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June 2008 Moore Gooder

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Vessel

Moore Gooder
2006 Gemini 105MC
White w/blue Features

The players

Bob Zaptocky (owner/captain)
His father
Richard Bell

Some background

I’ve been interested in Gemini catamarans for some while with a view to possibly using one for the Great Loop and later sailing about doing some coastal and Carbine cruising. I posted a note on the very active Gemini group with a view to seeing one and possibly going for a bit of a sail to learn a bit more about them when Bob sent me a note asking if I’d be interested in helping him move a Gemini that he recently purchased from Ocean City NJ to Cape Cod Bay. After meeting each other I agreed to crew for the trip.

The Trip

Wednesday, June 18

We met at Bob’s house around 3:30 to load his car and drive to NJ. Bob’s wife and daughter came along. We overnighted at a Marriott Residence Inn in Somer’s Point NJ. The drive down took 6 or 7 hours with some rain along the way. We arrived around 11PM and turned in tired but excited about the trip.

Thursday, June 19

Commander’s Landing to Seaview Harbor Marina (240 straight line nautical miles to go)

The plan for the day was to load the boat and move it to Seaview Harbor Marina where we would meet Rob Cozen (Marine Surveyor) who had a few final checks to perform.

We were up and out after a good breakfast courtesy of Marriott at 8:30 AM or so and off to load the boat for the trip.

The More Gooder was in the water at Commander’s Landing Marina (176 Thompson Ln., Egg Harbor Twp, NJ 08234). The marina is an interesting yard, there are no regular slips or transient services, up a small creek off of Great Egg Harbor Bay near Ocean City, NJ.

We met the boat’s previous owner who accompanied us to Seaview to help familiarize everyone with the boat. After loading and moving one car to Seaview Harbor we departed down river late mourning. After motoring through three bridges (2 draw) we went for a brief sail a couple of miles offshore and then to Seaview Harbor being mindful to dodge the dredging operation in the channel.

I’d briefly seen a Gemini the previous weekend but this was the first time I’d been sailing on a Gemini. The boat motored and sailed well and I was enthusiastic for the pending trip. The only issue was the steering under power. For some reason (it later turned out to be over tight steering lines that I adjusted and retied) it was binding causing the wheel to be difficult to turn.

Seaview Harbor is a VERY nice marina. After fueling (made over interesting by the tight steering lines which made the boat difficult to get into the fueling slip) we got an end slip and tied up. After sorting things out, Rob Cozen came over and finished the survey. I adjusted the steering lines with Bob’s permission and we went to dinner at a nice nearby restaurant.

Everyone slept on board with a planned early, 4:30 AM, departure to make the 60+ miles planned for the following day.

The Gemini berths are very nice for a 34' boat. The master cabin is enormous while each of the two stern cabins easily accommodates an adult (all 6' of me) and their gear. It is also possible to convert the salon into a berth. All in all, very nice.

Friday June 20

Seaview Harbor Marina to Brielle Marina (236 straight line nautical miles to go)

The plan for the day was to move Moore Gooder to Brielle, pick up Bob’s dad, and overnight. This was a long leg of 65 or so Nautical Miles! So it was up VERY early at 4:30. Patti and Jacki were to drive to Brielle picking up Bob’s parents along the way.

We got out of the marina about 5:30 or so and moved offshore about 3 miles where the trailing winds and swell gave both a better ride and somewhat better boat speed. We’d planned on about 5 to 5.5 knots over the ground. While there was some wind, it would not support the plan and we ended up motoring through much of the mourning with the boat doing a steady 5.5 to 6 knots with a following swell. Late mourning the winds picked up and we raised the main to get a bit of boat speed. The winds held and we were able to do a steady 6 to 7 knots arriving at Brielle mid afternoon, much ahead of the plan. Several rain storms came by but with a bit of care it is possible to stay reasonably dry underneath the cockpit cover.

The waters off of Brielle were VERY choppy and there was a bit of bother getting the sail down. The Gem slaps a good deal all the time but in rough water it slaps a lot. Fortunately, the boat is not bothered by this and handles very well. After getting the sails down we motored into the harbor.

