Well I bought myself a project to get back into sailing. I have purchased what I believe to be a 1973 Venture 23 from the hull number MACN01510273. It came on a trailer and with a mast and thats about it. The mast is not for this boat it is only 25' and the M-23 has a 28' mast so I know I am basically starting with a clean slate. All the old equipment that I have is a rudder that will need replaced but I at least have a pattern to go off with the old one and it has the outboard motor mount still attached to the hull. Other than those items I have essentially a bare hull no rigging equipment or interior. I am looking for any help I can get to figure out how the rigging looked I know it was cutter rigged with a main and 2 jibs. Also any help with what the interior configuration looked like so I can begin to restore this cool old boat. Thanks in advance for any help
Bought a Venture 23 hull
- Thread starter Seymore04
- Start date
- Status
HEINZIR
.
- Jan 22, 2008
- 198
Do you enjoy restoring old boats (I do) or did you buy this because you want to sail (I like sailing also).
The reason I ask is this.... You are going to spend a lot of money buying a mast, boom, cleats, winches, cams, blocks, sails, outboard etc. (many thousands of dollars) to get this boat ready to sail and you could buy a Mac 25D or S or a Mac V22-2 for less than $3K with every thing you need to sail today... including a working outboard
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SEAF...200747386359?pt=Sailboats&hash=item2ebd7a05f7
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cata...110862531587?pt=Sailboats&hash=item19cfebfc03
You might want to sell the hull (keep the trailer) and go shopping. Having a trailer will open up more opportunities for snatching that great deal. For instance I picked up another project boat (a Rhodes 22) with a brand new mainsail, all rigging, (interior is shot) for $250. But I had a trailer so I could make that deal work for me. I'm working on this one now and sailing my Mac22 in the meantime.
The reason I ask is this.... You are going to spend a lot of money buying a mast, boom, cleats, winches, cams, blocks, sails, outboard etc. (many thousands of dollars) to get this boat ready to sail and you could buy a Mac 25D or S or a Mac V22-2 for less than $3K with every thing you need to sail today... including a working outboard
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SEAF...200747386359?pt=Sailboats&hash=item2ebd7a05f7
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cata...110862531587?pt=Sailboats&hash=item19cfebfc03
You might want to sell the hull (keep the trailer) and go shopping. Having a trailer will open up more opportunities for snatching that great deal. For instance I picked up another project boat (a Rhodes 22) with a brand new mainsail, all rigging, (interior is shot) for $250. But I had a trailer so I could make that deal work for me. I'm working on this one now and sailing my Mac22 in the meantime.
I've had Mac's before, but my absolute favorite is that Venture Newport.. the classic lines and cutter rig with bow spirit really set it apart from all the others and really can't be compared against any of them. IIRC, the factory only produced them one month out of each year because of the different tooling needed, and I would consider it perhaps the best of the MacGregor breed. I almost bought one that was in similar condition but wound up passing on it because it had been too neglected for far too long. A quick Google will turn up quite a bit of information about those boats in addition to the yahoo group that Henry posted above. Good luck.. and we want to see pictures; before, during and after! Here is one that you can use as your goal:
(found at http://homepage.mac.com/appleseed/VN23/Welcome.html)
Cheers,
Brad
(found at http://homepage.mac.com/appleseed/VN23/Welcome.html)
Cheers,
Brad
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my boat
I do have sails that are a little rough but still stiff would benefit from a good cleaning. I dont have a boom but seeing as it was not the correct mast I wasn't concerned. Additional to that im fairly certain the sails came with the mast when previous owner purchased so again not for this boat. I am hopping to sell these items at some point to support the upgrades. To answer the reasons about purchasing this boat was a combination of reasons I love sailing first off. Second I really do enjoy working on things this will be my first boat restoration but have experience with cars and many different wood working projects. Third a project allows me to spend money on it somewhat slowly a number of small investments is easier for me financially that the outright $3-4K. I have been looking into the bigger expenses such as the mast and sails but am finding it a little difficult to get specific mast and sail dimensions to begin to price these items. I also understand the rest of the rigging and deck hardware will be pricey but being able to buy these pieces slowly is best and in the end to have the satisfaction knowing I built it and did it the way I liked it. This site is great and I also joined the Yahoo group and am currently perusing what they have to offer and it seems to be a treasure trove of info.
I do have sails that are a little rough but still stiff would benefit from a good cleaning. I dont have a boom but seeing as it was not the correct mast I wasn't concerned. Additional to that im fairly certain the sails came with the mast when previous owner purchased so again not for this boat. I am hopping to sell these items at some point to support the upgrades. To answer the reasons about purchasing this boat was a combination of reasons I love sailing first off. Second I really do enjoy working on things this will be my first boat restoration but have experience with cars and many different wood working projects. Third a project allows me to spend money on it somewhat slowly a number of small investments is easier for me financially that the outright $3-4K. I have been looking into the bigger expenses such as the mast and sails but am finding it a little difficult to get specific mast and sail dimensions to begin to price these items. I also understand the rest of the rigging and deck hardware will be pricey but being able to buy these pieces slowly is best and in the end to have the satisfaction knowing I built it and did it the way I liked it. This site is great and I also joined the Yahoo group and am currently perusing what they have to offer and it seems to be a treasure trove of info.
Check gear ads under classified on this forum, there is a mac 25 mast and boom I think that it is the same size as the Venture 23.
Fred
Fred
I'm sailing my project boat, which means I don't do as much too it as I would like. I have a theory that what would be best is have two boats, one to sail and one to fix up, then sell the sailing one when the fixer up is ready, and start the cycle over. Now if I could just quite my day job...
I looked at the mast suggested on here and the M-25 did have a 28' mast as best I can tell so I have contacted that poster about it. My question is if anyone knows whether the mounting foot is the same on the 2 boats? Thanks the people on this site have been so helpful its great!
I do not believe the MacGregor 25 was cutter rigged but I searched and there are a few people who have made this modification to their boat. With the info online I dont believe it will be an impossible mod but thank you for the tip. Does anyone have an opinion about the best place to find the deck rigging for the 23?
'deck rigging for the 23?' ?? mine is sloop rigged and am willing to measure and photo items but don't think it will help much for cutter rig if that's what you are trying to do?
I was hopping to cutter rig it but if you have photos of your interior that would be hugely helpful.
VN 23 hull
I also have a 73 Venture of Newport 23 similar in shape to yours. I started off with your idea of completely renovating it, but along the way I lucked into a 77 VN 23 and bought her instead. I will eventually get around to working on my 73, and if you want I can send you pictures of my rigging. I am learning more everytime I sail her. If you live anywhere near Des Moines Iowa, you are welcome come for a look in person. I have learned much in my search for parts, let me know if you have any more questions. Good luck, you made a very good choice with a VN23.
John
515-339-4241
Seymore04,
I also have a 73 Venture of Newport 23 similar in shape to yours. I started off with your idea of completely renovating it, but along the way I lucked into a 77 VN 23 and bought her instead. I will eventually get around to working on my 73, and if you want I can send you pictures of my rigging. I am learning more everytime I sail her. If you live anywhere near Des Moines Iowa, you are welcome come for a look in person. I have learned much in my search for parts, let me know if you have any more questions. Good luck, you made a very good choice with a VN23.
John
515-339-4241
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