Cruising Log for S/V Freedom - a Gemini 105 - Jim and Deb Faughn
Feedback from Readers - Thanks for the comments.
Our email is jfaughn "at" socket.net - Get rid of the "at" and put in @ (helps keep us from getting junk mail)
All Logs - This takes you to the list of all of our logs
Feb 29, 08
Tom,
Thanks for the email and also, thanks for following our adventures. You are right, who knows what will happen and if they are interested in something, great. If not, that's fine too.
We will be back up in the Chesapeake again in a couple of years so hopefully we will be able to meet up then. Good luck on your shopping for another boat. I would think that right now it is a buyers market with the problems in the economy so it is actually good you sold yours quickly.
Take care and thanks again for following our adventures.
Jim
----- Original Message -----
Hi Jim,
Hope you are doing well. I wished we had the opportunity to have met you guys
when you were in the Chesapeake Bay, alas we were off in "Sin" City
for a work confrence. Any way the rason I am droping you a line is to let you
know I have given your name and web log to some people at "Passagemaker"
Magazine. What will become of it? I have no idea but who knows.
Right now we are boatless. We sold our hunter 37.5 in anticipation of getting
a Gem. The Hunter sold in 3 weeks and caught us unprepared and business is keeping
me in the office. Can't wait till we can slow down just enough to go Gem shoping.
Good for me the kind of "Gem" that Karen wants is one that floats.
I am such a lucky guy.
It is nice to watch a fellow pilot and sailor have such a good time.
If I can ever be of help let me know.
Tom St John
Feb 14, 08
Ray, When you are on the mapping, you want to click on the hybrid button at
the top when you get to the Microsoft site to see a better map which still isn't
as good a Google's but Microsoft site is easier to use from the boat.
If you look at the chart (page 49 in the Explorer Charts) you will see Stocking
Island. We are at 23 30.85 and 75 44.7
We are about a half mile from the Chat and Chill along with Volleyball beach.
By the way, you can see a great picture of it on the web update today.
I got my antenna from getmarinewifi.com and I use an external wifi adapter that
is 200 mw. I already had the adapter when I ordered their antenna. It works
great. I just learned they now have a 500 mw external adapter. I would use that
starting over and they have a package for it all for about $250 (expensive but
it works.) I will probably order a new adapter when we get back to the states
just so I can have the extra power at some of the anchorages.
Let me know if there you have more questions.
Jim
Hi Jim your site is working, of course the map that comes up isn't that good.
I tried to find sand dollar beach on my chart and had no luck. Is it off stocking
island? Also what are you using for a wi fi ant.
Ray
Feb 13, 08
Ray,
First, thanks for the comments. I try to keep the blog up to date and truly
enjoy the feedback from people like you and Pattie. It motivates me to keep
it up.
I have a place on our homepage called Where is Freedom. When you click on this,
it will take you to a second page and then you have another click which takes
you to the Microsoft Live Mapping site. On that site, it shows every place we
have ever anchored along with a few comments. In addition, if you click on the
place for a picture, it takes you directly to that page on our website.
They have been changing the Microsoft Live site a bit so I would be very interested
in how it works for you.
To answer your question, people come and go every day. When a front is in the
area people move to one shore or the other which is known as the Georgetown
shuffle. We, Gemini people, have a great advantage with our draft. I'm anchored
off of Sand Dollar beach and in about 5 foot of water at low tide. Nobody is
as close as we are. We've spent the entire time anchored right here and we haven't
had too many wave slaps. Bottom line is, don't worry about when you might arrive
unless you want to be anchored in one of the holes and I'm not sure why you
would. The fact that everyone has their head pumping in there means no swimming.
Over here, we get washed out all the time so we swim off the boat.
Hope this helps and I'll look forward to hearing from you about the Microsoft
Live thing.
Jim
Hi Jim and Deb
Let me begin by saying we love reading your blog. Pattie and I bought a 2000
Gem last August and are planning on heading south this Sept. I'm curious about
where your anchored in George Town. Lat and Lon would help. Also can you get
into any of the preferred holes arriving as late in the season as you did.
Thanks Ray S/V Whisper
Feb 9, 08
Hello! Caught up with your travels through the 6th yesterday. Great
pictures, great narrative. Thanks.
We are headed to near Syracuse to ski a few days with my son-in-law's parents.
Had temperatures in the mid 70's here a few days ago. Couldn't enjoy much as
I was grounded recovering from a cold. Looking forward to April.
Bernie
Hi guys,
First congrats on actually getting out there and doing it.My wife Donna &
I sailed our Gemini 3000 down to Providenciales, TCI last April.
