Hello fellow Venture sailors!

[hunkydory]

So I brought home my new to me 1978 Venture 22-2 that a friend at work has been leaning on me to buy for 2 years. He final came back with a price I could get behind to restore an older trailer-sailor.
FREE
so she was laying on an ill fitting trailer since 2001 and there is 2 inches of rainwater in the bilge. The well below the settee is filled even after towing it home. The bilge didn't drain either. Yes, the transom drain plug was out. There are some spider cracks in the gelcoat on the forward hatch cover or where the hatch would be if it were cut out. She has the galley with a two burner Coleman stove and sink unit. There is also a porta potty that I am thinking needs to be sent to the dump. She is missing both sails and has no motor but aside the water and deferred maintenance she is in pretty good kit!
I look forward to learning from you all as I get Hunky Dory back on the briney
Cheers
Dino

[Starscream]

Welcome.

The cheapest part of owning a boat is the boat (well this is true for Macgregors, at least), but FREE is a good start.

[topcat0399]

You have a transom drain plug?

Don't see many of those on sailboats!

A Venture doesn't really have a bilge - just the floor you stand on.

Fix 'er up!
Stop the leaks, get some sails (that was my largest single expense).

I like sausage pepperoni and lots of onion....

[NiceAft]

Dino,

Photos would help, and if you list where you are located, a nearby (if any) Mac owner may be able to help answer some questions.

Ray

[hunkydory]

Dino,

Photos would help, and if you list where you are located, a nearby (if any) Mac owner may be able to help answer some questions.

Ray

Hi Ray, I am in Bremerton WA and look forward to meeting fellow Mac sailors. A soon as I figure out how to load photos, I will. I am also going to set up a progress blog on Wordpress.
And thanks for all the welcomes.

[hunkydory]

now with pics




i am really tempted to make the raised white section on the foredeck into a functioning hatch. Any thoughts?

[Freedom77]

My late beloved first mate bought a plaque which she installed in the cabin. "LIKE A WOMAN, THE RIGGING COSTS MORE THAN THE HULL!" Check with blue water yachts in Seattle. They are the local Venture/Mac source in the northwest. Our 222 had a forward hatch. Worked out nicely for stowing foresails You probably need to start trolling marine hardware sites. I have seen hatches on some of the sites. Google sailboat hatches?? There should be a sailmaker somewhere up there or maybe Blue Water can help the search. Fair Winds and Full Sails...Old Salt.