Get a clue on a Mac (or venture) 22'

[airshac]

So just brought a project boat home last weekend. Bought it thinking it is a '79 Mac 22' but as I was washing it down today and looking really close I saw just the remains of a sticker that used to say "venture". So I'm wondering if I actually got the V22 and if so whats the difference? Also there are a few things on the mast and deck I can't figure out what their purpose is. I'll post pictures and maybe some one can help me out...
photo 1002 is on the forward side of the mast about 1-2 feet off the deck. What is the ring for?
photo 1003 is the base of the mast. There is the hole that the bolt goes through for attaching mast to step then above the bracket is another hole. Thats the hole in question...
photo 1004 there are several of these flat clips on the deck ahead of the hatch. I think they work with the pop top but I don't have the supports that would go from them to the top...
photo 1005 is a bracket hole in the bow of the boat ahead of the fore hatch that has a cap on it and goes through the deck into the forward berth...

Thanks for any help, can't wait to get on the water!!!

 

[airshac]

One other thing...I pulled out all the flotation bricks. I cant see ever having a use for these since this is going to be a day sailer for taking my family to the lake. We have several kids and could use the storage space so i'm thinking I can just do with out these...?
One other other thing I have read about the cable on the keel being bad and dropping the keel to the bottom of the lake when lowering. Looking over my set up the cable is very shiny, and the "winch" looks to be in great shape. What should I look for there? What should I look for at the hinge pin? Also what are the mechanics behind actually lowering the keel? It looks like I take the handle off the crank then hit the catch and down it goes. Is there a way to control how fast it goes down? Seems like just dropping it might damage something...

 

[justsomeguy]

Pic 1 is likely for a jib or spinnaker pole?
Pic 2, if it's that 2nd hole in the mast step you're talking about, it's where you'd through-bolt the mast for trailering.
Pic 3, yep, it's for your pop-top supports.
Pic 4 is most likely a place to stow some ground tackle.

And about that "one other thing". How were the floatation blocks in the way of anything?

 

[airshac]

And about that "one other thing". How were the floatation blocks in the way of anything?

Well for instance they are in the hold below the forward berth, taking up the whole thing, where as it would be handy to store boating/picnic stuff there...life jackets, kiddy floats, sleeping bags etc.

Thanks for your info so far!

 

[justsomeguy]

Have you read the manual?

http://sbo.sailboatowners.com/downloads/Macgregor_22_55875649.pdf

 

[airshac]

Have you read the manual?

http://sbo.sailboatowners.com/downloads/Macgregor_22_55875649.pdf

Thanks! That was useful and will be good to have on hand!

 

[justsomeguy]

Good luck!

 

[MrUnix]

No telling what a PO may have added over the years, so many items you find on a used boat will never properly be identified

As for The MacGregor/Venture question.. they are one in the same.. MacGregor sold their boats under the Venture name until around 1969, when they started using just the MacGregor name.

The foam blocks you took out give the boat positive flotation, so if you spring a leak, the boat will simply swamp and not sink. I believe that was one of their selling points back in the day, and seem to remember seeing a picture in a brochure somewhere of a Venture all filled with water with people walking around on top of it!

As for the drop down keel, yours sounds like it is in good shape. Things to keep an eye out for are mostly common sense.. just keep an eye on the cable to make sure it's in good condition and not starting to fray anywhere, and check the connection point on the keel every time you haul it out. The pivot bolt should be inspected every now and then as well, however I don't think it's very common for them to fail given their over-engineered design.

And if the cable should break while in the water, the keel will not drop to the bottom of the lake.. it just won't be possible to pull it back up until you do a dive and fix the cable. To lower the keel, DO NOT just let it free-spin down! Just like if you snapped a cable, the keel pocket may be able to withstand the knock it receives by doing so, but it certainly isn't good for the boat and doing it over and over again might lead to some structural problems. Let it down easy and under control. Many owners have swapped out the old winch with newer clutch types as they are much safer.

Above all.. enjoy. That is a fun boat and very forgiving.

Cheers,
Brad

 

[rgranger]

Someone identified the last pic as a support for the pop-top but I think it might have been the connector for the mast light and someone filled it in with something to stop it from leaking.

Here are some pics of a Mac 22 that I restored and recently sold.

 

[Ted]

I don't think it's a good idea to remove the foam flotation blocks for the sake of additional storage. You have children and their safety should be paramount. You will, at some point in your day sailing outings, be caught in unexpected weather conditions which could potentially put you and your family in danger. Don't compromise the built in flotation safety feature for the sake of additional storage.

 

[centerline]

I carry enough stuff onboard to accomodate 6 people for 4 day weekend cruise, and still have room for more storage, AND I STILL have all the foam.....

it can be restacked to condense it into a smaller space, then use a small amount of the expanding spray foam to glue it in place.... BUT, dont glue it so much that it cant be removed easily if needed.... a little dab will do ya at the strategic spots....

safety is more important than storage, IMHO.....

NEVER, EVER use regular hardware store spray foam as below deck floatation because after about 6months it will begin to absorb water into itself and soon become waterlogged and useless. its alright to use in a mast tip for floatation because it doesnt take up water quickly when submerged, and when its in its normal position the water will drain thru and out of it....

 

[topcat0399]

Indeed looks like a project. You gotta a lot of work tado myman. But its fun - really.

I'm not getting what you mean about the keel winch crank. A keel winch should NEVER free wheel down. Maybe someone slapped a trailer ratchet type winch in there - It should be a brake winch.

We added MORE foam flotation and still have plenty of room for us, gear, and even more foam. We spend extended periods on the boat and I must tell you that under vee-berth storage is THE most inconvenient while afloat. Under the cockpit, in the lazerette, and along the quarters works better - especially for swim gear.

If that mast step is any indication of the rest of the boat hardware mounts - I would bet you have some leaks and/or soft cores. Topside leaks are insidious, the smallest one can soak your sleeping bags in a heartbeat.

We are in the third year of restoring our Venture. I figure it will take about 10 before shes actually "pretty". We are going for safe, functional, and usable before looks.

This spring (if it ever actually comes) the focus is stopping all topside leaks. Topside leaks SUCK. Saturday the skies were actually blue and the temp above 40 so I finally took ALL of the hardware off the decks (except mast step - fixed that leaky thing the first year) and cut open everywhere the hardware went thru a core. 20 cutouts - 18 wet. Yea! Deciding on my repair approach now. Its likely that I will re-core areas around the hardware and do the larger areas later. Soft cores may be a problem - or not. Depends on where they are.

So the word for you is prioritize. Must fix, should fix, nice to fix. Same with equipment. Must have, should have, nice to have.

We always do our repair in stages so that we can sail and not just own a yard queen.

Welcome to the club - getting bitten by the sailing bug is intoxicating.