Gemini 105MC Reviews: Owner Pros, Cons & Boats for Sale
Disclosure: Worldwide Yachtsman is a brokerage marketplace. This page summarizes public owner discussion and links to live listings from licensed brokers. It is not an independent review magazine, and it does not rate brokers.
The Gemini 105MC is a U.S.-built cruising catamaran of about 34 ft with a 14 ft beam, kick-up centerboards and rudders, and either an outboard or a Westerbeke diesel on a Sillette drive leg. The 105M arrived in the mid-1990s; the 105MC (“convertible”) followed around 2004 with cockpit and spar changes while staying ICW-friendly. In short, owners love the shallow draft, slip-friendly beam and value, and they accept gelcoat crazing, flex and drive-leg upkeep as part of the deal. Production of the 105 line ended in the early 2010s.
What owners like
Eighteen-inch draft and a normal slip. A Gemini Owners Group member sailing S/V Kid Cat told CatamaranSite the shallow draft is what sold him, along with the ability to fit a regular marina slip.
“The killer feature for me was the shallow draft. It was the 18 inches.”
Eric (S/V Kid Cat), CatamaranSite owner interview
YachtSite’s Gemini 105 roundup makes the same points from the broader owner community: a 14 ft beam that fits a standard slip, and boards-up draft shallow enough for beach anchorages that deeper cats cannot use.
Easy to sail and dock short-handed. Eric, who was new to sailing when he bought the boat, described docking with the midships drive as straightforward.
“Easy to dock she's got a like the mid engine that with the drive like that turns so when you get to a dock it's actually extremely easy so much so that when i get to a dock people look at me oh you've been doing this for a long time and i'm going yes look at me. It's really just because it's easy yeah.”
Eric (S/V Kid Cat), CatamaranSite owner interview
Value for space. Owners repeatedly say nothing else in the price band offers the same combination of draft, beam and accommodations. Eric’s summary after two years:
“They're great boats if you're willing to spend a bit of time fixing them up. They are fantastic. There's nothing comparable for the amount of money.”
Eric (S/V Kid Cat), CatamaranSite owner interview
SpinSheet’s used-boat review (Jack Hornor) likewise called used Geminis strong value for accommodations and performance, while noting modest construction.
What owners criticize
Built to a price: gelcoat and DIY. Eric was blunt that Geminis need owner labor, and that gelcoat crazing is normal.
“I'm gonna tell you the real deal with these boats is that you need to spend time improving them because they are not known for having a very good build quality. They are known for very for being inexpensive built to a price. That's the thing built for price right.”
Eric (S/V Kid Cat), CatamaranSite owner interview
“When i got it the surveyor looked at all the cracks. It's got a bunch of gel coat cracks. They all have a bunch of gel coat cracks right.”
Eric (S/V Kid Cat), same interview
YachtSite’s owner wish list puts gelcoat crazing first, then soft or leaky balsa-cored decks if hardware is not re-bedded, centerboard rot on older boards, and inaccessible wiring looms.
Bridgedeck slamming. Low bridgedeck clearance means slap in the wrong sea, especially if the boat is overloaded. Eric treated it as expected on cats:
“It does. There's of course any time you have a wave that that is the right size it'll start slapping. But all catamarans have that.”
Eric (S/V Kid Cat), CatamaranSite owner interview
SpinSheet warned that the low bridge between the hulls “tends to pound in short steep seas, particularly if the boat is overloaded.”
Sillette drive leg and parts. Many 105MC boats use a Westerbeke diesel on a Sillette sail-drive leg that raises for skinny water. YachtSite notes mixed reviews on the Westerbeke 30b3 and that “the company that services the drive leg have gone out of business and there is no clear source for parts,” with many owners converting to an outboard. CatamaranSite’s interview summary likewise says many owners complain about raising and lowering the leg, and that parts are not easy to get. Owners on Cruisers Forum also discuss locking failures and bellows work. Ask any seller how the leg locks in reverse, when bellows were last changed, and what spare parts they carry.
Noise and flex underway. YachtSite quotes Mark Baummer of SV Argo on underway noise: “it's annoying, but you get used to it.” The same writeup reports hull and bulkhead flex that the designer described as normal racking relief. Buyers who expect a rigid, quiet yacht will be disappointed.
