Gemini 105MC in shallow estuaries

[Sailorgerard]

Hi everyone, I am thinking of buying a Gemini and will be sailing mostly in sandy or muddy shallow estuaries with limited depth, involving a lot of drying out at low tide and bottom scraping. Do the lifting keels come up by themselves when touching the bottom?

[valhalla360]

If you are sailing forward, they will but try to avoid it if possible. It's still hard on them. Basically, you have to hit with enough force to overcome the friction hold down system.

If you are swinging on an anchor, if the boat is swinging to the side, it gets more iffy as the force will likely push them to the side not towards the back in the direction they are hinged.

Likewise, with the rudders...better to pull them up rather than count on them doing it automatically.

Think of it like insurance...you don't want to purposely drive into an oak tree but if you do, you will be glad to have the insurance.