V2-24 and it was F R E E

[JohnnyP]

First, intros: I am new to the forum but not sailing: I grew up flying Sun/Sailfish and Lasers in the good ol' Boy Scouts then moved on to a Hobie 14 that kicked my a$$ up and down before I figured out how to sail her properly. It has long since been my dream to own a larger boat - one I could manage both inland and on Long Island Sound.

Well, the dream has become a reality and, as the title suggests I picked up a 1973 Venture 2-24 (love them pop tops!) for free... which immediately cost me $330 in new wheels and tires as I blew one about a quarter-mile from the guy's driveway... and the trailer quite literally split in half coming up my steep and unforgiving driveway (cost of repairs TBD). But, ignoring all of that, she's in great shape for her age and for sitting for the past six years.

Presently, I am ambitiously pursuing a one-year plan to get her out on the water which will include an entire exterior refinish and necessary modifications to the rigging - we'll tackle the interior as time allows. There are some curiosities with the boat that I'm hoping to have answered by you fine folks, which I have outlined below.

Main Sheet Traveler:
Some prior owner added a main sheet traveler which they attached to a 2x6 and then bolted the entire assembly directly to the cockpit bench just forward of the aft hatch (pic below). This is a less-than-ideal mounting point for me as I intend to utilize 100% of the cockpit for entertaining and lounging. I could see from the brochure that the main sheet block appears to be connected to the gunwales via a line which I'm guessing could semi serve as a type of traveler??? Does anyone know what this configuration is called? Clearly, it has its limitations and I'm not positive I'd like to return to this type of rigging, especially considering that I already have a traveler on hand (I'm thinking of mounting it as noted in this article: http://www.co26.com/Tech-Notes/a-design ... t-traveler).

Cockpit Scupper and Keel Winch:
Some time ago, the scupper and cable pipe for my swing keel met with an unfortunate end and thus I have no point of reference as to how the pipe should be fitted. I cannot seem to find any suitable direct replacements so was hoping there may be some info on this forum for that fun little project.

Pop Top Sliding Cover:
The sliding cover for the companionway, apart from needing to be glassed, does not seem to fit over the rails in a way that makes sense to me and I fully expect it to leak in any weather that's not clear, sunny, and windless. Additionally, there do not appear to be any "stops" to prevent the cover from sliding completely off of its tracks. Could someone share pictures of their companionway cover so that I can determine the best way to set this up?

Thanks in advance for your replies! Glad to be part of the forum!

Johnny

[OverEasy]

Hi JohnnyP!

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR “FREE” BOAT

As a newbie ourselves we have found that this forum is a GREAT place to meet and exchange and help from and for MacGregor minded people!

WELCOME!

Best Regards,
Over Easy

[Maraquita]

Can't help with most of your questions but the hatch appears to be built about like my old V-25. The curb around the cut-out goes across the front also and is high enough that the front of the hatch will hit it to act as a stop when the hatch is overhanging the companionway by 2 or 3 inches. This allows some ventilation even if the boards need to be installed. There is no seal, but the curb is high enough to keep light rain out and it drains off the back of the pop top if you are sitting reasonably level. You are right, though, in a heavy driven rain you will be tucking towels around the inside to try to stop the drips. Those rains never last long though!

[Russ]

That Conststa essentially raised the traveler above the tiller. That seems like a good way to use the traveler vs. the current.

The hatch looks like the M hatch design except your "tracks" are wood and the M is some kind of plastic. That's the way it's designed. The front and rear of the hatch prevent it from sliding off. I can't tell from your pics, but I assume it's the same.
Many Mac owners have removed the hatch and laid the loop side of Velcro on the hatch to make it slide smoother rather than glass on glass.

You can download the manual for your boat here.

https://macgregorsailors.com/resources.html

[JohnnyP]

That's just the thing: there does not appear to be any sort of "stop" to prevent the hatch from sliding off and I can very easily remove the hatch by simply sliding it too far one way or another. My biggest concern with this is towing at highway speeds where I fear this 10-15lb chunk of fiberglass will work itself off the tracks and smash into another vehicle!

[Be Free]

I may be wrong but I thought the 2-24 had a pop-top on the cabin. It would have slid out and been raised up on pivoting arms well above the cabin top. Those arms would have kept the top from coming completely off. Do you have anything like that on your top?

[dlandersson]

Give you $100 for it - pure profit

[OverEasy]

I could be mistaken but from what the marketing literature said the pop-top “version” might imply that there was a “non-pop-top” version?

[OverEasy]

If there was someway to get pictures and maybe some dimensions (tape measure in photo for scaling) of the “pop-top” version in the up and down positions it would be really appreciated.

It is a feature the we would like (very very much!) to replicate /modify into our Mac26X.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

[JohnnyP]

Give you $100 for it - pure profit

Right off the bat, I've sunk over $300 in new wheels for the trailer - I'd be out! Plus, my wife calls me a "project masochist" where I constantly need to be tearing down and rebuilding one thing or another, so I figure this will occupy the remainder of the year for sure!

OverEasy, there were two versions of this vessel produced: the V 24 was a solid top with slightly different rigging and main sail; the V 2-24 (or 224, as it's sometimes written) is what I have here and has the pop top. To that note, I am not concerned with the Pop Top lifting as 1) I can secure it from within the cabin and 2) the thing ways a freakin' ton! It wasn't secured on its trip home and I never once saw it even slightly shift.

The sliding companionway hatch cover sits on top of the Pop Top and is therefore directly exposed to driving forces. The prior owner noted he never had issues with it sliding off but I am not convinced.

[JohnnyP]

If there was someway to get pictures and maybe some dimensions (tape measure in photo for scaling) of the “pop-top” version in the up and down positions it would be really appreciated.

It is a feature the we would like (very very much!) to replicate /modify into our Mac26X.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

I'll be attempting to step the mast today to take stock of any standing rigging needs before I strip the deck hardware ahead of grinding and painting. I'll see if I can get some pictures for you but that seems like a massive undertaking to add one to your boat!

[OverEasy]

Hi JohnnyP!

Thank you in advance!
Yes, we realize there will be some work involved.
It will be worth it if we can make it work.
With the cruising plans we are working toward this ability to have a pop-up hard lidded Dodger will be very much worth the efforts.



MacGregor’s designs have a lot of thought put into them.
And while the Mac26X is different there are enough similarities that we’d like to avoid “reinventing the wheel” or pop-top as it were.

Again, Thanks!
Over Easy

[Freedom77]

Traveler is in a rather bad spot. Suggest move traveler forward just aft of the cabin entry. Bolt it to the winch support board. This will allow better sail shape and will get it out of the middle of the cockpit. Will try to send pic. AS far as hatch cover, just put a nut and bolt at each end. Ease peasy, lemon squeasy.

[Freedom77]

Original mainsheet set up is commonly called a "wishbone". Got rid of mine as soon as I got Freedom and went to mid boom mainsheet traveler. Gets rigging out of aft. Allows for better sail adjustment, point higher and lets crew adjust main, "of course with directions from captain" Once again will try to send pic.

[Freedom77]

On stepping mast. Check mast support pole in the cabin. where support meets deck on the bottom make sure there is no space under pole. This will cause upper deck to "pump" which could wear on spreaders. Friend of mine was dismasted due to spreader failure. Also check for wear on spreader/mast attachment. I replaced spreaders stainless steel tubing, if you can find the right size. will help as much as I can with any other questions. Been sailing Ventures for 50+ years.