I have restored a 1975 25" Venture. It came with a working jib but being on a lake in Tennessee I really need a 150 genoa from what I have been told. The boat has no winches so I believe I need to add these to the boat. Does anyone have any suggestions on what size/brand I should buy and where would be the optimum place to place them? Any help would be appreciated.
As for the winches, I use the Garhauer Swivel Cam Cleats with my 150 as most wind is under 15 knots and really haven't needed the winches. These fit on a 1" track and allow easy single handling of the headsail .
My only regret is they don't have a spring button so I can move it along the track for sail shape. You just tighten it down with an allan wrench and its end of story.
Bummer....
Chris I don't know about the Venture but I have a set on my cabin aft and a set of coaming winches on my X.
Instead of winches, I would get two Harken #240 (or #241) Bullseye swivel base w/cam cleat, which is what I put on my Mac 26C(S), or two Garhauer #25-31 swivel jam w/deck mount and fairlead.
Install them on the coaming tops near the tiller. Cut openings in the inside of the coaming so you can install the backing plates, washers, nuts. Know ahead of time what you are going to cover the hole with: coaming box, deck plate, etc. and cut the hole(s) that size.
Do you need a winch, to tighten your sheets, when the wind is on the nose? No.
Do you need a winch, to tighten your sheets, when the wind is on the beam? Maybe. Or, do a quick turn into the wind, sheet in, and head back out.
Hi Chris
I too also own a Mac/venture 25, 1975.
I have two winches on the coming, 1 port and 1 starboard, with a cleat behind each one. I have yet to have to use the winch handle to tighten the jib, just wrapping the jib sheet around the winch and pulling it tight is all I need and then around the cleat to hold it.
I am using a cdi furling genoa works great.