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Gemini Projects by Peter Kennedy Yacht Services |
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| Launch day for Gemini # 808 "Cat's Away" |
Other Projects
Bilge pumps
Cell phone antennas
Internet access
Satellite phone
SSB radios.
TV antennas
Deck shower
Cockpit speakers
Extra sockets
What's your project...?
| Bilge pumps We often get asked about bilge pumps on Gemini's. Very few Gemini's have them. It is possible to install them, for example Gemini # 808 has a pair of 1100 GPH Rule pumps and we just put a pair of Atwood 750 pumps on Gemini #969. As the Gemini doesn't have any stuffing box to leak there is seldom water in the bilge. The flat bottom is not conducive to pumping out any small amounts that get in the bilge from spills or rainwater and these are best dealt with using a sponge. For serious offshore trips an emergency pump might be appropriate. A suitable portable model is the Edson portable pump kit #165 |
| Cell phone antennas: We have installed these on occasion. Modern phones operate on such high frequencies that signal loss in the antenna cable becomes a big issue and cable length is normally limited to 20ft which isn't really long enough to mount them on the spreaders. Consequently any such antennas normally get mounted on the stern rail. The antenna provides some gain over the standard antenna and so signal quality can be improved but because of the height of the antenna the increase in range is not significant. The Shakespeare 5237 is an example of such an antenna. |
| Internet access This is a hot ticket item these days. Internet access is easily available inshore with a laptop computer and a PCS card such as the Sprint Wireless card by Novatel. Offshore is a bit more difficult. Full satellite internet access has been much talked about for several Gemini's but hasn't been installed to date. Products such as TracNet by KVH are possible if a little large for a Gemini and there are several competitors. Email by SSB is possible also using services like Sailmail. It is almost free and works worldwide although it is slow and data capacity is limited. |
| Satellite phone Satellite phones can be easily installed on Geminis. We have installed the Globalstar phone but found that service can be slow and spotty. |
| SSB radio We have installed SSB radios a number of times on Gemini's. The preferred model these days is the ICOM M802 SSB radios require an insulated backstay antenna and a copper sheet ground plane which normally goes under the floor liner in the lazarette. Other SSB and Ham radios can be installed but models with a remote display are preferred because of the difficulty of finding a convenient mounting location for a large self contained unit. |
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TV antennas The Raymarine 45STV is a fully tracking antenna system that can give pictures at anchor or even underway. A budget way of getting satellite TV at the dock is to get a regular DirectTV mini dish antenna and fix it to a dock piling
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| Deck
Shower We have done a number of hot and cold transom mounted showers which have been quite successful. Ask for details. |
| Cockpit
speakers We did a very successful installation this year of some heavy duty cockpit speakers so if you are interested in a serious sound system let me know and I will give you all the details. |
| Extra Sockets One project we are always being asked to do is add additional sockets, both AC and DC ones, for searchlights, chargers, and all kinds of additional equipment. |
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| Photo courtesy of Paul Harding
Gemini #808 "Cat's Away" http://www.safariseaplanes.com |
"Peter, thanks for all the quality work and the way you conducted the business (frequent status, finish on time, etc.). I definitely have your number in our sailing section of Outlook for next time!
Have a good Spring, Ken"
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Peter Kennedy Yacht Services Located in Annapolis MD USA
we are open
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