MacGregorSailors.com

Well, i have sold my Mac 26 which we raced for several years and the 1979 V-23 which a gent found in a barn out in the desert is up and racing. The two forestays were replaced by one about half way out the bowsprit up to 15/16ths hoist. This is a much larger jib. The upwind Jib has full battens at top and a full roach with slight overlap of the mast. The mainsail is almost sq top as though it has a gaff top. This hangs back much past the backstay and requires running backs. A genoa is used for tight reaching and asy spinnaker for offwind. The jib cars are on ball bearing tracks with adj blocks and we ease the jib cars aft when overpowered just like a traveler. She looks great under sail and we are already able to win races.
Mike Imon

I always thought the Venture 23 was a great looking boat, and always wondered how they sailed. What kind of a phrf did they give you?

Richard

Wheres the pics?

Hi Mike.

Congrats on the new boat!.

I have always wanted to have a collection of each of the Macs produced. Most of them are pretty affordable to purchase and it would be kind of fun to bring them back to factory condition.

Of course, the only two that would prove troublesome would be the 36' cat and the 65.

You don't see many of the cats around and having a 65 in storage in Colorado would sure be strange.

Art

Congratulations on a great boat! We really need to see some pictures!

Check out the Venture 23 owners' group at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/venturenewport/ It would be great if you could post some pictures there too.

I have owned my 1974 Venture of Newport for over 30 years and I can tell you that she they are very fast, even with the stock rig. I regularly blow by the newer Macgregors and have no trouble passing other boats my size and larger. The day before I pulled Chiquita out for the winter I blasted by a Catalina 25, Catalina 22, Mac 26M, and a brand new Beneteau 30! It's a real kick to sail circles around more modern boats in a boat with a rig out of the 1890s! I believe the Venture 23 has the enlarged underbody of the 21 combined with the interior accommodations of the 22-24-25.




This picture was taken from a 26M as I was overtaking her. My jib is luffing because I'm trying to slow down to chat.



Henry
Chiquita
http://sports.webshots.com/slideshow/230613770IXBurv

Henry,
Chiquita is an absolutely beautiful Boat. Youve got to be retired to keep up all that bright work.

I have to ask though, How did you dismast it? and how did you sink it.?

I guess over the course of 30 years a lot can happen.

I agree. I can't post pics like that without a story to go along with them.


Pete

Thanks guys,

I wish I was retired but I have about 8 years to go. Right now I am working full time and raising 3 grandkids.

The story of Chiquita's sinking is posted on the Venture 23 site http://groups.yahoo.com/group/venturenewport/ in the files section under Chiquita. It is a pdf file. I couldn't figure out how to post it here.

Although the rig of the Newport is different than that of other Ventures, many parts and systems are the same. I think it would be beneficial for Venture 21, 22, 24, and 25 owners to check out the VN23 site for ideas and help.

Chiquita was dismasted at her mooring about 4 years ago by a drunken powerboater. It happened in the middle of the night; no one was aboard at the time. It was a hit and run. The guy was never caught. It cost me a new mast, some cosmetic repairs, and about a month of prime sailing time.

The story of the sinking is amazing to say the least. Talk about realizing your worst fears.

Brings home the importance of PFD,s and all the little safety measures you discussed