I have enjoyed seeing some of the places we missed on your blog. If you are
coming to the Tucks & Caicos feel free to e-mail or call.
Mark Kruse
Feb 6, 08
Glyn,
The only thing we have noticed is that the boat is quieter under sail and at
anchor. However, when the 1 1/2 to 2 footers come in, they hit the floor under
the table and I haven't figured that one out yet. I'm still thinking about it
though.
Good luck with the project and I'm hoping you will be as happy when sleeping as we are. It does get rid of that aggravating slap you hear when the waves are 6 inches and less.
Jim
Hi, I have followed your odyssey over the months with interest. I am just about to start work on your wave slap eliminator (boat lift booked for next week) and wondered whether you had noticed any difference in your sailing performance as a result of your modification.
Thanks for your time.
Glyn Shaw
Gemini 979 - 'Yolimba'
Jan 18, 08
Thanks for the info. I'm not sure where we will be exactly in
April, but you will know from our website. Perhaps we will meet up!
Take care and hopefully we will be getting to the Exuma islands by Sunday when
the 30 knot winds are supposed to come in.
Jim
Hey.. Keeping up with your log to the Exumas. You have already hit one of our
favorite places.. The Green Parrot! We took our old boat there several times
(hurricane Hole) and Kathy from the Parrot always treated us great.
Say hello to the beaches at Hawksbill when you get there,...
We are planning on April for our Exumas cruise...
Have fun!
Brian Craig
Southern Breeze
#784
Jan 15, 08 - We had a question about routes and charts.
Stuart,I went across the bank, turned south and then into Andros.
We used the Explorer Charts both paper and electronic in our Garmin. They have
proved so far to be right on. I hope that helps.
Jim
Jim and Deb,
Have a wonderful trip. I've wanted to visit Andros for years - but never could
find a chart that would take me through the narrows - and never felt like sailing
all the way around to get to the west side. Do you know a way "through"
- and is there a chart available.
Capt. Stuart Bell
Shearwater, #379 Gemini 3400
Jan 14 - Route questions around the Andros
Michael,
We were going to be traveling at night so that meant that we would not be able
to use eyeball navigation. That pretty much mandated that we would be using
the standard routes. They proved to be very good and also, there was more depth
than charted.
We haven't gotten too far off the beaten path yet, I think that time is coming over the next few months. Thanks for asking however.
Jim
Dear Jim
Notice that you are going to the top of Andros, any thought of going through
the bights? Know of anyone that has?I'm looking to buy this year and follow
you down. and I've always dreamed of that area, pipe creek, and the other special
Gem only places. comments?
Michael Feldman
Dec 14, 07 - We have more votes again and the first "Cut It" vote came in.
Jim, cut it. You will enjoy Georgetown a lot better than having
to deal with long messy hair. Cut it as short as you can.
Cheers and good luck going across. I love reading your web story.
Julio Menendez
ex Gemini owner, but will be in the market again next year. Maybe will see you
on the water.
I agree about the messy part however, this is the most feedback
we've had in a week. If nothing else, it has given me an idea that I must involve
the people who read the site. I'm trying to think up the next participation
thing. Any ideas? Jim
Jim and Deb
Hair length should be a personal thing, so my vote is, you decide. :)
However, keep this in mind: in the movie. Dead Calm, there is a scene at
the beginning and again at the end where Sam Neil washes Nicole Kidman's
hair on deck. It is very sensual, to which both Sue and I can attest, as we've
washed each other's hair. After a couple days on the boat it is almost a
necessity, and it feels sooo goood! :) So, you decide if you want some
hair to be washed ot not!
You Decide
Bill & Sue
Happy Ours, #819
If you want to fly a hull, fly a Hobie, not a home.-C Ritenour
If it was to me to decide from this description, I'd be keeping it. However,
there is always the hair problem but I have to experience this at least once
don't you think? Jim
Carl in LA checking in…
You already know the answer…
As the man grows older – the hair gets shorter
BTW – best of luck on the cruise… your logs are a lot of fun to
read
Carl
PS – I bought a sail boat to keep me entertained till retirement time – see attached!
Carl is the first "cut it" vote and I have to tell you that the hair is starting to drive me and especially Deb nuts. Regardless, we are going with the Vote until Christmas. Jim
Dec 12, 07 - More votes -
You call that hair? You've got a better chance of braiding a peach.
Good lord man, if you're gonna make a statement, shout it. Never cut it again.
Choose not to conform. Don't look back.
Ldet it grow, let it grow, let it grow.
