Search found 270 matches

by topcat0399
Mon Aug 21, 2023 8:48 pm
Forum: MacGregor/Venture Discussion
Topic: Keel Bolt Location/Question (New Owner - first sailboat)
Replies: 4
Views: 1064

Re: Keel Bolt Location/Question (New Owner - first sailboat)

I'd probably just take a hammer and a sharp wood chisel to that blister of glass.

I try my best to avoid laying a rotary tool to fiberglass inside a boat until absolutely necessary.
I've a bunch of grinding coming up again and I already feel itchy....
by topcat0399
Sun Aug 20, 2023 9:38 pm
Forum: MacGregor/Venture Discussion
Topic: Keel Bolt Location/Question (New Owner - first sailboat)
Replies: 4
Views: 1064

Re: Keel Bolt Location/Question (New Owner - first sailboat)

A = pivot bolt (silly guy glassed this over, maybe to stop water ingress?) B = Keel Locking Bolt C= Keel Bump Stop Bolt (stops unlocked keel from smashing back end of keel trunk) Many of us that sail in skinny waters rarely lock the keel down, and in that case the Keel Locking Bolt acts as the Keel ...
by topcat0399
Sun Aug 13, 2023 6:49 am
Forum: Repairs and Modifications
Topic: Broken bow ring on Venture 23
Replies: 15
Views: 1265

Re: Broken bow ring on Venture 23

i would do it like Wyb2's picture shows, and then cut a piece of something to cover it. what you would be cutting here is the boat LINER not the actual hull, and in this place the liner wouldn't provide any meaningful structural support. It is scary to cut into your boat the first time, been there, ...
by topcat0399
Mon Aug 07, 2023 7:39 am
Forum: Repairs and Modifications
Topic: Broken bow ring on Venture 23
Replies: 15
Views: 1265

Re: Broken bow ring on Venture 23

Once upon a time, in a distant era and a faraway place, my boat's bow eye was accompanied by a solid piece of wood coated in layers of fiberglass. This wooden foundation, over time, gradually dissolved, leaving behind an empty chamber of fiberglass that eventually fractured, resulting in an unstabl...
by topcat0399
Fri Aug 04, 2023 8:46 am
Forum: Repairs and Modifications
Topic: Broken bow ring on Venture 23
Replies: 15
Views: 1265

Re: Broken bow ring on Venture 23

once upon a time long ago and far away my bow eye had a hunk of wood slathered in fiberglass that supported my bow eye legs. that wood has long since melted away leaving a hollow glass box behind that eventually shattered making for a very jiggly bow eye that did not instill confidence on rustic boa...
by topcat0399
Sun Jul 02, 2023 10:18 am
Forum: MacGregor/Venture Discussion
Topic: Re: Engine Mount
Replies: 3
Views: 1374

Re: Engine Mount

I don't know of anyone that has done this exactly, but there is nothing stopping you from taking it on. So long as you are up to the glass work required. This project is on my list of mods to do since my boat has a push pit and I am darned tired of squeeeezing thru and hanging off the transom when m...
by topcat0399
Tue Jun 13, 2023 10:00 am
Forum: MacGregor/Venture Discussion
Topic: Keel position, winch view obscured
Replies: 8
Views: 1913

Re: Keel position, winch view obscured

"Other discussions include handle clearance and sealing of the cable through hole in trunk top where the wear pin resides. Is this hole below the waterline?" when i replaced my brake winch i had to relearn the count a dab...sometimes sailing is soooo annoying! Also my new winch handle is ...
by topcat0399
Mon Jun 12, 2023 9:54 am
Forum: MacGregor/Venture Discussion
Topic: Keel position, winch view obscured
Replies: 8
Views: 1913

Re: Keel position, winch view obscured

BINGO!

"..... to count the number of turns of turns....." as justpics said.

been doing it for years....
by topcat0399
Sat Jun 03, 2023 1:05 pm
Forum: MacGregor/Venture Discussion
Topic: Fabricated rudder and castle
Replies: 6
Views: 1853

Re: Fabricated rudder and castle

Are you saying that your plywood rudder is only covered by thickened resin? Well that may be ok for a while but I would expect it to be getting heavier and heavier over time as water finds its way in and soaks it. Resin alone is brittle, tho the silica may help. Hard knocks can easily crack it. Cove...
by topcat0399
Sat Jun 03, 2023 12:35 pm
Forum: MacGregor/Venture Discussion
Topic: Backplate and tabernacle
Replies: 6
Views: 1677

Re: Backplate and tabernacle

Core repair is a huge subject discussed at length everywhere there are serious boat discussions on the internet. I have tried many of them. Hole drilling to let a core dry and then pumping in a glue.With hole filling. Top layer fiberglass removal, then core removal, new core installed and new glass ...
by topcat0399
Sat Jun 03, 2023 10:06 am
Forum: MacGregor/Venture Discussion
Topic: Fabricated rudder and castle
Replies: 6
Views: 1853

Re: Fabricated rudder and castle

That rudder should be fine so long as you can keep water out of it. If water finds its way into plywood you're done. Keep it off hard stuff if possible. The original wooden rudder is teak I think and didn't really have a "shape" per se, It is just a solid plank with eased edges. If that we...
by topcat0399
Sat Jun 03, 2023 9:36 am
Forum: MacGregor/Venture Discussion
Topic: Backplate and tabernacle
Replies: 6
Views: 1677

Re: Backplate and tabernacle

Your boat is very similar to mine. Generally on these old Venture/Macs anywhere on the topside that has factory non-skid textured area will have a plywood core under it. That includes the deck top that the tabernacle sits on. I have done extensive work on this part of the top deck and there is no lo...
by topcat0399
Sun Apr 23, 2023 3:31 am
Forum: Repairs and Modifications
Topic: Reattaching mast step. Where to seal?
Replies: 3
Views: 1094

Re: Reattaching mast step. Where to seal?

I think you are on the right track but; I just don't think you are going to get a good long lasting reliable seal if you leave that deck as it is and slap that step plate on there. Those ragged edges of gel coat, gel coat cracks, and not having a countersink is not going to do your butyl tape any fa...
by topcat0399
Wed Apr 19, 2023 8:41 am
Forum: MacGregor/Venture Discussion
Topic: V222 Swing Keel question
Replies: 7
Views: 2537

Re: V222 Swing Keel question

as Wyb2 mentioned, the lock down bolt is normally a 5/16" bolt and that plate on your keel trunk is not factory. I suspect that the PO regularly sailed skinny water and had his keel bouncing up and down a lot when striking things like under water stumps or sand spits or whatever. Personally I t...
by topcat0399
Mon Apr 17, 2023 12:32 pm
Forum: MacGregor/Venture Discussion
Topic: V222 Swing Keel question
Replies: 7
Views: 2537

Re: V222 Swing Keel question

bolt #1; if you can plainly see that it is a bracket mounting bolt, don't fear taking it out if you need to. bolt #2; is likely your stop/lock bolt. Its bent likely because the top of the keel strikes it and rests on it all the time. mine was bendy also. Put a new one in, no biggie. When underway, y...