What to check on survey and sea trial
Use owner reports as questions for a survey and sea trial. They are not a diagnosis, and they do not replace a surveyor who knows Geminis.
- Gelcoat and structure: map crazing; check hull-deck joint, bulkheads and any prior tabbing repairs.
- Decks and core: moisture-meter hatches, stanchions and chainplates on the balsa-cored deck. Soft spots are a deal issue.
- Centerboards and rudders: operation, bushings, and condition of older wood or composite boards.
- Drive leg or outboard: lock in forward and reverse, bellows, steering lines, oil, and parts availability. Budget for a spare bellows kit or an outboard conversion path.
- Buoyancy compartments: confirm sealed tanks and inspection access. Owners and YachtSite flag this as a certification and safety detail.
- Wiring and plumbing: plan for hard-to-reach looms; test pumps, fridge and LPG systems carefully.
- Sea trial: slam in a short chop, pointing with boards down, and marina handling with the single drive.
We do not invent failure rates. If a seller cannot show service history, budget for unknown deferred maintenance.
Gemini 105MC specs
| Item | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Model | Gemini 105MC (convertible cockpit evolution of the 105M) | YachtSite Gemini 105 review |
| Approx. LOA | About 34 ft (10.5 m class) | YachtSite; SpinSheet lineage |
| Beam | 14' | YachtSite; SpinSheet used-boat review |
| Draft (boards up) | About 18" | CatamaranSite owner interview; SpinSheet |
| Draft (boards down) | About 4'9" (SpinSheet on Gemini boards) | SpinSheet |
| Hull / deck | Solid FRP hull; balsa-cored decks | SpinSheet; YachtSite |
| Typical power | Outboard, or Westerbeke diesel on Sillette drive leg | YachtSite; CatamaranSite |
| Owner-reported speeds | Cruise about 7.5 kn; owner max about 11 kn (lake) | CatamaranSite interview summary / Eric |
| Production note | 105M mid-1990s; 105MC ~2004; 105 production ended early 2010s | YachtSite |
Confirm every figure against the specific hull’s documentation. Layout and power packages vary across years.
Gemini 105MC boats for sale on Worldwide Yachtsman
2010 Gemini 105MC "Oracle"
Green Cay Marina, St Croix
2008 Gemini 105MC "Luffin Life"
Marina Tropical
2010 GEMINI Gemini 105MC
Gulfport, Mississippi
Contact the listing broker through the listing page for current availability and sea trials.
Also see: Gemini boats for sale.
FAQ
Is the Gemini 105MC a good boat?
Owners who want a shallow-draft coastal cat that fits a normal slip and a monohull budget generally say yes, if they accept DIY maintenance. People who want a turnkey bluewater cat or zero gelcoat crazing should look elsewhere.
What are common Gemini 105MC problems?
Owner interviews and used-boat writeups flag gelcoat crazing, flexing decks, bridgedeck slamming when overloaded, balsa-core deck moisture if hardware is neglected, centerboard issues on older boards, and Sillette drive-leg maintenance plus scarce parts. Hire a surveyor who knows Geminis.
How shallow does a Gemini 105MC draft?
With centerboards and rudders up, owners and used-boat reviews cite about 18 inches of draft. Boards down add several feet. Confirm the figure on the specific boat's documentation.
What should I pay for a Gemini 105MC?
The listings on this page show current asking prices. When this guide was written in October 2026, the three Gemini 105MC boats on Worldwide Yachtsman were asking $79,000 to $149,000, for 2008 to 2010 hulls. Condition, drive leg, refit work and location move the price as much as year.
Who is the Gemini 105MC for?
Couples and small families who want coastal and Great Loop cruising, skinny water and marina-friendly beam, and who are willing to maintain a boat built to a price.
Sources
Every quote on this page comes from a public page, linked beside it, fetched on 2026-10-19.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| CatamaranSite: Gemini 105 MC Review and Owner Interview (S/V Kid Cat) | Owner pros and cons (Eric) |
| YachtSite: Gemini 105 Review | Model history, wish list, Baummer noise quote |
| SpinSheet: Gemini Catamarans Used Boat Review | Construction, draft, slam warning |