I looking to purchase my first sailboat. Recently I found listed a 1972 MacGregor Venture 17'. I was wondering if anyone here knows anything about this boat such as: quality, layout, ease to sail, availability of parts, and potential problem areas. I posted this question on a local powereboating bored and recieved a few replies to stay away from MacGregor and if I was looking at that size of boat to go find an oday daysailer. Is there any truth to that statement? Thank you very much for your help.
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Let's talk about this
Brian, your question is a great one.I had many older boats and that's ok. I or we who lurk here on the forum can't know about the one used boat you're looking at. Older boats have problems of one kind or another. If you're looking for a project then look around and talk to boat owners who aren't selling something to you. If you're looking to sail, then look for something a little newer with good sails and equipment that you won't have to replace continually. Take some sailing lessons before you buy so you'll know what to look for. Go to a sailing marina and post a note that you will crew for experience. Something like a MacGregor 26S, D will be a great boat that you can get into for not a lot of money. A Catalina 22 would be a great used boat to start sailing with. Do look at many boats before you buy. I think you'll know it when you see it. Buy an older O'day and you'll spend lots of money. Same with an old Venture. If you're handy and love working on them rather than sail, go for it. I personally believe there are boat owners and sailors. Nothing against either but I'd rather be sailing than working on one. Keep asking those questions, someone here will know the answer. Steve P.
Brian, your question is a great one.I had many older boats and that's ok. I or we who lurk here on the forum can't know about the one used boat you're looking at. Older boats have problems of one kind or another. If you're looking for a project then look around and talk to boat owners who aren't selling something to you. If you're looking to sail, then look for something a little newer with good sails and equipment that you won't have to replace continually. Take some sailing lessons before you buy so you'll know what to look for. Go to a sailing marina and post a note that you will crew for experience. Something like a MacGregor 26S, D will be a great boat that you can get into for not a lot of money. A Catalina 22 would be a great used boat to start sailing with. Do look at many boats before you buy. I think you'll know it when you see it. Buy an older O'day and you'll spend lots of money. Same with an old Venture. If you're handy and love working on them rather than sail, go for it. I personally believe there are boat owners and sailors. Nothing against either but I'd rather be sailing than working on one. Keep asking those questions, someone here will know the answer. Steve P.
Size of Boat Would Depend...
on the size of water you plan on doing most of your sailing. If you are sailing small inland lakes the 17 would be fine. Especially if you trailer to all and have shallow boat ramp areas. I think one of the main considerations on this mac is the condition of the keel, cable and winch, make sure they are in good order or you will have lots to do from the get-go! Sincerely, Brian
on the size of water you plan on doing most of your sailing. If you are sailing small inland lakes the 17 would be fine. Especially if you trailer to all and have shallow boat ramp areas. I think one of the main considerations on this mac is the condition of the keel, cable and winch, make sure they are in good order or you will have lots to do from the get-go! Sincerely, Brian
Size Matters
Price. It needs to be cheap, and pretty much ready to go. For reference, I gave $1200 for my 83 Mac 21 in pretty darn good basic condition. After rerigging, adding a motor, and general addition of necessary goodies - I am in $3600. The 17 would make a good daysailer for two or an overnighter for one. 21 is the minimum that I would now consider OK for two for a weekend. After the first year, we are now looking at 27+. Older MacGregor Sailboats are a completely different animal from the newer Powersailers. (Much better suited for sailing) Price and condition are the critical variables for a starter.
Price. It needs to be cheap, and pretty much ready to go. For reference, I gave $1200 for my 83 Mac 21 in pretty darn good basic condition. After rerigging, adding a motor, and general addition of necessary goodies - I am in $3600. The 17 would make a good daysailer for two or an overnighter for one. 21 is the minimum that I would now consider OK for two for a weekend. After the first year, we are now looking at 27+. Older MacGregor Sailboats are a completely different animal from the newer Powersailers. (Much better suited for sailing) Price and condition are the critical variables for a starter.
Mac 17.
Yeah what Steve Said....! I just saw a 1967 MacGregor 17" this weekend, I noticed that the hull is much deeper than my 21. My primary complain with the 21 is that there is insufficient headroom in the cabin (48 inches at best). Movement in the cabin is near impossible. The 17" seems to have more headroom - in fact it seems the 21 has the shallowest hull of the Venture family. Anyone else notice this - or is it just that someone elses boat always looks bigger?? I've been able to sleep in the 21, but that's about it. It isn't really usable as shelter but makes for good storage. I sure wouldn't want to have guests overnight unless they were under three feet tall. I bought my 1972 Venture 21 for $1200, and have put about $1500 + about 1000 hours into it since. Although the boat was functional when I bought it - except for the keel cable which snapped about two minutes after I launched it the first time. Also, check the trailer thoroughly - I wish I had, mine was badly bent due to some past trauma which the PO didn't mention. I've since replaced the trailer - but it was another big expense. I love the Venture series, and wouldn't trade mine (actually I would - for a catalina 27 - but no one's offered me that yet ;-). They are fairly easy to handle, pretty simple mechanically and pretty forgiving. For me it was a fairly inexpensive way to get back into sailing after 20 years. I've enjoyed it very much, and look forward to 2 weeks at Detroit lake in August... .-=gp=-.
