Liveaboard Gemini 105mc for 5 to 6 Months?

[videorov]

Is it possible and how do the crank-up centerboards hold up? I wonder if that cavity gets junk in it and how hard is that to clean when a new bottom paint is done?

Do the crank-up rudders give any trouble? I worry a little about the
center board cavity getting junk in it. When they bottom paint that
boat do they paint up into that cavity?

Lots of moving parts, sounds like, but I do like the idea to get into shallow water and even beach the boat. Sounds good to get back into some shallow spots away from the crowd and good for fishing. If I buy one I would use it for fishing a lot while cruising for 5 to 6 months in the winter here in Florida away from my Idaho property.

[Tropic Cat]

Originally Posted by videorov

Is it possible and how do the crank-up centerboards hold up? I wonder if that cavity gets junk in it ....

You are correct

Originally Posted by videorov

Do the crank-up rudders give any trouble?

depends on how often you take the boat out. They do wear out.

Originally Posted by videorov

....here in Florida away from my Idaho property.

Should be fine for occasional use but how old a Gemini will you be looking for?

[videorov]

I would be looking at boats 1 to 2 years old. Maybe new if I found a good demo with extras on it. I read where there use to be problems with blisters and some gelcoat cracks on older boats.
I hope the vacuum bagging has fixed that.

[talus]

Here are a couple of travelers that liveaboard a Gemini 105. I would think they now qualify as experts: Around the world on SLAPDASH

BTW - their blog is a hoot.

[Ocean Girl]

Lived and sailed aboard a Gemini 105 1988 (?)for 8 months, loved it, no blister problem that I can remember. I'd compare it to a catalina in quality, good all around boat.
Erika

[TikiCat]

You should ask Gemini owners about Geminis. Other people will probably have opinions but not facts. I own a 1993 Gemini 32. It's a fantastic boat - great for live aboard use. 5-6 months - no problem! I've got a friend who's lived on his for at least 5 years. The newer ones - 105s - are even nicer. To hold all the stuff a live-aboard needs, you may want to take one quarter berth out of commission and use it for a pantry/storage area. (Ours holds 4 big tubs of food & stuff, 2 tool boxes, 2 folding bikes and a Honda 2000 generator). The site you need to check out is the Gemini users group on Yahoo. I honestly think every current Gemini owner is on the group! Every possible question will be answered promptly by someone, and the search function is great for collecting all answers to any keyword. Btw - I've never had any problem with the centerboards, with junk in the trunks, and I've never heard of such an issue. There just isn't that much clearance to spare between the board and the trunk sides for junk (or even barnacles) to become an issue. The boards come up using a regular winch handle, and lock into place using a big nut to create friction. Works great. Never a problem.

[Therapy]

Originally Posted by videorov

I would be looking at boats 1 to 2 years old.

Have you looked at any yet?

[videorov]

Originally Posted by Therapy

Have you looked at any yet?

Yes I have and going to take a demo sail soon and see how the ride is.
When you do a bottom paint job do you have to paint up into
the trunk and if so how is that done? Does the board have to be taken
out for that?
Yes I will take a look over at the yahoo group.
Thanks

[videorov]

Originally Posted by talus

Here are a couple of travelers that liveaboard a Gemini 105. I would think they now qualify as experts: Around the world on SLAPDASH

BTW - their blog is a hoot.

I think they have been lucky they have not had a problem with some
of things they have done.

[TikiCat]

When the boat is hauled, I ask the yard to block it on double wooden timbers. This gets it high enough off the ground that I can lower the centerboards about half-way. For painting, you can then reach up inside the trunks to the length of a paintbrush. There may be a few barnacles on the boards, but - like normal - you just scrape them off as you prep for painting. I think the reason the boards and trunk stay so clean is that the constant raising and lowering kind of scrapes off anything that wants to grow on the boards. It's never been a problem for me.

[SunKing]

I've never had a problem either... Gemini 105m... Just a few barnacles up to maybe three inches in the trunk... I paint up as far as a brush reaches (a few inches)... Don't even lower the boards to paint them... There is no light up their so nothing lives there, my theory anyway... Never even heard of a board wearing out either... I have found three air pockets under the gelcoat through the years, all very small and all above the waterline... Never a blister but if your worried about that you can always barrier coat the hulls (which i did)... Never had a problem with the rudders either... Never heard of one wearing out or anything remotely close...

[Therapy]

Originally Posted by videorov

Yes I have and going to take a demo sail soon and see how the ride is.
When you do a bottom paint job do you have to paint up into
the trunk and if so how is that done? Does the board have to be taken
out for that?
Yes I will take a look over at the yahoo group.
Thanks

My understanding is that the boards are lowered and painting is done as far as one can reach up into the cassette. There seem to be few problems with the boards. All I have read with problems are from older ones, 12-15 years old. That is not bad. There were a few 2000 or 2001 boats (I think) with boards that delaminated for some reason or another. Not a bad record if one researches production cats.

Since you are talking about a newer boat then those issues are not issues for your consideration.

If you make a list of questions and call the factory I am sure they will be happy to help you out.

[c-kow]

What about electronic equipment?
because, as I understand it, they generally have an outboard motor rather than an inboard diesel, what is used as a generator?

[Therapy]

Originally Posted by c-kow

What about electronic equipment?
because, as I understand it, they generally have an outboard motor rather than an inboard diesel, what is used as a generator?

Visit the site.

An Overview of the Gemini 105Mc Cruising Catamaran

Revamped and new and not nearly as good as the old one IMO.

It has a diesel with an out-drive leg. An IO, inboard/outboard in other nomenclature.

Has an alternator.

[c-kow]

thanks
I believe I'd buy used if any
but I like the concept that the gemini adheres to.