Chass Dave

[David Meehan]

I’m presently purchasing a Gemini 32 catamaran and have been doing a little homework I read that when going up wind on a port tack you would lower the windward dagger board which would be starboard when you tack to starboard would you lift starboard lower port dagger board or just leave both down I’m unclear so if anyone could stear me in the right direction I would appreciate it

[Don C L]

Welcome aboard Dave! Can't help you out with the daggerboard question, and it does seem a bit counterintuitive to me, but I hope to see some Gemini folks chime in.

[Bean Counter]

Quote from Gemini manual:
"The Gemini 105Mc has asymmetric foam cored fi-berglass centerboards as opposed to the older wooden boards. These boards yield remarkable per-formance and are incredibly strong. Unfortunately, for best performance using asymmetric center-boards, only the leeward board should be used. This necessitates continuously changing the board when tacking"
http://www.gemcats.net/static/Gemini_Owners_Manual_105Mc.pdf

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Dave.

“... each boat is almost unique in the way its daggerboards need or don’t need to be utilized. But in general, you’ll find that in moderate winds, putting the boards down is like putting your boat in gear. And if you’re looking for fast forward, your leeward daggerboard will almost certainly be down and you may even have both boards on the catamaran down to add to the lateral resistance...”
From ➥ https://www.bwsailing.com/mq/daggerboards/

See also ➥ http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...use-21794.html

[Davy J]

For us, it depends on the situation. If we are going to windward, the leeward board is lowered. If we need to tack, but, will only be on that tack for a short time, we just leave the same board down. If we will be on the new tack for a long distance, the leeward board gets lowered and the now windward board gets raised.

Btw, you will really feel a difference in the helm when a board gets lowered. Also, don't bother to tack in light winds without a board down. With a board down, the boat tacks like it's on rails.