Newbie w/ Venture 222

[UseDaGreyMatter]

Hi

I am in the process of buying a Venture 222, Hope to have delivery the later part of this month or first part of next month. Have a pot load of questions .

I am trying to avoid having to buy those 1 pound propane cans. Has any one installed a 5 gal propane tank on a V 222? if so where did you put it?
Has any one tried using an electric trolling motor on this model? If so what is the right size as far as how much thrust do I need?


Thanks
Smooth Seas
Barb

[cookwithgas]

Have a pot load of questions .

Barb:

I hope you end up with the boat. It is a great boat to sail and work on. I purchased a 1977 Venture 222 early this summer and have learned a lot, with this being my first relatively large, heavy sailboat. I also had a "boat-load" of questions at that point.



My boat came with an electric start 8HP 4-stroke monster. I struggled with this motor all summer but decided it was too big and heavy for me to lift and install each time we went out. I replaced it with a smaller, lighter, 4hp, pull-start outboard. Getting the boat out of the marina or away from the launch is not a problem even with trolling motor, but you may run into trouble when coming back into the launch. You need some power to slow you down- the main issue would be the wind. I was surprised at how much the wind pushes the mast and rigging with the sails down. A stiff cross wind or tail wind will give you trouble. I sometimes have to aim far right of the dock where I load up my boat and get reverse ready a boat-length away from the dock or I'll miss and have to start over. This is a huge deal to some impatient, intoxicated power boaters coming in after dark at the end of a long day.

Concerning the propane tanks - I use the small canisters because they tend to rust quickly on the boat. In fact anything that is not stainless or aluminum rusts on my boat and I sail in fresh water and keep the boat trailered! A big tank will rust just as bad and I would have to throw away a big one just as I had to throw away all the extra's I brought aboard thinking I could store them on the boat. Not to mention the hole I would have to drill to get to the cooker.

Another tip - you are probably going to go through a "pot-load" of stainless steel screws, bolts and nuts so find a supplier like Fastenall or locate the stainless section of your Home Depot. I bought 2" screws and nuts in bulk thinking I would never use them all and before I knew it I was buying another bag. I have been told there is a supplier in Dallas that sells stainless nuts and bolts by the pound. One last thing - keep a notepad on the boat so you can make notes of things you want to "tweak" after each sailing trip. I fill up a sheet every time I go out.

Good luck!

Aubrey Scott in Texas

[UseDaGreyMatter]

Well I bought the V 22. It is in my drive way and as temps permits I am working on her. As predicted I have a boat load of questions. Keep in mind this is not only a new to me V 22 but I'm a complete newbie in regard to sailing.
I have been keeping a running log ( more or less) about what I'm doing and or planing to do but could really use some help on things that are specific to Venture 22.
The part that starts with the V 22 is at:
http://thetoydiybyagirl.blogspot.com/20 ... -boat.html
So far I have not sailed it. Also I am looking for tow vehicle. That brings up the question of what is the smallest vehicle to use. The title says she is almost 2800 pounds empty but I don't know if that is just the boat or included trailer weight. I need to go with the most economical vehicle I can so I am thinking a 6 cylinder pick up or van.

First and foremost. I'm reasonably sure the sails are not made for this boat. The main sails has partial battens, one is missing. I did some research and what I read was the design of the sail is not affected by the battens. can I use the main sail with no battens? Ive tried finding answers to this and nothing specific on that topic at all.

second, does anyone have honest to gosh made for the v 22 sails and if so can you please send me the measurements so I can compare. New sails are not in the budget for a while but I'd like to know so if possible I can re-cut and resew the sails I have .

Also she has a LOT of spidering around the chain plates in the gel boat above cabin. I am wanting to reinforce that area under deck plate and on hull as a way to prevent this from happening again. has any one done this and if so how did you do it? I am seriously considering making really long "patches" of multiple layers of fiberglass the correct width and epoxying them to the areas in question the entire length of the boat.


Other then those two issues and the rudder which I am planning on redoing. she looks pretty good ( to me) as far as "big" issues.
right now we have the mast and boom put up to keep the tarp from chafing on them. There are a lot of drill holes that I need to fill so she is tarped to keep her insides dry. but I have posted a LOT Of pics on the blog. Also I am going to be need to get some blocks for boom vang and hold down main sail but other then that she looks ok.

