venture 25 mast sheaves

[David M]

I am new to a Venture 25 that I bought and have various questions. I am hoping for information from other Venture 25 owners.
1) I am replacing the pulleys (sheaves?) at the top of my mast on a 1976 Venture 25 because the pulleys are deteriorated. They are originally pinned into the top of mast block. Does anyone know where I can buy replacement pulleys/sheaves? I have attached photos of the pulleys already removed and sitting on top of where they were removed from. Dimensions are approx. 1-1/4" diameter x 1/2" wide with center hole 5/16" w/o the sleeve. The center hollow sleeve /center pulley overall width is approx. 9/16"
I may not be using the correct terminology as I describe this. Since I have not yet rigged and/or set up the mast and run any of the ropes/sheeting thru the top of mast, does anyone have photos or explain how for the mainsail uphaul line runs thru the masthead pulleys? Does it run completely thru the masthead in one side/out the other? What size line goes thru the pulleys?
On the photos, there also is another pulley with what it looks like to be an uphaul line. I wonder if the former owner installed this other pulley instead of replacing the pulleys as I am trying to do? Any ideas?
2) the masthead light wire comes thru the mast thru the masthead block area and the wire would seem to interfere with the line that goes thru the mast head area. Is the masthead light wire going to be in the way? Photos attached.
3) there are two attached brackets near the top of mast that I have no idea what they are for. Has anyone seen these before/or know what they are used for? Photo attached
4) Also Does anyone have any info or photos on the kickup rudder rigging to be able to secure it down while sailing? Is there any pulley setup on the rudder to help raise the kickup segment?
Any help, feedback and photos would really help and would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance.
David M

 

[THECUSCUS]

I have the same masthead on my 79 V25. My buddy rebuilt it for me and I think he got the sheaves out of the West Marine catalog? Just take your measurements and fins some that fit, should be a pretty standard size. The main halyard runs up the front of mast (outside) then across both sheaves and down the backside of mast (outside). I used 5/16 line for my halyard. The other block (pulley) could have been for a spinnaker (not recommended to be that high up on a fractional rig ) or who knows. I'd just remove it. That wire could become a problem in there. I drilled an exit hole in the mast afew inches from the top and ran it the rest of the way to my light on the outside. The one extra bracket looks like a mount for an antenna, the other possibly for a windex?? Sorry, dont have any pictures of the rudder lines, but its just one line that goes through the two holes in the lower rudder (stopper knot at each end) and up to a cleat on the rudder head. Pull on the line closest to the top (back edge) to raise it and the one closest to the bottom (front edge) to pull it down (might need the help of a boat hook to help it along) and then cleat the line tight. If you hit something, the line will stretch aliitle and the rudder will pop up.

 

[David M]

as an option enture 25 mast sheaves

I have the same masthead on my 79 V25. My buddy rebuilt it for me and I think he got the sheaves out of the West Marine catalog? Just take your measurements and fins some that fit, should be a pretty standard size. The main halyard runs up the front of mast (outside) then across both sheaves and down the backside of mast (outside). I used 5/16 line for my halyard. The other block (pulley) could have been for a spinnaker (not recommended to be that high up on a fractional rig ) or who knows. I'd just remove it. That wire could become a problem in there. I drilled an exit hole in the mast afew inches from the top and ran it the rest of the way to my light on the outside. The one extra bracket looks like a mount for an antenna, the other possibly for a windex?? Sorry, dont have any pictures of the rudder lines, but its just one line that goes through the two holes in the lower rudder (stopper knot at each end) and up to a cleat on the rudder head. Pull on the line closest to the top (back edge) to raise it and the one closest to the bottom (front edge) to pull it down (might need the help of a boat hook to help it along) and then cleat the line tight. If you hit something, the line will stretch aliitle and the rudder will pop up.

Thank you very much for the info This helps me get in the right direction.
David M

 

[THECUSCUS]

NP, glad to be able to give back to this forum, as I have learned alot from others here myself.

 

[trainmanjess]

hello

i am a new Mac25 owner. my 1st sailboat ever. i just bought it in november at a charity auction for $26. it is in great shape. it was parked in a backyard and forgotten for a little over 3 years. no probllems with the hull, deck, keel, mast, boom, harken furler, standing rigging. i know it is a fractional rigging, but there is no mast head. i have seen the mast head pictured on your venture mast on many Mac sailboats. is there any like that around i could buy. i have not found any mast heads for any sailboat smaller than 35ft. i have been told my mast doesn't have a masthead, and i have been told that what i have on the top of my mast is not standard for Mac mast either. the local sailboat sales company, told me the old owner probably lost the old masthead, and then rigged it in the configuration it now has. but i would like to get one and put on it. this will give me another 8 inches height for my main sail. but i will leave the jib as fractional for racing. that is the reason i was told the fractional rig was designed for.

thanks
Jess

 

[David M]

Hi Jess, I don't know where to get a V25 masthead other than looking on various searches with that search phrase. I will see if I can come across any results in my searches as well. Do you have a good photo of the V25 masthead and dimensions for comparison?
You may also want to try looking for specifically sailboat parts or sailboat salvage websites for thiis part. Maybe you could get something similar if not the exact part. If you need photos or dimensions, let me know. There is also a company that sells parts fpr MacGregors but I don't know if they would have that part. You can check with them. Bluewater yachts is where I have purchased some parts for my V25.
Hope this helps.
David M

 

[Bob McL]

I usually look to West Marine first as they have a store here in town. But when I went last week they had decimated the sailing area and now almost nothing for sailing. I looked at other pulleys I could take the sheaves out of - and some would have worked - but were steel. I ended up getting some aluminum round stock and turning them myself. I was going to use a bearing - then the stainless insert from the old sheaves, but ended up drilling out the center and going with no bearing. That should last longer than the boat will and the aluminum will stand up to the Arizona sun

 

[David M]

Bob, thanks for your input. I will look into this further.
David M