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Characteristics - seaworthiness


22 May 2019 | Last update: 23 Dec 2020

As far as seaworthiness goes, Gemini’s construction is all about strength. Really, she is overbuilt, to give confidence when dealing with rough weather. The structural, oak ribs are set just 6 inches apart, and every second rib is double-thickness timber. As I’ve already mentioned, the canoe stern also gives a very strong structure.

She has twin forestays, so if one breaks, the other is backup. And the narrow hull and heavy lead keel mean she is exceptionally resistant to capsizing, and if it should ever happen, she would flip back up within seconds. Many modern boats, with their broad hulls and ballast keels of just a few hundred kilograms, are remarkably stable when upside down.

Most of Gemini is actually under the water. That 5 ½ tonne keel pulls her down. It means that down below, there is plenty of headroom – more than 6 feet. Nevertheless, she doesn’t have much freeboard – the expanse of hull above the water. This is a good thing. Freeboard acts like a sail, except you have no control over it. The wind force against the side of the boat can be a significant factor, pushing the boat down to leeward when you really want to stay up to windward. Compare that with modern boats. Their light weight and flat bottom means that in order to provide a comfortable amount of headroom inside, they have to build hulls with lots of freeboard. The combination of large freeboard and light weight makes for a boat that falls down to leeward rather easily.

Read on to find out how the design brief was fulfilled:

What our customers say

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Great dip in the Mediterranean

I booked this classic sailing trip with Dave for our honeymoon back in the summer 2015. I promised Dave to give him a 5-stars, comments and recommendations so here it is.
vspeang | Greater London, United Kingdom

Favorite thing I did in Barcelona

My Birthday wouldn't have been as special if not for this wonderful sail with David. The boat is so charming and beautiful. David is great, you can tell he loves what he does. Highly recommended. Thank you David for making my Birthday one of my most memorable.
JUSF | New york

Great way to see Barcelona

Fab way to get away from it all and see Barcelona from another perspective. Lovely historic boat. Kids are most welcome!
6Months062013 | Landsborough, Australia

You want to go sailing? Classic Sail Barcelona is the perfect provider!!

I wanted to surprise my fiancée for her birthday - the booking of Gemini with Skipper Dave was the perfect gift and an incredible experience. We took the Sunset Tour which was a picture perfect trip with blue sea, a romantic sunset and a refreshing swimming stop. Gemini is a beautiful and very well maintained sailing boat, with a nice history (built in 1947). Skipper Dave couldn't have been a nicer host with a friendly smile and loads of cool insights into sailing.
Colonius | Zurich, Switzerland

Great view of Barcelona

Had a great sail with Capt. Dave. He was very accommodating and we enjoyed the conversation as we sailed the coastline. The boat was very easy to find in the large marina and the reservation process was smooth. Thanks Dave!
PATRICK R | madison

The perfect escape

The morning that my mother and I spent with Dave on his beautiful sailboat was a few hours in heaven! My mother was visiting me on the cruise ship I work on, had already seen the famous sights of Barcelona, so I was searching for a different way to experience the city. We both have a special attachment to sailing, I always was admiring the sail boats in the harbor from my cruise ship deck, and from the reviews on Trip Advisor, Classic Sail Barcelona sounded perfect… and it was.
Linz625 | Montreal, Quebec, Canada

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