Unless it gets to hot then cut that shit off
Your buddy Bill s/v Veranda
Peach fuzz? You're talking to me about peach fuzz? Jim
----------------
KEEP IT! Are you kidding? You have choice. You live on a boat! Viva La
Tresses!
Landlocked and painfully employed,
Your Egomaniac Friend,
Mike
Great, oh great one!
You just want a long haired hippie playing guitar to counteract the fairly short, i.e. none, hair that you have. Looking forward to the 2008 reunion tour.
Jim
-----------------------
Keep it. Dave, (on a Gemini) #526
------------------------
KEEP IT. After all, I'm not down there doing dishes using up alllllllll the water on board so there is plenty of extra water. What's a 1/4 gallon of water per inch, to maintain that MOP - compared to the gazillion of gallons you put on board that I let go right back out and down the drain washing dishes? Oh, MOP? I mean, that new "dropped out" dew you got going there - Now you're starting to look like you been out on a sailboat for over a year.
Actually, this may not be an even exchange but water for electricity or water
for time or 1/4 gallon per inch for razors ? ? ? ? Hmmmmmm, I'd like to up the
annie a little. . . . . a dollar bet, and get another vote going . . . . . .
. Who, you or Bill, can come back with the longest BEARD? Now that's a true
Sailor Mon - a middle aged man with a scraggly ole beard and a pony tail. So,
deal or no
deal?
Jim, I must say I never ever saw you looking like that. hahahha Thanks for the pictures - really helped on the voting process. I know you're in Florida but no hanging chads, alright.
Love ya,
Cousin Julie
Sorry Julie, no beard. I'm really surprised that I still have the hair but I'll keep it up if the votes come in.
-------------------------------
Dec 11, 07 - The votes are coming in as to whether I cut or keep the hair.
I vote to KEEP IT! Rather sexy! Didn't Captain Ron have long hair?
Linda
-----------------------------
Jim, I don't normally vote on things other than the President, B U T
Matthew McConaughey was voted the number one hot looking MAN in America. See
the attached picture to see where I would vote on your hair to be.
You can also be the #1 Man in the Bahamas if you look like Matthew McConaughey.
Ask Deb ... see what you think .... Jerry
Nov 25, 07
Hi Jim,
It's good to know they stand behind their product. I called Interlux and they
said that they had discontinued Micron Optima, which had been their top of the
line, highest rated paint. I decided to go with Micron 66 instead, and hopefully
that will do well too.
I just downloaded your transmission replacement page, thanks for the great write
up about that, there's a lot of useful information there.
Malik
Response -
Malik, I have been impressed with Interlux's response and I have to say that we haven't had anything grow on the bottom of the hull since we put on the new paint in August. This is a VERY pleasant change. Also, thanks for the kind words. I appreciate your comments. Let me know if you have other questions.
Jim
Nov 25, 07 - Hi Jim & Deb...
I'm a new owner (as of last March) of a Gemini 3000 Classic. Somebody turned
me on to the Gemini_Cats Yahoo Group and it was there that somebody referenced
your website...which I have been reading. A couple of weeks ago somebody else
posted about a young Canadian couple who sold everything last August, flew to
Ft Myers giving themselves two weeks to buy a used Gemini and take off on a
five year circumnavigation. They also have a website which they post to much
like you folks. I have been following them as well.
Here's their URL: http://www.theslapdash.com/
At any rate, the point of this is that near as I can tell they should be either
right about where you are or right behind you coming down the ICW from Myrtle
Beach where they bought their boat. Their last post was Nov 14 at Titusville,
and they indicated some problem with their outdrive. Being in the general area
much more experienced and knowledgeable I thought you might be of assistance
to them...if you're so inclined.
"Red skies at night..."
Ken Brindle, #208
Response -
Ken,
I met the "slapdashes" in Vero Beach and they should be arriving in Stuart, where we are, tomorrow. We are supposed to meet up with another Gemini Owner who is in the area. The first day I saw them I talked to him about his outdrive and found a pin about to fall in the water. It hadn't been set with the allen screw. They are great people and should be on the adventure of their lifetime, as we are. It should be fun running into them over the next few months.
Take care and let me know if I can do anything for you.
Jim
Nov 18, 2007 - Probably one of the most extensive set of questions I have received about the Gemini. I hope this helps others.
Ross,
I have put my answers below each of your questions. I hope they help. Also,
for the web feedback section, I put my answers in red.
Jim
Subject: Gemini questions
Jim –
Good to hear back from you and learn you’re available & interested in some e-mail.
Wow – what story about Deb’s dunking! It’s definitely one of those ‘what if’ scenarios where you’re so pleased and grateful that things turned out well. I imagine that a major part of the scariness comes from how quickly and ‘out of the blue’ things went from normal to life threatening. I’m glad that she came out of it with only a story.
