Gemini Project, Manual or Info Please

Tztamer · 05 March 2018, 04:15

Hi I've just picked up an old Gemini, I believe it's a 5.5. (engines are twin Mariner 30's from 1993, so the boat could be from around this area)

Unfortunately I don't have an operating manual. The information I would like to know is 'Do I need to plug the holes on the sea side of the transom? Is there a bilge system? and what are all of the switches for on the dashboard?
Apologies if they are dumb questions, but I need to know before I take it out on the water.

Both engines had destroyed pump impellors, stale fuel and brittle fuel lines. These issues have all been resolved and they start and run sweetly. Looking forward to getting it on the water

Regards
Conrad

Tztamer · 06 March 2018, 04:09

I have attached another image and in this photo there are 2 small drain holes at the bottom of the transom.
Should these have plugs fitted when in the water?
Also I cannot find a bilge pump anywhere, should it have one fitted?

Regards

MustRib · 06 March 2018, 19:14

My Gemini has a drain hole, (that should be fitted with a plug)
plus it also had a rather crappy captive ball type drain.
That was taken off and the hole filled and sealed.
Yes you should have a bilge pump, the deck on my Gemini is a series of panels -
I assume yours is the same - and water will collect in the bilge unless you pump it out.
There are two hatches on the inside of the transom on my Rib,
and the bilge pump(s) are fitted in the space behind those.

If you need more detailed information, I suggest you take some pics
of those pesky "switches on the dashboard" and I will have a guess as to what they do.
Did you fix up the engines and fuel lines or did you take it to a company to do that?
If you did it yourself, then you should be capable of tracing out what the switches do,
and if you took it to a company, I would strongly suggest taking it back to them
to have the boat made seaworthy and all the electrics checked out.

RichardinNZ · 06 March 2018, 21:34

My Gemini 550 (2004) has three drain holes in the location you show, all with external bungs.

If you have the manufacturers plate it may be worth contacting Gemini direct; they were very helpful when I contacted them, although did not have details of my complete build as the console, fuel tank etc were all fitted by the dealer.

Has it been retubed? I dont think I have seen a Gemini with similar handles and without rubbing strakes. Altogether the tubes look different to mine.

Hope this helps.
Richard

Tztamer · 07 March 2018, 05:00

"Must Rib"
Thank you very much for the information. I did the engine work myself. I shall try and trace the wiring, I just thought maybe a manual could be obtained

. However I will take a pic of the switches and dashboard.
I think that I'll blank off the captive ball drains also as it will be kept at a wet berth, once it has had the full check over.
Almost there now, 1 selector cable was stiff, now flushed and lubed.
Replaced the upper selector arm (under the powerhead) as it sheared the pin when releasing the selector rod (seized) to remove the bottom unit.
Gear oil, fuel pump diaphragms and plugs on both engines changed.

Tztamer · 07 March 2018, 05:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichardinNZ

My Gemini 550 (2004) has three drain holes in the location you show, all with external bungs.

If you have the manufacturers plate it may be worth contacting Gemini direct; they were very helpful when I contacted them, although did not have details of my complete build as the console, fuel tank etc were all fitted by the dealer.

Has it been retubed? I dont think I have seen a Gemini with similar handles and without rubbing strakes. Altogether the tubes look different to mine.

Hope this helps.
Richard

Hi Richard,

Thank you for the information also.
I have found 2 bungs (tapered with multiple seals) so I guess they're the kiddies to use in those holes.
I really don't know if it has been retubed, the tube material is very flexible and does not feel like pvc, I would feel happier if it had rubbing strakes

Regards
Conrad

MustRib · 07 March 2018, 07:09

Not sure this helps that much...but shows back of the transom,
blanked off drain hole and the "bung" drain hole.

Tztamer · 07 March 2018, 08:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by MustRib

Not sure this helps that much...but shows back of the transom,
blanked off drain hole and the "bung" drain hole.

Thank you for that, I can see the blanked off drains, did you silicon and screw them?

MustRib · 07 March 2018, 09:19

Just one of the two ...
I kept the other with a drain bung in it...
(just so I would have something to forget when launching ;-)

RichardinNZ · 07 March 2018, 18:37

I've not completely worked out where my three drains connect to....

One connects to the area covered by the central panels in the floor (my fuel tank is in this area)...the panels are not sealed so any water coming into the boat ends up here.

The other two drain the hull itself, although thinking about it I'm not sure how water gets into this area...I'll need to go and look further and understand that and also why there are two drains...

My point is, that before blocking anything it'd be worth checking why it is there!

MustRib · 07 March 2018, 22:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichardinNZ

I've not completely worked out where my three drains connect to....

One connects to the area covered by the central panels in the floor (my fuel tank is in this area)...the panels are not sealed so any water coming into the boat ends up here.

The other two drain the hull itself, although thinking about it I'm not sure how water gets into this area...I'll need to go and look further and understand that and also why there are two drains...

My point is, that before blocking anything it'd be worth checking why it is there!

Interesting.... I only have one under deck area - with my fuel tank in it - and the boat only had two drain holes originally.
One with a captive ball type drain and the other with a bung.

I have never seen a three hole version.
Looks like the OP's boat has two drain holes also.
Definitely recommend fitting bilge pumps though.
If there are additional compartments under the deck on my Rib
they are fully sealed, with no access to them.

RichardinNZ · 08 March 2018, 04:09

This is mine. Showing the three drains on the transom, plus a photo showing the deck area, the area under the hatches links to one of the drains.

I can access (sort of) the area under the floor through the covers behind the rear seat...there is a pump in this area.

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MustRib · 08 March 2018, 05:46

do you have to use three bungs in those drains?
they are so close together I can't believe they drain different sections.
I dont have a rear seat, but do have two hatches as in your 3rd pic,
and the two bilge pumps are in that transom section.
how do you drain water off the deck?
I have two elephant trunk drainers, that take off the bulk,
as you know a certain amount will end up in the bilge.

RichardinNZ · 08 March 2018, 06:45

Yes three bungs.

I have two elephant trunks for the deck.

I'll get the hose out soon and check what drains from where!

Tztamer · 08 March 2018, 08:19

Great info, thanks guys.
I don't have a hatch near my rear seat, only 1 for the anchor at the bow and another just in front of the consol (a good amount of sand in there at the moment ) which I need to clean out and see if I can spot anything which resembles a bilge pump. underseat battery area has one of the drains.