Down to 4 Boats...Please Help Me Decide...

[Wild_At_Heart]

Originally Posted by Cloroxbottle

Gemini catamarans are coastal cruisers. They are not designed or built to stand up to extended open ocean crossings.

Over 4ft of freeboard. Solid fiberglass hull. Raise the centerboards and throw out a drogue if it gets bad enough.

https://youtu.be/rX2RtXaA_R4?feature=shared

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPWnw6qw7fI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYBblEPemo4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJLknTRepo8

[pianopraze]

That thread I linked shows several have gone blue water with Gemini.

My question remains, what is the difference between Gemini and Prouts?

Why is Prout considered blue water and not Gemini?

[massnspace]

So you started off looking for a bluewater ketch, and ended up buying a coastal catamaran?

Ummmmmmm…..

[pianopraze]

I think he made a good decision.

My first sailboat was Prout 35 and I loved it.

Easy & forgiving way to learn sailing. Can beach it and clean it. Only bad part for me was being forced to sell mine.

[TechnoMonkey]

Originally Posted by Wild_At_Heart

First time poster. I've narrowed my list to purchase a bluewater ketch gunkholer. Please help me weigh the pros and cons of each...

Your combined wisdom is appreciated.

My preference is a Formosa 41. I have a Mariner 40 (same Garden design) which is quite similar albeit not as pretty inside.

IMHO any ketch at 40+ with a full keel is the best for bluewater sailing. I know of no 40+ ketch that will not serve you well. It really comes down to condition and which one you like. The performance of each will be quite similar.

[TechnoMonkey]

Originally Posted by massnspace

So you started off looking for a bluewater ketch, and ended up buying a coastal catamaran?

Ummmmmmm…..

I didn't read all the comments yet, but definitely my sentiments exactly. Obviously, my initial comment was a waste of time.

[TechnoMonkey]

Originally Posted by pianopraze

That thread I linked shows several have gone blue water with Gemini.

Pearson 26 has been taken out to bluewater. If you've ever done real bluewater, was it in a Pearson 26? Would that be your choice?

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by pianopraze

That thread I linked shows several have gone blue water with Gemini.

My question remains, what is the difference between Gemini and Prouts?

Why is Prout considered blue water and not Gemini?

Well for a start Prout have a beam to waterline length ratio of 50% as opposed to the Gemini's roughly 45% or less.. 33-14ft as opposed to 30-15.. more built in stability.
But hey.. what do I know..

[pianopraze]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Well for a start Prout have a beam to waterline length ratio of 50% as opposed to the Gemini's roughly 45% or less.. 33-14ft as opposed to 30-15.. more built in stability.
But hey.. what do I know..

You know a lot.

Others have only commented that they are not built as strongly.

My Prout felt like a tank, never felt afraid.

Speaking of Formosa, I wanted to buy one. Had money in hand, drove from Kentucky to Miami… and the poor thing was all but destroyed. Pictures were no where near the reality. Engine falling apart. Chain plates twisted on some, others ripped out of the fiberglass completely. I literally cried. Instead I bought the Prout and was very happy with her.