The entry requires that we transit a railroad draw bridge. It is normally up but just as we arrived, a train was passing and we watched the bridge close. We circled among fair traffic down stream of the bridge dealing with an outgoing current. While we were new to the boat, it handled well and after waiting for the downstream traffic we took our turn under the bridge and turned right into the marina. Getting docked was a bit of adventure as everyone was new to the process. But we succeeded without event.

The docks are not floating and there is a 4+ ft tide. After a bit of discussion we rigged spring lines and fenders properly and after showing the boat to Bob’s parents went to dinner at a restaurant just outside the marina.

Brielle Marina is a more or less C- place. The marina shore facilities are a bit limited and the shower not to anyone’s liking. The Gem’s shower is good as boat shower’s go, so there was no real hardship.

Bob’s family departed to return to Massachusetts and the crew overnighted on the boat with a planned early departure for NY, NY.

Saturday June 21

Brielle to NY (190 straight line nautical miles to go)

The plan for the day was to go to Newport Marina and overnight. This was the shortest planned leg, only 42 nautical miles or so. We stayed out a few miles to benefit from the better swell push and motored the entire distance at roughly 6 knots or so.

We were off reasonably early in the mourning there being nothing to keep us in Brielle. Yesterday’s winds abandoned us, so we motored off shore 2 to 3 miles with a helpful following swell to New York.

New York harbor from a boat is a great treat with many photo opps! The entertainment started with the moorage south of the Verrazano Narrows Bridge where there were a couple of ships moored. Then under the bridge and through the narrows. Then another ship anchorage with a dozen or so big ladies. Up past Liberty Island and The Statue. Then Ellis Island and into the mouth of the Hudson a couple of miles into Newport marina on the NJ side. We arrived late afternoon.

Newport Marina gets an A- with good showers and basic facilities. The docks are floating and very well protected. The staff was very helpful. There are many chain restaurants near by and good access to the subway into NY within easy walking distance.

We ate on board. The Gem’s galley is good with plenty of space for storage and cooking. The propane stove and electric/propane refrigerator both performed well. The microwave (AC only) is small and wouldn’t accept a family size frozen dinner. After an early dinner from the oven and a bit of wine we turned in with a planed early departure to catch the current in the east river.

Kudos to Patti’s provisioning as the food on board was good during the entire trip.

Sunday June 22

NY to Captain’s Cove Seaport (170 straight line nautical miles to go)

The plan for the day was to get as far up LI sound as possible with a view to getting within range of the Cape Cod Canal for Wednesday (still 170 straight line nautical miles away). This was one of our better days with a run of about 55 miles.

The trip through the East River and NY city is quite wonderful with many many photo opps. We departed early mourning to catch the current flowing eastward through Hell Gate. Leaving Newport Marina we tried to fuel at Liberty Marina. Unfortunately, there fuel dock was blocked by an excursion boat of some sort. Since we had more than enough fuel on board (the Gem burns about ¾ gal per hour and we could have reached our final destination with fuel on board) we proceeded.

On the way out of Liberty Marina we were passed by a large passenger vessel. It was an interesting sight and provided considerable photo opportunities. After that diversion it was down around the Battery being careful to stay out of the way of the various ferries. There were some more photo opportunities with Ellis and Liberty islands then off into the East River passing the ferry terminals, several square rigged ships (South Street Seaport and the Peking) and then the bridges.

First under the Brooklyn Bridge. Immediately followed by the Manhattan Bridge. Followed by the Williamsburg. Then a brief brake from bridges with the UN. Then the Queensboro Bridge. And of course the Rosvelt Island Tram. Past Roosevelt Island. Then through Hell Gate under the Triborough Bridge and railway bridge.

Our timing at the Battery was good so Hell Gate was a non event, though, we did get a nice push from the current. We’d picked a barge east bound that we followed through this section of the east river. Though we were slightly faster we were not fast enough to get past safely.

After Hell Gate came the last of the bridges, the Bronx Whitestone and Throgs Neck.

From there its out into lower LI sound and past city island. All in all, the trip east on the river is a real treat.