Some of the things I’m curious to learn about the Gemini:
1) How do you find the sound & noise levels inside? This relates to the
height the bridge hull above the water – I’ve heard ~ 13”
at its lowest. I don’t imagine that I’d be bothered by wave slap
noise when underway, however I’ve found that when lying at anchor any
repetitive noises can be very unpleasant.
I would say that if you are not at a protected anchorage
that the sounds coming from the underside of the boat will and can be disturbing.
However, there are two easy fixes. First one is MOVE the boat to a more protected
anchorage. We did this a couple of times at Key West when we had Northerners
blow in. The second is, if you are sure of your anchors, put in ear plugs. We
also did this in Key West when we were on a private mooring that we trusted.
90 plus percent of the time, we have no problem and that could be 98 percent
if we would move more. When we get to the Bahamas, we will be moving with the
weather systems and tucking in close behind the islands. When we are underway,
we don't notice it.
2) Does the mast make any noise? I’ve been aboard sailboats in which
the mast contained internal halyards and/or wires that wern’t secured
and the sounds they produced were really irritating.
We have some wire slap from the mast but I think the problem is really answered
in our first question. If you are hiding behind an island and tucked in close,
which you can be with a Gemini, you really don't have a problem. If you are
exposed, then the wire slap is not an issue because the wave slap on the bottom
covers it up. Go back to move the boat or ear plugs.
3) Are you pleased with the overall construction? In reading the posts on the
Yahoo site (only reviewed about 20% so far) I’ve come across some issues
that give me concern. In particular the following areas got my attention: a)
questionable fiberglass layup methods as reflected in the high incidence of
voids, b) bulkheads & other structural members that may not be adequately
attached or glassed into the hull, c) potential under-engineered problem areas
like sail lockers that don’t drain, hatches that don’t seal, spider
cracking of gelcoat due to excessive flexing, etc., d) inaccessibility of wiring,
plumbing, flotation chambers, etc.
I'll address these in the order you stated them.
a) I had voids on my hull which I had to address. I purchased the boat used
from a friend and got a price that was conducive to us purchasing the boat and
fixing the problems with the blisters on the boat. You can read about that on
our website. I have also found some voids in the deck and I'm working on fixing
them myself. Bottom line is, in my opinion, that this is a boat that is built
for a price. I think the newer hulls are better than the one we have, which
is 11 years old. However, if you find an owner like us that fixes everything,
you would get a great boat. Our surveyor even was amazed there were no blisters
on the bottom of our boat, found no moisture in our top sides with his moisture
meter, and said this is the first boat he has seen that had no blisters. That
is because I fixed everything and coated the entire bottom with Interlux 2000
- twice.
b) I have never found anything that was structurally wrong with this boat. I
know about the person that had a problem with his boat but we simply don't have
those problems. Our boat has gotten us through 42 knot winds and 6 foot seas
in a sound (bad day) but with no problems. We have surfed down waves in an inlet
that we probably shouldn't have gone into with no problems and we have seen
bigger seas on the ocean with no problems. We've lived on the boat for over
a year and, I'm being redundant, no problems.
c) My sail locker has a drain. Ours also has a valve that the previous owner
put on it so it can be shut off and not take on water. I usually keep it in
the closed position. The hatch problem is one of the locks and I understand
there are newer ones that don't allow water in. However, the real problem is
that water can come in from the rudder up and down line locks. This can be easily
fixed with a piece of plastic that directs the water into the wet section behind
the aft lockers. Now the question of spider cracking is a real issue. I have
a number of places on our boat that has cracking. I'm not sure it is from excessive
flexing or if it is because of bad docking from the previous and current owners.
Regardless, I would say that would be excessive flexing. I am planning on fixing
ours next summer while standing out of harms way of hurricane season.
Regarding the ‘overall quality’ question I gather from what I read on the Yahoo site that some of these issues have generated quite a bit of ‘heat’ – particularly as related to the complaints that have been voiced by Richard Roscoe. It seems that many owners feel that Richard was expecting too much boat for his $.
My concern about quality issues isn’t so much about things that I could
resolve myself without too much time/expense – such as sealing the edges
of the plywood sole panels so that they’d be more resistant to water damage.
Rather I have concerns about the things that are so major that even extensive
efforts may not be able to resolve them – to wit:
it was necessary to remove the rubrail completely round the boat, which exposed
the fact that the deck to hull joint had been bolted without any sealant on
the bolts, that there was an actual hole through the hull where a hole saw had
been driven through, that bonding compound was irregular and missing in some
areas and that there were a number of unsealed holes.
