Comments on: Gemini Dragon Boats

By: Levi

Levi — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:55:35 +0000

I agree that wood is a pain. The only boat I’ve seen with no wood at all is from Mexico but it is not widely for sale as far as I know and its not on the IDBF list.
Here is the web site:
http://rainforestboats.com/galeriaotherboats.htm
You have to scroll down the picture gallery and upp pops a dragon boat.
Does anyone have any experience or comments on this boat?

By: Tyrone

Tyrone — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 02:04:40 +0000

Hi Levi,

I thought the same when I saw the pictures, as it looks like completely different materials. I am always concerned about wooden seats in Dragon Boats if they are not coated properly to make sure they are waterproof. But it’s the same with any type of wooden equipment.

All I can say is for clubs who own these boats to make sure they cover or store them in dry places when not in use.

Thanks for your feedback!

By: Levi

Levi — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 23:36:47 +0000

I checked the Gemini web site and indeed the boat has changed allot. But I have to say that it mimics the BuK boat introduced in 2005 with the way the seats are inserted and also the way the pedestals are under the seats in the middle. I guess imitation is the highest form of flattery. The flaw I see is that the wooden pedestal pieces will spend a considerable amount of time under water if the boat is stored outside and uncovered. This spells big trouble down the road.

By: Tyrone

Tyrone — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 00:45:22 +0000

Hi David,

Thanks for your comments on the Gemini Dragon Boats. The photos on your website look like different boats – more like the Champion and BuK boats. Though it’s very hard to see from photos without a close up of the boat’s manufacturer’s stamp on them. Has Gemini also change the way they manufacturer them because it looks like they’ve used different materials to make them.

Thanks.

By: David Robinson

David Robinson — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 10:09:55 +0000

Hi,

I have read the comments re the Gemini Dragon boats, we are a cancer charity based in England, we purchased two Gemini Dragon Boats in March of this year, they are international class racing boats and I must say we are thrilled by them, and others who have used them think so too. You can see many photographs of the boats at our website. http://www.paddlersforlife.co.uk

Obviously they are a different design to the ones you are showing, but we feel that Gemini desreve a better hearing that what is being given.

By: Tyrone

Tyrone — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 22:52:56 +0000

Hi Scott and Levi,

I totally agree with you and this why I wrote a post on these boats because they look very cheaply made and I haven’t seen anyone purchase them here from down under. Furthermore I am surprised how they managed to sell them and clubs buy them.. just wait till they get problems!

By: Levi

Levi — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 12:09:25 +0000

Gemini just didn’t do their homework before rushing to production a few years ago. Buyers also didn’t care since they were dumping them on the world market cheap in 2003 and 2004. They should be able to produce a better product going forward so we’ll see.

By: Scott

Scott — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 06:34:28 +0000

I’ve paddled these boats in Vancouver – they are by far the most horrible boats ever. especially since FCRCC converted the 11 row boat into a 10 row boat. those damn poles running the length of the gunwales are absolutely horrible.

on the plus side, the boat rewards good paddling – and punishes bad paddling.