The rest of the day was devoted to moving east, finally on a more direct course toward our ultimate destination. The winds freshened and we put up the sails and off we went maintaining an easy 5 to 7 knots under sail alone.

Unfortunately, we were unable to raise the drive leg. Subsequent investigation revealed that the latch was not releasing properly so the leg could not be pumped up. This is one of the things about the Gem that’s a bit problematic. The drive leg is somewhat like an outboard. There is a release lever that is supposed to release the reverse lock. Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn’t. Apparently it is a known issue particularly underway. The instructions say raise the leg then put up sails. I’m not at all sure if/how this might be done while keeping the boat into the wind so it all seems a bit dodgy. The net of this was that we drug the drive leg all day which doubtless cut our speed.

Toward the latter part of the day, conditions were getting a bit dodgy and we put in at Brewster Cove just west of Bridgeport, CT.

This marina gets a B. It was clean, the staff helpful though not especially knowledgeable. The shower was not to my liking but otherwise the facilities were good. Since we were in early, we went on shore and had a drink at The Captains. It’s a young oriented bar but OK early in the evening. Later we had dinner on the boat and turned in reasonably early.

Monday June 23

Captain’s Cove Seaport to Old Saybrook (127 straight line nautical miles to go)

We left reasonably early with a view to getting as far east as possible with Fishers Island our destination. Bob had been there previously and was enthusiastic to return.

Unfortunately, yesterday’s good winds failed and with air and water temperature nearly the same there was considerable fog that forced us in early at Old Saybrook, CT. We still managed 45 plus miles.

This marina has my vote for the best of the trip by far. Shore facilities included outdoor and indoor pools, sauna, whirl pool, and great showers. Clearly an A+. Given our schedule though we could not particularly take advantage of them.

On a negative note, the initial slip they directed us to was clearly not 14 ft wide. We ended up on a T dock. Clearly the Gem’s width, though narrow by Catamaran standards, is still issue enough.

A bit of investigation of the engine release revealed that for some reason the reverse lock pawl is not releasing. It can be pressed down with a boat hook so that’s what we did.

We ate onboard again. With the Gem this is not an issue at all as both the galley and cabin are very spacious. We chatted and read for a bit then to bed for another early start as we had not made as much easting as we’d hoped.

Tuesday June 24

Old Saybrook to Block Island (88 straight line nautical miles to go)

This was another short, though eventful, day with only 40 miles or so. Out intent was to try to get to Cuttyhunk, Ma which would place us within a easy day of the canal. For fallbacks we had Newport, always a treat with outstanding shore side restaurants, or Point Judity (I’ve friends near there and there is a fish restaurant I’m particularly fond of ).

Fog was an issue again. After a reasonable start we put into Niantic and road the hook for a couple of hours waiting for the fog to clear. We took the opportunity to pump up the dingy as it was sagging a bit (not sure why).

Fog along the coast was minimal to nonexistent so we went off again and as the day cleared drifted south a bit to pick up somewhat better seas and search for wind that wasn’t there. There was a bit of chop which gave the boat a less happy motion. As we motored on, a line of thunderstorms developed along the coast of RI and there were a number of weather alerts. After discussing things a bit we elected to divert to Block Island as the storms were tracking along the coast. The new harbor at block island is very nice, though not as well protected as I’d imagined as there is considerable fetch for the wind. Still we were able to refuel and get onto a T dock in reasonable order despite very difficult winds driving us off.

One negative with the Gem, like most catamarans, is windage. There is more boat above the water and as a consequence it gets blown around more than many others. Still the steerable drive leg helps, a big plus to offset the reverse locking pawl issues, and the boat can be easily maneuvered. It does help is there is a dock hand that knows how to string a spring so the boat can be driven on. Fortunately we had one and got on with only a bit of fuss.

We ended up at the Block Island marina all the way at the south end of the new harbor. This marina gets a solid B+ in my book with good enough facilities and is within a longish walk to the old town.

As we were in early, we walked into the old town did a bit of sight seeing and had a beer on the porch of one of the old hotels. All in all rather pleasant. After walking back we ate at the Oar restaurant at the marina and turned in reasonably early.