We have never had a problem with the deck to hull joint.
We never have water in our bilge and actually never had bilge pumps for 11 years.
I recently added a 2200 gph bilge pump which I can move between hulls in case
we get holed. I also have a nerf football, closed cell foam, and am going to
add a nerf socker ball to the hole the boat inventory. I hope I never have to
use them.
The Owner’s Manual stated that the keel is strong enough to support the
boat on a point load, with fiberglass totaling 5/8” thick with additional
wood reinforcing. Yet when the boat was blocked off ashore exactly where specified,
the hull deflected enough to bend the inner molding, with the result that the
plywood bunk front, which was already detached, was displaced vertically by
about one inch. Re-fixing the bunk front to the inner molding is no solution,
as internal joinery cannot provide structural strength unless it is properly
bonded to the hull itself on both sides of the ply. The color Brochure stated
that the entire keel is reinforced with extra glass and wood as well as a series
of bulkheads. Inspection shows that there are in fact only two partial bulkheads,
neither of which is positioned to support the wooden keelson.
We have blocked our boat exactly the way they say in the
owners manual many times and when fixing the blisters in the hull, for many
months. It is EASY to find out where the bulkheads are by both measurement and
sounding of the hull. All you have to do is lift the boat and knock on the hull.
When the sound changes, you have found the bulkhead. I find that the sound changes
exactly where I put blue masking tape on the life lines (my measurement) everytime.
You simply lift the boat out of the water so you can block the boat where the
bulkheads are and you are just fine. Don't lift the boat on the bulkheads because
you can't block it properly.
Obviously, everyone has their opinion, but I’m most interested in opinions from those who have the background & experience to give an ‘informed’ opinion. Richard certainly seems to have those credentials.
Similarly, I figure that anyone who built their own airplane, to include some beautifully crafted wheel pants, would be a good resource!
I’ve done a huge amount of boat work myself (see attached photos of my project) – but don’t want to go that route again.
Your thoughts?
Ross
I hope I've provided some input. Obviously there can always
be a problem with a single boat. In our case, we had some blister and void problems
that I had fixed and received a better price as a result. I think they have
those problems worked out in the newer boats and they are stiffer as well. If
you are looking at a mid 500 Gemini, you would want to be sure that the previous
owner has worked out the issues as we have or you may be more interested in
a newer Gemini.
I hope the information helps.Let me know if you have further questions or would
like clarification.
Jim
Nov 18, 2007 - I don't know if you've noticed but my hair is growing out. It seems, probably over a happy hour, that I made a Bill about not cutting our hair until we were back from the Bahamas. Well, I didn't know that his grows about a 1/4 inch a month and mine is at least an inch. You better know who you are betting with..... The reason this is in this section is because I have decided that after about another month, we may have to have a vote as to whether I should keep up with growing it out. After all, since I've watched Master and Commander and Pirates of the Caribbean, it seems you have to have long hair to be a captain.
Nov 15, 2007 - This message was from Ross Mann and I emailed back to please email back. We love to interact with Gemini people and other cruisers too.
Hi Jim & Deb – I discovered your web site(s) a few days ago while jumping around the Internet in search of Gemini information. I’ve really enjoyed reading everything! It’s so great that you’ve decided to share all of this adventure – including the all the ‘how to’ details. I love that you go into things like the true exact costs – as opposed to all the various magazine articles I’ve seen. I also find all the other aspects of your documentation very interesting and informative – like how you describe the rudder alignment, engine alignment, and transmission replacement so clearly – including the illustrative photos! I too undertook a similar trek in 1990 ~ 1991 after working on my boat for a number of years. I had a 37’ fiberglass sloop that was in pretty good shape when I bought her, but I ended up doing a complete re-build of virtually everything before my journey. I did all of my re-fitting in a small do-it-yourself yard in Wilmington NC and then went solo down to Georgetown Exuma for the winter. It was a great trip but after living aboard for all that time I was ready to resume working and be with my girlfriend (now wife) here in Chapel Hill, NC. Now at 57 I’m ready to ‘have some fun’ and starting thinking about boats again – which led me to Gemini’s and you. I’ve got a million questions (well . . not quite J ) that I’d like to ask – but don’t want to be a pest if you’d rather not do that much e-mail. Also, I’d be happy to share the parts of my experiences that may be useful to what you’re now doing. BTW – I’m surprised at how little the majority of marine technology has changed while I was gone. For example, solar panels don’t seem much improved. I look forward to hearing back from you!
Ross Mann
Previous - I had many more but you have to start somewhere and I don't have all of the others saved. Sorry, email again!
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