No motor as yet, I'm not sure if I'm going to get one or not. I'm thinking about a 35 to 50 pound thrust trolling motor just to put her at a dock but have not made a final decision on that yet.

also is the question of poly or epoxy to do the fiberglass with ?
for the record no we have not had a chance to drop the keel to look at it.

any and all help would be appreciated as I am, learning as I go.


Smooth Seas UseDaGreyMatter

[UseDaGreyMatter]

OH also need winch handles.


UseDaGreyMatter

http://thetoydiybyagirl.blogspot.com/20 ... -boat.html

[anthony]

I have a Venture 25, boat weighs about 2200lbs and another800-1000lbs for the trailerI figure that with the boat loaded with all the nessecities and the back of my 2001 Pontiac Aztec V6,3.4lt front wheel drive loaded with the motor and tools etc etc etc, I figure I have about 3200-3500lbs on as additional weight. The truck pulls it no problem, my problem is that were I launch and retreave the boat its all gravel, I can launch no problem but need a truck with 4wheel drive to pull her out. Thats next on my list of things to buy.
As for winch handles if your boat has the original winches on board then all I can offer is good hunting, they are pretty hard to find though I'm sure some people might have a suggestion as to were to look. I though who sail in a harbour that is open to the ocean rarely use my winches. Just a few turns around the winch to help hold the sheet and then cleat it off.

Have fun and enjoy the boat, they a lot of fun to work on and most of all sail.

Anthony

[Catigale]

Grey matter... Scratch that FG repair job off your list. I bet you don't have a structural issue there at the chain plates at all. Hulls flex (let's not start that thread again please ) and the stiff gelcoat cracks or at least spiders when that happens. The FG structure underneath is fine, I'm sure.

[gedaggett]

You and I are in the same boat. I just got a 73 venture 222 and I am in the process of refurbishing her. I might be able to share some experience with you as I go. I have a thread on another forum to chronicle the work I am doing. If you are interested I can post a link. Good luck with the boat and I hope to see pics of it on the water soon.

Gary

[Catigale]

Barb - please heed the advice on propane from Aubrey above, especially if you are new to boating.

Propane is a safe fuel used prudently - otherwise it wouldnt be allowed in backyard BBQs of course. However boating brings several other factors into play which make it much more dangerous (motion/vibration, corrosion, and containment of any leakage in the bilge).

An onboard, below deck propane system in a boat costs about 1000 USD, consisting of an isolated chamber vented to the outside, a shut off solenoid, special plumbing, and gas CO detectors....

[UseDaGreyMatter]

Gary please post the link. I'm all ear on any thing I can learn.
Am still wondering if anyone has info on minimum thrust and shaft length on a trolling motor.

[Catigale]

I'm guessing you are lake sailing from Pennsylvania (being the bottom of the Midwest )

Pretty much any motor will get you off the dock of a lake. A small 2 HP equivalent trolling motor will work fine That us an expensive way to go after batteries, though. A 6 HP kicker would let you go in big rivers in a year or two, for less money !!

Don't worry about the battens for season one.. They will help your Sail shape when you get to sailing but they aren't essential.

... And all Admirals named Barb sail well. I'm married to one

[gedaggett]

Here is that post. Currently working on a rudder rebuild. It is a great forum. My screen name is the same there.

http://www.anything-sailing.com/showthr ... nky+monkey

As fart as the motor goes i am going to be slapping on a 8 - 10hp outboard on her. I am going to be sailing southeast Lake Michigan and want something that I a can really push through the wind and waves.

[Muntasel]

This site might be helpful: http://www.wadler.org It lists Sails dimensions for all the MacGregor/Venture models. I just rediscovered it hidden in the many favourites of my browser as I am also looking for a Jib fo my V2-22.
Good Luck!

[UseDaGreyMatter]

This site might be helpful: http://www.wadler.org It lists Sails dimensions for all the MacGregor/Venture models. I just rediscovered it hidden in the many favourites of my browser as I am also looking for a Jib fo my V2-22.
Good Luck!

Thanks

[Hamin' X]

This site and many others, are available under the Resources heading at the top of the page. Wadler's is under Sailing Links=>Personal Mac Pages. There is a wealth of information provided by the Macgregor Sailors website. Explore and enjoy.

~Rich

[UseDaGreyMatter]

This site and many others, are available under the Resources heading at the top of the page. Wadler's is under Sailing Links=>Personal Mac Pages. There is a wealth of information provided by the Macgregor Sailors website. Explore and enjoy.

~Rich

I found that and your right, thanks

Barb