Our decision to come in early to Block Island was a VERY good one as the coastal thunderstorms caused considerable issue along the coast. Later a line moved just north of Block and over near Cuttyhunk, our original destination, and absolutely hammered somewhere. Meanwhile we sat dry and comfortable having dinner at the Oar.

Block is a more or less 60 miles straight shot to the canal. After talking it over, we decided to leave very early and see if we could make it as the weather was predicted to be very favorable. So we planned a very early, 4:30 am wakeup, departure. As a fallback, we had the offer of a mooring at the canal entrance.

There was a bit of bother overnight with something on the boat making an unusual noise. I got up a couple of times to see what it was but couldn’t find anything amiss. It might have been the dingy slapping, perhaps a block, or perhaps one of the boards.

Wednesday June 25

Block Island to Town of Sandwich Marina (60 straight line nautical miles to go)

We were up and our early getting underway around 5:15 or so bound for home. We needed to be at the canal entrance by 1:30 PM or so to make the tide/current through the canal. From block, that’s a LONG way on a sailboat and things would have to go very well to make it. As it turned out they did and we made 65 or so miles to get to the entrance in time.

Out of Block we had good winds, an easting current, and easting swell all of which gave us a ground speed over 7 knots toward our destination. I’d have liked to have left 45 minutes earlier than we did but we stayed just in range while motor sailing all day long. As we got into Buzzards Bay we picked up a solid current and succeeded in making the canal within our window despite failing winds.

Transiting the canal was interesting with three bridges and a very enthusiastic welcoming party that watched us as we passed at a couple of overlooks along the way. We caught up to a barge that entered the canal earlier than us and passed without incident.

The Sandwich Marina is nice enough but small by some standards. By the time we got there the winds were blowing at 15 to 20 knots and docking the boat was a bit tricky as the winds were blowing first off the dock then on. It takes some practice to maneuver big cats in the wind but we managed to pick up fuel and then move to a T.

The welcoming committee arrived and there was general pandemonium as the kids climbed aboard and explored dad’s new boat. The grandmothers came aboard as well and after cleaning and organizing things we closed up the boat and departed for Bob’s house.

Overall Impressions of the Gemini

This is a nice boat with a reasonable set of compromises for a bay/weekend/week long coastal cruiser. The boat has a nice sized cockpit and reasonable accommodations for up to 4 or so. The galley gets good marks as does the head/shower and main cabin dining area.

There are things to criticize about the Gem. While the steerable drive leg has some positive characteristics it has some negatives as well not the least of which is the reverse lock release mechanism. This particular boat had a few issues and things I’d change but these were mostly along the lines of comfort/convenience things like a reasonable place to hang the garbage bag in the galley (trivial to solve), cup holders in the cockpit (I managed to spill coffee several times when my cup tipped, also trivial), a larger microwave (the built in one wouldn’t accept a family meal and there is good space for one on top of the refrigerator cabinet where properly installed it would provide a good inside shelf for the steering station), etc. The boat really needs a generator as there are a couple of AC only things on board. Again it’s easy enough to install one as there is an extremely large locker forward in the port hull. While fit and finish are OK, hatch sealing is not and we had some wet in the lockers that shouldn’t have been there. Again, it’s easy enough to fix. There is a screacher option that this boat didn’t have. In the light airs we encountered it would have been nice to have it. That said, the main and jib are nice enough despite my inability to get them properly adjusted (it’s more likely to have been me than the sails). The boat doesn’t have radar and should have at least a reflector.

The Gem pounds. While the pounding doesn’t seem to hurt the boat it is a bit disconcerting. On sail and motor the boat handles very well and could be single handed with minimal bother.

Overall impressions of the trip

Just plain FUN! What more can you say. I’d have liked a bit more wind and sailing but we had a couple of good days of wind. The trip through NY, the East River, LI Sound, and Buzzards bay is OUTSTANDIN and it was a real treat on the Gem. The crew gets good marks as well with good vibes all around. I wouldn’t hesitate to do it again.

Richard's Personal Ramblings

Monday, June 30, 2008

Sunday at Nashoba Winnery