 36. The downside of the Gemini is poor quality of their fiberglass work. A friend of mine described them as kit boats being about 90% complete. Pay attention to the voids in the hull as well as the lack of double clamping of hoses. I did find it more relaxing around the cabin table than the PDQ. There is no comparison in quality compared to the PDQ. One major downside of the Gemini is the low bridge deck clearance. Sailing upwind you will be pounded by the wave action on the hull. In this circumstance it is better to anchor and wait for better weather or a wind shift. BH