How many MacGregor/Venture owners out there?

[technicalman]

Just bought my first Macgregor in July, a '69 MAC 17. She's a pleasure to sail and learn on. Very forgiving boat and a lot of fun.

[rob martin]

We bought our V224 hull #345 this year. Kept her moored at Neenah Harbor on Lake Winnebago. I was shopping for a Mac because of price but also because it seems they are some of the lightest and easiest to trailer, and I didn't want to be limited to one lake. Then we kept her at the mooring so that we could sail as often as possible! I still plan to trailer sail, we might even get into Green Bay before this season is out.

"Carpe Diem" was ready to sail, but of course we have a long list of improvements we would like to make: sails, sail controls, galley, poptop cover, electrical upgrade, maybe some lifelines? We'd like to make her a weekend cruiser.

I started out looking at the 26X and I still like them, but at this point I might consider the 26C or S as a replacement because I really do love the way the classics sail!

[heysteveh]

Just bought my 26S in April of this year, with a little help from this board. It is my first boat and my wife and I love it so far. We have day sailed about 8-10 times in Michigan on Lake St. Claire, Lake Erie and Lake Huron. Two weeks ago we made a long trip up to the North Channel of Lake Huron for our first overnight trip. We spent 3 days sailing and had a great time!

Originally, I wanted to get a 26X but the prices were a little more than I wanted to spend. I paid $5,500 for my 26S and at this point I am completely satisfied. The 26S is considerably lighter than the X which gives me more options for tow vehicles, and so far I have been much more interested in sailing then motoring the boat. I am extremely satisfied with my choice!!!

[Frank C]

Greetings all,
... but the clincher was getting on various MacGregor web sites and seeing what a great on-line community there is for these boats. I also like that I'm not castigated for sailing a 21 year old boat instead of the newest thing.

... The guys at WM love me already.

... Gotta say at some point there may be a Mac 26 in my future, but for now my wife and I are more than pleased with "Abby Normal".

Abby,

Congrats to both you and Steve. Yes, I love my 26X for the cabin size, and motoring at speed. No, don't think I'd ever go to a classic, but I do envy your more traditional sailboat style and performance. I frequently wonder if you classic owners don't have the last laugh. Welcome aboard!~!

[Bawgy]

I would like to talk to any of you that own or have owned a Venture 24 . I love my little boat and would like to talk to previous owners about sailing characteristics and mods they have dome please email me at


kennyluter at hotmail dot com

Mod note - edited email to prevent spam bots from grabbing it....

[ManassasPaul]

Was reading the posts regarding the rudder being in the water during backing up and maneuvering. I have a 1980 Mac 25, in which the rudder sticks out parellel to the waterline in the full up position(its completely immersed) Anyways I heard some dialogue regarding the IDA rudders and apparently Macgregor changed the design in '82 where the rudder stows completely up.

Anyways does anyone have any info regarding rigging to get the rudder out of the water when its up?

Trying to decide on the IDA upgrade.

[Abby Normal]

Not exactly completely up, it's more like 45 deg. to the water line. The up-haul/down-haul is clumsy in my opinion. To keep it from wind-vaning and to make it one less thing to think of prior to leaving the dock, I put an Ida-Sailor delrin stay pin in and leave it in the water. I've found that if I don't get the rudder located all the way down, it has terrible weather helm, and the prop wash from the motor makes it difficult to steer if it's not locked in.

FWIW, I'm planning on buying an Ida rudder blade this winter as I don't think the airfoil shape on the stock rudder is all that great (forgive me- ex-pilot).

[scottdr6]

Just bought my first sailboat! KATE DALE is an '83 Mac 21. Got to replace the trailer bunks and a few other small things before I sail her (ok, motor around maybe) for the first time.

[Abby Normal]

Hi Scott,

Welcome aboard! I hope you find the sailing manners of your Mac to be as well as I've found mine. I can't complain about the ease of handling and frequently sail single-handed. Now that I've been sailing her for about five to six weeks, I find that the simplicity of the boat is what I like best.

[Nevadacitybob]

I responded to the poll a couple months back, but never gave any details.
We bought an '84 Mac 25 3 years ago and camp on it during the warm weather. I think we were out 12 times this summer, all but one a camping trip. We sailed Invader ZIM on Lake Berryessa, Scotts Flat, Oroville, and Tahoe. All lakes in Northern California. Towed it about 600 miles to Big Bear Lake in So. Cal. last summer with no problems other than me over-greasing the bearings, blowing a seal and ruining the brake shoes (and yes, I had the spring-loaded bearing buddies). Some day when I have more confidence we will try the SF Bay, but for now Tahoe is "big water" to me.

[Bob McLellan]

I have just purchased a V2-22 for your survey. It won't be sailing for a while as it came from an auto junkyard and does not have a mast, keel, nor rudder. Oh such fun!

[James V]

COOL

It should give you something to do during the winter. If it has a swing keel, make sure your drop it and inspect.

[Tiny Tim]

I have had a 1990 26S since 2004.

Having sailed as a kid and then later as a young adult on a Laser and several windsurfers, I'd never been on a keelboat. This summer I did some club racing on a Niagara 31 and learned to appreciate the heavy racer-cruiser. It is definitely more comfortable in rough water. As a passenger I might choose to ride on the bigger boat given the choice.

As an owner though gimme the Mac. The cost difference on an ongoing basis is huge. Acquisition cost, mooring, haul-out, maintenance, storage...no comparison.

Performance wise the Mac is fast; especially in light air. It'll stand up to nasty weather too. In fact, in a heavy weather sail that I experienced on the Niagara, I don't think my Mac would have performed much differently.
Despite it's light weight, it is designed beautifully and as such, is built to last. That giant water tank makes a very rigid frame and being a triangular shape has tremendous strength.

The longest cruise we have done has been 7 days so far, and the longest tow 500 miles. It does everything I wanted it to.

When retirement comes we'd like to cruise a few months at a time in the Keys, Bahamas, Belize. Big question for us is whether we need another boat for that. The Mac has so much that we like: (floatation, centerboard, huge water reservoir, simplicity, pop-top, trailerability) that I hope we don't need anything else. Tight quarters, yes but it might work for us.

[James V]

Tiny Tim wrote -

When retirement comes we'd like to cruise a few months at a time in the Keys, Bahamas, Belize.

The Keys and Bahamas the Mac is a fine boat, getting to Belize may be a problem except by car unless Cuba upens up to us from the USA.

Sure and extra __ feet would be nice but so is a hotel room every so often.

[Tiny Tim]

James V wrote:

The Keys and Bahamas the Mac is a fine boat, getting to Belize may be a problem except by car unless Cuba upens up to us from the USA.

I think Keys and Bahamas will be OK too.

As a Canuck, I shouldn't have any issues with Cuba nor the Coast Guard.

My concern is the distance in the Florida straits. The current between Cuba and the Yucatan also is very strong and could present the biggest issue for getting to Belize.

2500 miles by road is also unappealing; but if time isn't an issue, it could be OK. I've been to Belize and like it.