Gemini Purchase! Now what?

[danielgoldberg]

Originally Posted by bljones

dan, I am starting to get suspicious.
Why don't you invite your, ahem, "friend" to join, and ask questions himself?
At least that is what they told me at stdinfo.com

No, no, no, and nothing at all against the Geminis, but if I were going to pose as a cat owner like that, I'd pretend to be the friend of the owner of a Voyage 500 or something like that.

[topsailbeach]

My gemini carried a 2 meter dinghy and I dont think I would go any bigger than that on davits.

[sailingdog]

But then, none of us would believe you...

Originally Posted by danielgoldberg

No, no, no, and nothing at all against the Geminis, but if I were going to pose as a cat owner like that, I'd pretend to be the friend of the owner of a Voyage 500 or something like that.

[chucklesR]

Yep, I've got a 2007 Gemini 105Mc -

Dinghy's should not be carried on the davits for ocean sailing, period.
The standard davits are built by Kato, no arguing the quality, it's the concept.
A) it's 150 pounds where it shouldn't be, and B) it's dumb

Mine slams in Chesapeake chop unless I strap the hell out of it - which raises the pressure on the davits; which are only rated at 300 pounds. I also have the rear hammock seat which makes them more robust.

Slapdash broke her davits somewhere in the pacific carrying the dinghy. A simple weld job fixed it, a resolution to not carry the dinghy there fixed the problem.

[2Gringos]

So where do you carry your dink?

[MMR]

We carry the dink on the davits, being aware that it heavy loads our stern. For ocean/heavy weather sailing, we're looking to stow it on the foredeck somewhere. Still noodling that out.

But we've read too many stories of dinks on davits in heavy ocean sailing/storms snapping the davits on Geminis. Just don't want to go there. Remember, we're talking 40+ knots, 12-15ft+ seas, so that's alot of slamming and stress. And, seriously doubt we'll be sailing in those kinds of conditions.

Nevertheless, we try to be mindful of where the stress points on our boat are.

[2Gringos]

you're not likely to need the dink in those sea conditions, but you would want it available in an emergency.

Another approach would be to modify the davit attachment setup so that it can handle the acceleration and shock loads.

Or have you seen these dink towing things that let the bow trail in the water? The stern end of the dink is held up in the air, but the bow is in the water. that's an interesting approach, if it would work on a Gem.

Folding inflatables would store in an aft cabin. We've got a hobie inflatable tandem kayak that weighs about 60 lbs I am considering in the short term. And a foldboat would store several places on deck. I think part of the problem I am seeing, looking forward to my own application, is this propensity to use RIB's for dinks. Yeah, they are convenient little boats, but they have their drawbacks. Especially on a scaled down cruiser like a Gemini. I am starting to think we will be looking at alternatives to RIBs, although I know it likely we will be getting one as part of a used boat purchase package. Not a huge problem to sell one here (RIB) but what to replace it with....

These discussions are all very apropo to my situation. We have decided on a 105Mc for our own 'home boat' and will be buying one this year. finally! Meanwhile I am looking at all the Gemini related issues I can research.

[MMR]

2Gringos, I've been following your blog, so I'm aware of your Gem search - looking in Florida?

We're looking at the folding dinks, too. Also considering the inflatable bottom dinks. There are several options; no decision is critical for us now. We're still 2-4 yrs from heavy cruising, so we'll wait and watch and see what works.

We love the hobies like yours and lust after one. We have two kayaks we store on the foredeck now, but both are paddle-propelled!

I assume you're following s/v Footprint's blog, too? They're in the North Sea right now...

[2Gringos]

Yep, we are looking from South Florida to the Virgin Islands. Obviously, if we can find a boat further down the caribbean from here, say in Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, St. Barts etc. it would be a much easier, and faster trip home with it. Most of the action seems to be in Florida, though, so we are resigned to have to make that trip if we have to. We have never sailed the Exumas, so it would be an okay trip to make. Way cruiser friendly, and the islands and waters, sand bars, and reefs are all very familiar looking conditions to us.

But if we could find a boat in Puerto Rico or the Virgins, our trip back with it would be measured in days, instead of weeks.

We love the Hobie. It gets a lot of use. We are kinda looking at that new AI2 now, as well. I have a serious boat problem. Would own one of each if I could figure out how.

[ebs001]

danG, here is a link to a thread in which texawill was going to purchase a Gemini but it would not reach the proper speed under power. You might suggest to your friend that he read this thread and keep it in mind when he does his sea trial. http://www.sailnet.com/forums/boat-r...der-power.html