Gemini 105Mc Owner’s Manual
34
Copyright © 2004 Performance Cruising Inc.
Sails and Sailing
Reefing the Main
To reef the main, let the mainsheet go and slack off
the jib just a little. Leave the rudder turned as if to
tack the boat. The boat will then stop and remain at
about an apparent wind angle of 50º. Hook the top-
ping lift over the winch and down to the cleat to
temporarily raise the boom about 18". Release the
main halyard to lower the main sail until the eyelet
at the front of the first reef point is in line with the
gooseneck. Hook the eyelet over the hook on the
gooseneck and re-tension the main halyard. Pull the
reefing line (blue or red) under the boom until the
back of the sail is pulled down to the boom, and
cleat. Release the topping lift (the reason for raising
the boom is to make it easier to pull the back of the
reefing line to the boom.)
Genoa
Your 320 sq. ft. genoa is made of 5.5 oz. Contender
Dacron. This is an exceptionally tight-weave fabric
and is also a soft-finish cloth making the sail dura-
ble, resistant to stretching, and lessens the tendency
to develop wrinkles as a result of roller furling. As an
aid to reefing the genoa, the mid section of the luff
of the sail is padded with a foam insert which helps
keep the sail flat as it is rolled in. The sail has a strip
of Sunbrella cloth on the leach and foot of the sail
which is the longest-lasting sun protection material
available. Reefing the genoa is a simple matter of
pulling on the roller furling line after having let loose
or eased the genoa sheets. Regarding the furling
drum: it is highly advised to leave a small amount of
tension on the furling line (by hand) to ease the sail
out. This ensures that the line will wrap correctly
around the furling drum without any tendency to
foul.
Spinnaker
For down wind, a spinnaker is essential for racing. A
spinnaker’s lightweight and shape enable the sail to
be blown into a position which captures the maxi-
mum drive from the wind with the use of a spinnaker
pole which positions the sail away from the wind
shadow of the main. The spinnakers huge size gives
spectacular down-wind speed. Gemini’s performance
also increases with the lift created by a spinnaker or
full screacher sail.
A single luff spinnaker, which has many names, is
designed for use without a pole. It is tacked to the
base of the headstay like the Genoa, and has one set
of sheets.
Screacher Sail
The optional screacher sail (Dimension Dacron cloth
weight 4 oz) is a 420 square foot roller drifter (200%)
fitted in front of the genoa. The sail is designed
First Reef
22 Knots
Second Reef
25 Knots
Third Reef
30 Knots
Fourth Reef
Gale
Screacher Sail
