How do I rig this? (Venture 21)

[peacedudeguy]

I have a used Venture 21 (lines are 5/16) with no mainsheet or blocks for joining the aft end of the boom to the  port and starboard sides of the rear-cockpit. I do, however, have mounts in these three places to install hardware, if I knew what to buy. See attached diagram. I want something simple and effective. Thanks very much!

[Tomfoolery]

There's a brief description, in words but no pictures unfortunately, in the manual for that boat, which you can get here: https://macgregorsailors.com/resources.html

There should be a twin sheave block attached to the end of the boom, a swivel cam cleat with dead end becket on the port side rail, and a single sheave block on the starboard side rail. The main sheet starts at the cam cleat, is reeved through the forward sheave on the boom block, through the single sheave on the port rail, back through the other sheave on the boom end, then terminates at the becket on the cam cleat.

It would probably help if someone could post some pics of that hardware, though.

[peacedudeguy]

Thanks Tom. Very helpful. I don't need the diagrams, but to clarify, 1) the end of the mainsheet is tied (can I use a shackle?) "to the deck eye aft of the swivel cam cleat" (quoting the manual). Right? 2) Then after following the path you explained, the sheet is anchored and adjusted at the port-side cam cleat?? 3) Therefore, when tacking, haul the sheet closer to center, tack, and let the wind swing the boom? Then let out slack from the cleat as needed. 4) Which means I always have to be on the port side when tacking??? Sorry so simple, but I'm upgrading from a smaller, simpler boat.

[chipveres]

On my Mac 22, the port stern pully with the cam cleat swivels. The sheet is long enough that I can readily reach it from either port or starboard to tack. In fact, the starboard seat with the sheet coming across the boat feels more "natural".

Chip V.
s/v Sand Dollar

[Tomfoolery]

Thanks Tom. Very helpful. I don't need the diagrams, but to clarify, 1) the end of the mainsheet is tied (can I use a shackle?) "to the deck eye aft of the swivel cam cleat" (quoting the manual). Right? If it were me, I would use a shackle. The end of the sheet will work in that attachment point otherwise; let the shackle do the rubbing, as it would takes eons to wear out under those conditions. Not so a loop in the end of the sheet. 2) Then after following the path you explained, the sheet is anchored and adjusted at the port-side cam cleat?? Yes, though there's no reason you can't reverse the whole arrangement if you like. 3) Therefore, when tacking, haul the sheet closer to center, tack, and let the wind swing the boom? Then let out slack from the cleat as needed. No need to haul it in for a tack. DO haul it in for a jibe, though, so you don't get smacked in the head by the boom. But the boom can only cross the cockpit as fast as the boat turns in a normal tack maneuver, so no worries. Leaving it alone makes for just one less thing to do, too. 4) Which means I always have to be on the port side when tacking??? Sorry so simple, but I'm upgrading from a smaller, simpler boat. See #3 above.

[peacedudeguy]

Makes sense. Super! Thanks!
Thanks to Sand Dollar also! I'm ready to go, thanks to you all.