Hey All, I'm curious about the mast spreaders on the Venture 21'. Most of the pictures I've seen show the boat with mast spreaders, but mine doesn't have them. Was this a design change that happened after 1972? or should they be there? I don't see any place on the mast where they would mount, so I'm in somewhat of a quandry here. In the event that they are supposed to be present, is this a major issue to fix? Thanks in Advance. .-=gp=-.
Mast Spreaders
- Thread starter chutz
- Start date
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
D
Dan McGuire
I Understand Some Did Not Have Spreaders
It is my understanding that some of the earlier MAC 21s did not have spreaders. They had a problem with the mast bending and added them. Depending on how you intend to sail, I probably would not worry about it. You could add spreaders yourself, depending how handy you are. You can buy aluminum tubes at Home Depot and probably at other locations. They can also be made out of angle aluminum or other aluminum stock. A machine shop could fabricate the attachments to go on the mast or those could also be fabricated out of aluminum channel. With a swaging tool, you can fabricate the shrouds yourself. Normally the shroud coming off the spreader is connected to the hull on a chain plate slightly forward of the miny stay, but I have seen them attached at the same point.
It is my understanding that some of the earlier MAC 21s did not have spreaders. They had a problem with the mast bending and added them. Depending on how you intend to sail, I probably would not worry about it. You could add spreaders yourself, depending how handy you are. You can buy aluminum tubes at Home Depot and probably at other locations. They can also be made out of angle aluminum or other aluminum stock. A machine shop could fabricate the attachments to go on the mast or those could also be fabricated out of aluminum channel. With a swaging tool, you can fabricate the shrouds yourself. Normally the shroud coming off the spreader is connected to the hull on a chain plate slightly forward of the miny stay, but I have seen them attached at the same point.
spreaders
When I bought my 21ft. venture,I thought I was missing the spreaders and some shrouds.I called all over trying to to find some.I finally called Macgregor in Costa Mesa.I was told that some of the boats were fractional rigged,the one,s without spreaders.I hope this helps. JIM PS I was on a beam reach and the wind was getting real gusty and I got knocked down.Water started coming over the side,then the boat came right back up.I guess the sails got rid of the wind.I was surprised that being a fractional rig,that it's strong enough to take that type of punishment,without any damage to anything.That was my first year of sailing.
When I bought my 21ft. venture,I thought I was missing the spreaders and some shrouds.I called all over trying to to find some.I finally called Macgregor in Costa Mesa.I was told that some of the boats were fractional rigged,the one,s without spreaders.I hope this helps. JIM PS I was on a beam reach and the wind was getting real gusty and I got knocked down.Water started coming over the side,then the boat came right back up.I guess the sails got rid of the wind.I was surprised that being a fractional rig,that it's strong enough to take that type of punishment,without any damage to anything.That was my first year of sailing.
D
Dan McGuire
Fractional Rigs and Spreaders
Just to make sure everyone understands and probably most understand better than me. Fractional rigs and spreaders are not mutually exclusive. My MAC 23 is a fractionally rigged cutter and has spreaders.
Just to make sure everyone understands and probably most understand better than me. Fractional rigs and spreaders are not mutually exclusive. My MAC 23 is a fractionally rigged cutter and has spreaders.
D
DJB
No spreaders
My '71? Venture 21 cmae with no spreaders and is a mast head rig. I have sailed it hard enough to have water almost coming in over the side and have had no problems with the mast bending. the only thing I see different about mine compared to others is that my mast is raked back a few degrees, I don't know if it should be, but it came that way and I haven't changed it.
My '71? Venture 21 cmae with no spreaders and is a mast head rig. I have sailed it hard enough to have water almost coming in over the side and have had no problems with the mast bending. the only thing I see different about mine compared to others is that my mast is raked back a few degrees, I don't know if it should be, but it came that way and I haven't changed it.
Thanks for the info.
Thanks, that's comforting. As far as I can tell, the mast has two shrouds, one from the top, and one from about two-thirds the height of the mast. They both bolt to the chainplates about 1(+/-) foot aft of the mast. The previous owner didn't think ever had spreaders. Either way I'm going to try and rig it in the driveway in the next few days, take lots of notes, and photos. Hoping to get it into the water next Sunday. .-=gp=-.
Thanks, that's comforting. As far as I can tell, the mast has two shrouds, one from the top, and one from about two-thirds the height of the mast. They both bolt to the chainplates about 1(+/-) foot aft of the mast. The previous owner didn't think ever had spreaders. Either way I'm going to try and rig it in the driveway in the next few days, take lots of notes, and photos. Hoping to get it into the water next Sunday. .-=gp=-.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.