November 2012 - Gemini Gems

Shrink Wrapping a Gemini
1– Choose whether you want to remove sails or leave them in place.
2– If you choose to leave the sails in place, run foam padding over sail
cover and around genoa . This helps protect them from the heat.
3– To start running your strapping, take it from your high point at the
mast and run forward to the base of the furling. Then you want to
spread it around on the foredeck under the railings and first set of stanchions.
For the sides you want to tie the strapping off on one side at
the bottom of the stanchion and then run it over the boom to the same
stanchion base on the opposing side. Continue until you get to the
stern. Once you reach the stern you will tie your strapping to the end of
the boom and run the strapping across to the bottom of the railings.
Determine where you are going to install the door so you don't run
strapping across that area. We usually recommend putting the door at the
starboard stern steps. This is so with the boat on land you can access the
boat with the swim ladder. You then have the steps to stand on while unzipping
the doorway. You may have your boat on a lift, in the water or on
the hard so placement of the door could vary with each Gemini.
Materials:
By: Steve Pitman
Shrink Wrap— 40ft wide X 45 ft long
Strapping—at least 100 ft
Tape—4 rolls
Step 3: Run your strapping
Notice the cuts that allow the wrap to wrap around the stanchions.
Wrapping around the stanchions builds the risk of
bending them.
4– You now want to start pulling the shrink wrap over the
boat. You will need to cut a slot to pull it over the boom and
around the mast. Once you get it pulled from bow to stern you will
use your shrink wrap tape to seal that cut. You then need to take
your time and cut slots for the standing rigging and genoa. As you
get these cut and tapped back up, you will be cutting the width and
tapping it off to the bottom side of the rubrail. Make sure to cut
and install venting fittings, ideally 2 vents per side.
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