Which MacGregor/Venture did I buy?

[Allred]

Newbie ust bought a MacGregor/Venture project, seller did not know the model, but thought it was 22 - 24 feet. I could not find a hull number, or other identification anywhere.

Could someone view the photos at this link;

http://rallred.smugmug.com/Sports/MacGr ... 4419_45VDS

and help me identify what it is that I bought? Any distinguishing features, or hidden hull numbers I should look for?


Thanks in advance

Allred
bobATallreds.net change AT to @

[TAW02]

While I cannot say for sure, this one looks like a 22. But can't say for sure. Never owned one. Did own a 25 though and can tell you that this sloop is in great shape. Needs cleaning and some elbow grease ... perhaps some hardware, but all in all it looks great, including the trailer.

What concerns me though is the second to the last photo where you see the space beneath the cockpit. There you see the keel winch. Notice that it is mounted to the bottom of the hatchway which is in a real sense mounted to the cockpit floor. If this sloop has a keel made of cast iron and weighs more than a few hundred pounds then that weight will be supported by the winch mount. In my old 25 there was a bulkhead of solid wood to support the floor and winch base area. That should be in place, otherwise you will see fiberglass fractures around where the winch bolts to the lower hatchway.

Otherwise if it doesn't leak like a seive, you got a great deal!

Big T

[MD Dunaway]

Measure the length bow to transom. That will help. Most Macs have the SN on the transom on the right side. It is Stamped or moulded in so it may be hard to see if it has been painted over. I think it is a Venture 222. That is the only model that I know of that has the "cut out" on the left transom (until the later water ballasted boats).

[ChockFullOnuts22]

That looks like a 1969-72 or so Venture 22. It is not the 2-22, because there appears to be no pop-top, and the cabin is too short. The 2-22, with the pop-top, had a slightly longer cabin---to make room for the head to be up forward, I'm guessing.

It looks like it's in good shape, good luck on the project!

P.S. : Keel on this boat is steel encapsulated in fiberglass, not cast iron. Ballast is something like 450-500lbs. Two things to be sure of: 1) In agreement with what was said above, make sure that the winch is mounted to the bottom of the hatchway "step", not the cockpit floor. 2) Check the fiberglass on the keel for damage. Repair any cracks---epoxy recommended over polyester. Don't let it go; if the keel is delaminating, the rust and delamination will get a lot worse (especially if in salt water).

*Edit* - I took another look at your pictures, and the keel winch looks like it is actually mounted correctly, in the correct location.

Another recommendation is to inspect the keel pivot bolt. Earlier Ventures used a 1/2" bolt that ends up bending into a shallow "U" shape over time. If you have the smaller bolt, upgrade to the 5/8" pivot bolt. Very easy refit to do.

[Lloyd Franks]

It's not a 24. The keel winch on the 24 is in the cockpit, not in the cabin.

[Allred]

Thanks to those who responded to my question. I measured the hull over-all length, it is a 22 footer. Sail number shows class marker as V 22 , and sail # 693 . The sail is so soft & worn, I wouldn't be surprised it it is origninal. I haven't yet been able to spot the hull number but will be crawling around inside again in the next day or so, and will see if I can spot "drilled in" numbers in the hull stringers.

Several of you included photos of boats with the motor well. Apparantly it wasa feature or option on early boats, along with the aft cockpit lazerette. Funny how this feature came back on the 26D & 26S.

I've been fooling with sail boats off and on for 15 years or so. Had a Catalina 22 for awhile, and then a Pintail 14. Both now sold. I also have a Lido 14 and a Sunfish currently. The Lido needs some refurbishment, and now I have the V 22 to think about. I'll be a busy old geezer for the next few months!

I'm new to the forum, and look forward to taking part. I hope I can contribute something useful now and then as well as benefit from the experience of other MacGregor/Venture owners here.

Thanks again


Allred
Riverton, Utah

[ChockFullOnuts22]

It is definitely a Venture 22.

Motor well / cutout in the transom signifies that the boat is 1969 to 1973-4 in manufacture. Lack of a pop-top, along with the shorter cabin, signifies that it is a Venture 22 and not the 2-22.

[MD Dunaway]

Yea you are right, I missed that, it definitely doesn't have the pop top.