Anyone living on a Gemini 105MC

[TQA]

Originally Posted by GCASKEW

In my case I think I can stand the chop for the times when it happens, when we are underway. We are looking to sail to location, spend a month or two there and then sail to the next location. We will be on the hook for 95% of our time and want something that is comfortable to live in while at anchor.

.

When you say 'stand the chop' maybe I was not clear. It is not just a case of pounding it is the lack of progress under sail. There will be days when you are fairly close to the wind if not hard on the wind and will be doing well to make 3 knots. Your leeway will be considerable.

If you are prepared to motor sail then things will not be so bad.

However like you say the Gemini will do well at anchor.

[mdi]

Gemini Owners Group Gemini_Cats : Gemini Catamarans

[Cal28]

keep coming back to see what's been posted ... as this is one boat I really would love to ultimately settle into ...

[mdi]

Originally Posted by Cal28

keep coming back to see what's been posted ... as this is one boat I really would love to ultimately settle into ...

I have belonged to the Gemini Group for years. I have found them to be honest and straight forward about the boats capabilities; reality based. The design of the hulls and various features have undergone changes since its inception just as you would find with any sailboat who's popularity has maintained its production; I believe more Gemini's have been built and sold than any other multihull. The designer and his son sailed the 105MC to Europe. Prior to the 105MC model the designer specifically stated the boat was not meant for open blue water sailing such as for RTW. There are 105MC's circumnavigating worldwide.

Regarding motorsailing and multihulls, this seems pretty consistent with limitations that monohulls find themselves in. Simply go to any monohull blog of cruisers and read how they got from point A to point B and ultimately you will read how they motored at various times due to the needs of the conditions or limitations of the boats ability to sail. To say you would not have a boat you needed to motorsail on at anytime would mean you wanted a powerboat, at least to me, unless you were willing to wait for the conditions needed to sail, which for one reason or another people seem to just as soon motorsail to get going to their destination.

Cal28 I think you would find that if you moved to a Gemini, most any model, you would increase your living area and comfort but I think if you tried to move more gear (weight of payload) onboard, from what you are carrying now on you boat you would hamper the Gemini's sea-keeping abilities. So in a nutshell you can go larger in a multihull but you cannot go heavier in payload without careful planning. This is the whole principal as to why monohulls were used early on to carry cargo, they have a higher payload for the waterline length.

A multihull I like as much as some early Gemini's is the Catalac 9M. With modification, removal, of the non structural port side forward partition, the forward stateroom rivals the Gemini. The boats have been all over the world and they have the option of twin diesels for those days you need to motorsail. You can compare the Catalac's and Gemini's here for free Multihull Dynamics, Inc. - Home You'll find there is not a lot of difference between the 9M and the Gemini 3000.

[TropicCat]

Originally Posted by mdi

I have belonged to the Gemini Group for years. .... You'll find there is not a lot of difference between the 9M and the Gemini 3000.

The Catalac has solid fiberglass hulls built double thick, the Gemini a thin cored hull.

Catalacs have a rigid keel.... Geminis use dagger boards.

The Catalac can be found with twin diesel engines (as you pointed out) the old Gemini has an outboard engine.

Catalacs are all over the world ... Gemini ... not so much.

Big differences between the boats. This is sort of like comparing a Land Rover to a Hyundai.

[chucklesR]

Originally Posted by TropicCat

The Catalac has solid fiberglass hulls built double thick, the Gemini a thin cored hull.

Catalacs have a rigid keel.... Geminis use dagger boards.

The Catalac can be found with twin diesel engines (as you pointed out) the old Gemini has an outboard engine.

Catalacs are all over the world ... Gemini ... not so much.

Big differences between the boats. This is sort of like comparing a Land Rover to a Hyundai.

Actually, factually incorrect, and somewhat biased as well.
Even then a modern Hyundai is a better ride than a 1960's designed and built Land Rover in my opinion, and the Catalac is certainly not a Land Rover.

There is no coring in the gemini hull - it's 3/8 thick fiberglass and that's it.
They use plywood pads under the mast step, cleats, etc.., other than that it's a air gap/inner liner, tabs and such - and that's all.
If the Catalac has a solid deck I'd hate to see the weight issues.

All 105MC's are diesel, WB30b's, with a drive leg (plenty of issues there).

Gemini's use centerboards, not dagger boards - there is both a structural and function difference. Either is better for performance than a fixed mini-keel.

Gemini's are indeed all over the world, including on their own hulls.

- former owner Hull # 987 - five years of ownership since new.

We just switched back to a center cockpit mono, primarily for financial reasons. Gemini's will do you fine in the Carib.

[TropicCat]

Originally Posted by chucklesR

Actually, factually incorrect, and somewhat biased as well.

Of course it's biased !!! With very good reason

And the comparison was not to a 105 Chuck. It was to a Gemini 3000. Have you ever seen one?

Did I ever tell you the story of the Gemini 3200 that was delivered sans any glass in the forward port hull? That boat is sitting 100 feet from me right now, still has her original owner who tells a fascinating story of when he confronted Tony Smith. Smith fixed the boat.... no charge.

[chucklesR]

I have seen and been aboard every model of Gemini.

The OP asked about 105mc's rather specifically, not the old models. Those models were designed rather like your Catalac as your quoted piece from mdi said.

I do see your point though

[GCASKEW]

Headed to Miami in a few weeks to look at the Gemini and the Tomcat catamarans. The new lagoons are just out of our reach.
We want to retire with no debt and house and boat paid for, I'd love the new lagoon but I don't want a loan so I can get one.

Any other new cat's that anyone knows of that are in the low 200k's that I am missing.

We are also going to look at new monohulls, but I really want a cat for the living at anchor.

[mdi]

Originally Posted by chucklesR

I have seen and been aboard every model of Gemini.

The OP asked about 105mc's rather specifically, not the old models. Those models were designed rather like your Catalac as your quoted piece from mdi said.

I do see your point though

I think I am the one who mucked this up a bit, I brought up the Gemini 3000 because the specifications and the performance and stability data are very similar for that boat and the Catalac 9M. So when I was saying there isn't much difference I was not clear in my meaning.