Frequently asked
Easily answered
What do you want to know?
We hear lots of questions every day. We try to answer them all asap.
The single most important thing you can do to ensure you have a smooth, successful order with us is to CHECK YOUR SIZES. A surprisingly high proportion of orders are returned to us because folks don’t double check the size of the tubing they already have and end up ordering the wrong items.
If you have questions you don’t see answered here, just call or email us, and we’ll get back to you right away.
Click a topic to see relevant Q&Z below:
Shopping with us
– Do you have free shipping?
We try to keep our price per item as low as we can, then charge for shipping on each complete order. This means every customer gets the best price for the items they want to buy and a fair price on shipping their order. It also means everyone can choose the shipping method and carrier that works best for them, without having to pay extra for the people who want next day air carrier service to the South Pacific.
No shipping is free. Companies offering “free” shipping bury shipping costs in the top-line price of the items they sell. We don’t think this is fair to anyone, and could leave customers ordering many pieces an inflated shipping bill instead of just paying what it costs to get the items.
– Do I have to pay extra for tariffs?
Gemini Marine Products has been paying US tariffs since they first came into effect in 2018. So far we have NOT added these costs to the prices our customers pay. However, we are a small company, and tariff rates keep going up, so we are not sure what the future holds for us.
We know that some countries may be charging new tariffs of their own (or normal customs duties) on incoming shipments from the US. We have no control over these charges, and if you are told you owe them, you will have to pay them to your customs officials before they give you your package.
– How do I order?
The best way to order is to simply add the items you need to your cart directly from any product page on this site. When you’ve finished shopping, you can choose your shipping method and pay securely by checking out from your cart.
You can phone us with any questions before you order to ensure you purchase the correct items.
– What is your return/exchange process?
Our standard return window is 30 days. To return or exchange items, please contact us to let us know, then send them to us here at 50 Tillson Ave, Rockland, ME 04841. Be sure to insure the parcel and keep your tracking number, as we will not be responsible for items lost in transit.
When we receive your items, we will check to ensure they are unused and have all parts included. We will then issue a refund for returns or a new invoice for exchanges after subtracting a restocking fee. See our full return/exchange policy here.
– Didn’t I see these items cheaper somewhere else?
We have a deliberate policy of permitting our network of distributors to keep their prices below ours to help boost their sales. It is entirely possible you can get a better deal elsewhere, but remember: our distributors don’t always carry our full range of products.
You can see your retail and wholesale distributors here.
Concave post and fork concave rail mounts
– How do I attach the concave post or fork mounts to my frame?
We use a #10 tap and then use 10 x 24 screws up to 1/4″ long. You do not need to throughbolt, but it won’t hurt anything if you do.
– I see fork mounts in other stores, how are these different?
If you look closely, our fork are orientated at 90 degrees to others. This means you can attach tubing running perpendicular to existing tubing frames (rather than parallel).
– How tall is the post?
The 7/8″ and 1″ post mounts give about 1 1/4″ of lift above existing frame tubing. The 1 1/4″ posts lift about 1″ above canvas.
Split and sliding side mounts
– How tall is the post?
The 7/8″ and 1″ post mounts gives about 1 1/4″ of lift above existing frame tubing. The 1 1/4″ posts lift about 1″ above canvas.
– Which is better, split or sliding?
It depends.
Our sliding side mounts are excellent for holding solar panels or accessories IF you have access to the ends of your tubing to slide them on. They WILL NOT go around bends, so if you have a straight line from the end of your tubing to the place you want to put the mount, sliding mounts are a great option.
Our split side mounts are perfect for all kinds of jobs, including holding items you want to be able to remove. They will hold anywhere on your canvas frame – even right on a bend.
– Why do you sell these with/without hex bolts?
These offset mount are designed with solar panels in mind. While a normal Philips head screw is the standard in the top post, we can also supply them with a shorter hex heed bolt. These are much easier to access up under a solar panel.
Kits – Grab rails and strapless bimini conversions
– How do your kits work?
We gathered together all the pieces you need and made kits so you can to make either a grab rail or to convert you bimini to strapless. We even knocked a bit off the price to encourage folks along.
You just need to make some choices:
– You need to know the size of your existing tubing – 7/8″ or 1″
– Then you need to decide if you want solid or folding struts
– For a strapless bimini, you need to choose either a 3′ or a 6′ kit, depending on how big your bimini frame is. All grab rail kits are 3′ long.
Once you know what you need, you’re good to order.
– Do I need a pro to install your kits?
We designed our kits to be easy for anyone to install. If you choose carefully, you don’t even need any power tools.
We put full instructions in our handy downloadable guides and a video, too:
– Strapless bimini conversion guide (pdf)
– Strapless bimini conversion video
– Grab rail installation guide (pdf)
Using DrillSteady
Can I use DrillSteady on different sizes of tubing?
Yes. DrillSteady is designed to be used with tubing from 3/4″ to 1 1/4″ OD (19.05mm – 31.75mm). Just use the thumbscrews to clamp it to your tubing and you’re ready to drill.
What size drill bits can I use with DrillSteady?
DrillSteady takes a 9/64″ (3.5mm) drill bit, which can accommodate a #8 screw. If you need to use a larger screw (for instance, to attach concave post mounts), DrillSteady is an excellent tool for making a guide hole that you can then expand to suit your needs.
