by David D. Beach
LOA 21' 1 1/2", BEAM 7 3/4"
Bowing to the increased interest in twin-hulled craft, this creator of advanced designs comes up with a 21’ catamaran cruiser powered by two big outboards.
The catamaran has demonstrated the principle that two narrow hulls pound less than one hull having the same total planing area. The proof of this is in the performance of this type of craft in rough-water races where the cats regularly win and place out in front of the conventional hulls. While they are not, in themselves, that much faster than other boats, they can be driven harder without punishing the passengers beyond the limits of comfort. They win because their crews take less beating in the waters that jar and bruise the occupants of standard-hull craft. Gemini is a catamaran outboard cruiser which will appeal to builders in many areas of the country. It is ideal where waters demand the need for sea-kindliness, shelter and speed. Do you run over to Catalina, do you cruise north through the Straits from Seattle, or do you have to cross Lake St. Clair? How about pushing up from the keys against a northerly breeze, or getting caught on Ponchartrain? Even the race to the south of Fishers Island can be a pretty miserable body of water at times. But it won’t phase Gemini. The twin hulls have ample freeboard, carry their deadrise all the way aft, and there is just the right amount of beam to permit efficient planing with modest powers. Let’s look at Gemini, starting with the Outboard Profile and Deck Arrangement Plan. This shows that the craft has an ample foredeck with good visibility all around from the cabin. The cabin proper encloses the midships section of the craft, leaving a modest after cockpit which is the full width of the craft. The stern is cut for two longshaft in-line outboard motors of up to 70 hp each. The cabin top is fitted, as shown, with a Solaria-type sunroof. This feature makes a substantially open boat of Gemini, with the cabin roof capable of being opened to the sky. Around the raised cockpit, with its full-width flush deck, is a low rail which provides a distinctive styling effect as well as a measure of safety for the younger members of the crew. The Inboard Profile and Arrangement Plan should be shown to the lady of the family, for the arrangement will certainly convince her that Gemini offers much comfort which will make her boating hours quite enjoyable. Point out to her the wide seats forward, and how they convert to sun lounges or berths, each wider than a studio couch. The headroom forward of the galley counter and the completely enclosed toilet space and dressing compartment is full for most wives, and adequate for all but the tallest men. The size of the rear cockpit is almost enough to qualify it as a “back porch.” Certainly those two chairs will illustrate that trolling over the transom presents no problem. Note how simple boarding the craft can be with a ladder over the transom and the hinged section of cockpit railing on the centerline. We think that some small amount of daydreaming will convince you that Gemini is ideal for most purposes.
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