Yeah what Steve Said....! I just saw a 1967 MacGregor 17" this weekend, I noticed that the hull is much deeper than my 21. My primary complain with the 21 is that there is insufficient headroom in the cabin (48 inches at best). Movement in the cabin is near impossible. The 17" seems to have more headroom - in fact it seems the 21 has the shallowest hull of the Venture family. Anyone else notice this - or is it just that someone elses boat always looks bigger?? I've been able to sleep in the 21, but that's about it. It isn't really usable as shelter but makes for good storage. I sure wouldn't want to have guests overnight unless they were under three feet tall. I bought my 1972 Venture 21 for $1200, and have put about $1500 + about 1000 hours into it since. Although the boat was functional when I bought it - except for the keel cable which snapped about two minutes after I launched it the first time. Also, check the trailer thoroughly - I wish I had, mine was badly bent due to some past trauma which the PO didn't mention. I've since replaced the trailer - but it was another big expense. I love the Venture series, and wouldn't trade mine (actually I would - for a catalina 27 - but no one's offered me that yet ;-). They are fairly easy to handle, pretty simple mechanically and pretty forgiving. For me it was a fairly inexpensive way to get back into sailing after 20 years. I've enjoyed it very much, and look forward to 2 weeks at Detroit lake in August... .-=gp=-.
Chutz, you da man
Chutz, I remember when you were looking at this boat. Remember the photo's. You've done a lot of work on this boat, it looks good. How does she sail for you? Great photo's and good advice. Respect others, accept yourself, Steve P.
Chutz, I remember when you were looking at this boat. Remember the photo's. You've done a lot of work on this boat, it looks good. How does she sail for you? Great photo's and good advice. Respect others, accept yourself, Steve P.
Hiya Steve
Ultimately, I'm really glad I bought this boat. It's coming along nicely. Of course I could rattle off a list of a thousand things I still need to do. I'm hoping to finish the cabin this weekend - I've replaced all of the woodwork, most of the standing rigging. The pictures on my site are actually from last year, I've finished the painting work (decks, and hull stripe) stripped and varnished all of the woodwork and added some additional comfort features. I'm still on the lookout of a set of cushions (I've collected old couch cushions which are very comfy and disposable - it's amazing how many people leave couches on the curb). I really did have a great sail last weekend on the Columbia. The wind was very spirited and consistant, and I chickened out a long time before the boat did. She sails fairly well, I'm realizing that the main needs some attention, I'm having a very hard time when close hauled, I just can't get enough sail tension to be effective. So I'm taking the main to a sail loft to see if it can be tightened up for another season. If not - it's time to replace it. It would probably help if I would only remember the $*#$&#* battens BEFORE I raise the main! I can also see the clear advantage of a mid-boom traveller, so that's my next investment. I made a solid mahogony winch board, so I'm going to bolt that down and add the traveller to it. This weekend, I'm going to stay home and re-wire the boat. I had to tear out all of the old electrics because the PO didn't believe in fuses and had everything straight wired with old light switches for everything (yes actual AC type lightswitches like in your house). I need to finish wiring before I can finish interior trim and lighting fixtures. So weather and wife permitting I'll hopefully get this done this weekend. .-=gp=-.
Ultimately, I'm really glad I bought this boat. It's coming along nicely. Of course I could rattle off a list of a thousand things I still need to do. I'm hoping to finish the cabin this weekend - I've replaced all of the woodwork, most of the standing rigging. The pictures on my site are actually from last year, I've finished the painting work (decks, and hull stripe) stripped and varnished all of the woodwork and added some additional comfort features. I'm still on the lookout of a set of cushions (I've collected old couch cushions which are very comfy and disposable - it's amazing how many people leave couches on the curb). I really did have a great sail last weekend on the Columbia. The wind was very spirited and consistant, and I chickened out a long time before the boat did. She sails fairly well, I'm realizing that the main needs some attention, I'm having a very hard time when close hauled, I just can't get enough sail tension to be effective. So I'm taking the main to a sail loft to see if it can be tightened up for another season. If not - it's time to replace it. It would probably help if I would only remember the $*#$&#* battens BEFORE I raise the main! I can also see the clear advantage of a mid-boom traveller, so that's my next investment. I made a solid mahogony winch board, so I'm going to bolt that down and add the traveller to it. This weekend, I'm going to stay home and re-wire the boat. I had to tear out all of the old electrics because the PO didn't believe in fuses and had everything straight wired with old light switches for everything (yes actual AC type lightswitches like in your house). I need to finish wiring before I can finish interior trim and lighting fixtures. So weather and wife permitting I'll hopefully get this done this weekend. .-=gp=-.
Nice work
Chutz, good hearing back from you. Keep going, you're almost there. Light switches, wow. Sounds like you have a great place to sail, experiences your children will never forget. Steve P.
Chutz, good hearing back from you. Keep going, you're almost there. Light switches, wow. Sounds like you have a great place to sail, experiences your children will never forget. Steve P.
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