Gemini WR600

ThundercatRob · 18 March 2025, 17:08

Hi all,

Ive recently become the owner of a Gemini WR600. Its previously know to this forum. It was previously owned by Mitchc. https://www.rib.net/forum/f8/1999-ge...one-55814.html. Ive previously owned a Caesar Thundercat and Gemini GRX420, but never a RIB.

She is a 2000 build boat and has an Opitmax 150hp motor. It went through an overhaul around 2014 with the seats being reconfigured, new tubes from Ribshop, new double axel trailer and I think some new electronics.

Ive only been out once in her once when I first got it in January. A very cold day in the Solent, but she seems like a good boat.

Its currently in Lymington and hoping to use her around the Solent. Currently just trying to decide if I should put her on a mooring through the summer. It will probably mean I can use it a lot more.

jonp · 19 March 2025, 21:49

why does a mooring mean you could use the boat more ? Are there no public boat ramps.

Ive just had a friend visit from the UK where we trailered my boat to different ramps and used the boat almost everyday for the past three weeks.

Personally I would not want to leave my boat on a mooring at all. Theft, vandalism, marine growth on the hull, UV exposure etc etc.

ThundercatRob · 21 March 2025, 19:34

You make a lot of good points, and I have some of the same concerns, mainly because I have no experience in leaving a RIB on a mooring.

The reason I can potentially see it being used more is just down to how easily I can get it ready to go, and how long it takes. I have a young family, so it needs to be as easy as possible and I will likely be doing it all on my own. Launching, recovering etc.

Whilst the Lymington slipway is fine, it can get busy and is semi tidal. It’s also shared by the RNLI and two sailing clubs, so it can take a long time to get in the water if there is a queue. Also, the parking situation isn’t great.

If the boat is on a mooring, I could cycle down in 5 mins, and then just paddle out and be onboard.

It’s obviously a bit harder on the boat which I don’t like, but there are many RIBs kept on moorings (these are bow stern moorings). This is really what I’m trying to decide.

The reality is I will probably try the mooring for a year at £550, and just use it for shortish periods, and take the boat out of the water when I don’t plan to use it for a number of weeks, or the weather is bad. I will probably only use it between June - August anyway.

Any thoughts welcome though

beamishken · 21 March 2025, 21:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThundercatRob

You make a lot of good points, and I have some of the same concerns, mainly because I have no experience in leaving a RIB on a mooring.

The reason I can potentially see it being used more is just down to how easily I can get it ready to go, and how long it takes. I have a young family, so it needs to be as easy as possible and I will likely be doing it all on my own. Launching, recovering etc.

Whilst the Lymington slipway is fine, it can get busy and is semi tidal. It’s also shared by the RNLI and two sailing clubs, so it can take a long time to get in the water if there is a queue. Also, the parking situation isn’t great.

If the boat is on a mooring, I could cycle down in 5 mins, and then just paddle out and be onboard.

It’s obviously a bit harder on the boat which I don’t like, but there are many RIBs kept on moorings (these are bow stern moorings). This is really what I’m trying to decide.

The reality is I will probably try the mooring for a year at £550, and just use it for shortish periods, and take the boat out of the water when I don’t plan to use it for a number of weeks, or the weather is bad. I will probably only use it between June - August anyway.

Any thoughts welcome though

Nothing wrong with keeping a rib on a mooring my only concern is I hate antifoul on tubes but if you can get it out every few weeks to keep it clean then it should be fine. Definitely far easier to use the boat, just turn up & go & far easier to find a parking space for a car than it is a car and trailer. Fuel may be an issue depending how much you use unless theres on water fuel available closely but often not & buying & transporting large quantities of fuel can be an issue although unmanned fuel stations can help out with that.

Kristoff · Yesterday, 12:14

If you want to leave a boat on a mooring you don't want a rib really. People will disagree, but for me the benefit of a rib is light weight for regular trailering and launching coupled with proper sea worthy-ness. If you have a mooring you can go bigger (heavier) with a fiberglass boat, to get similar sea worthy-nees with increased comfort (a cuddy and a toilet - what luxury!). Much more forgiving to being antifouled and pressure washed & scraped too.

ThundercatRob · Yesterday, 19:51

Thanks for the comments chaps.

I think the reality is it may go on a mooring for a few months in the summer when the weather is decent, probably use it from the trailer on the shoulder months when the weather is more unpredictable. It will be much cheaper to use the morning only for a few days per month than to use the visitor moorings for weekends here and there, and relying on the slipway being clear during peak weekend summer months will be a pain. I will probably just drag it out every few weeks and refuel etc at the local shell station with V Power. 150l tank should be fine for a while with my expected trips around the Solent.

I’m not sure a RIB is lightweight. Yes, less so that a hard boat with cabin etc, but I think I’m on the limit of handling mine single handed. Maybe I need more practise! A double axel trailer is great for towing, but very difficult to move on your own without a vehicle. It also has a beam which is at the limit for towing, so it’s a bit of a lump all things considered.

beamishken · Yesterday, 22:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kristoff

If you want to leave a boat on a mooring you don't want a rib really. People will disagree, but for me the benefit of a rib is light weight for regular trailering and launching

That's a realy odd statement, many ribs are far too big to even trailer & stay afloat permanently & many folk find keeping even 5m ribs in the water more convenient than launching & recovering every time.
The op seems to know the downsides but if keeping his boat afloat means he uses it more often then that surely outweighs the disadvantages.

Kristoff · Today, 10:55

I have people keep ribs on moorings where I am, and they certainty age faster than those of us who are keeping them on the trailer. The boats I mean not the owners. On a mooring can certainly be more convenient, but for me if I was on a mooring I wouldn't have a rib. But everyone is different. If you like coming back to a boat that looks like a kids football that's been discarded on a roof for a few months, stick it on a mooring.

Orwell boy · Today, 11:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kristoff

I have people keep ribs on moorings where I am, and they certainty age faster than those of us who are keeping them on the trailer. The boats I mean not the owners. On a mooring can certainly be more convenient, but for me if I was on a mooring I wouldn't have a rib. But everyone is different. If you like coming back to a boat that looks like a kids football that's been discarded on a roof for a few months, stick it on a mooring.

100% agree

, i always think you have to be a very weathy person to keep a rib on a mooring ,maybe versa dock !
Should have said love my Gemini ...Enjoy however you decide !

craigh · Today, 18:26

"The reality is I will probably try the mooring for a year at £550,...."

Do you mind me asking where in the south coast you are getting a mooring for the year for £550

ThundercatRob · Today, 19:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by craigh

"The reality is I will probably try the mooring for a year at £550,...."

Do you mind me asking where in the south coast you are getting a mooring for the year for £550

Lymington*. Known for being a cheap place to boat on the south coast!!!

* You have to be a resident though.

That’s the cost for the year, but I’m thinking it’s more of a visitors mooring type that I can use when I want. I just won’t have to book it.

I picked up a Kayak today for £70 to trial as a tender. A few friends use these and seem to work well.

I will get some covers if I decide to keep it on the mooring. I’ve got a nice console and jockey covers, plus an all over winter cover, but I will probably keep the winter covers and get a summer mooring covers to keep the sun and bird crap off.

It’s still all to be decided! I haven’t said yes to the mooring yet!

ThundercatRob · Today, 19:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orwell boy

100% agree

, i always think you have to be a very weathy person to keep a rib on a mooring ,maybe versa dock !
Should have said love my Gemini ...Enjoy however you decide !

What type of Gemini do you have? You rarely seem to see any about? Most are much larger these days or setup in commercial or military applications.