MacGregorSailors.com

I have a MacGregor Venture 17 that I am restoring. Last weekend crewed on a San Juan 21 for my first race. It was a total rush and I am addicted already. When I talked about racing my Venture with the other sailors (all who have San Juan's)I was told Venture's are family boats not racing boats. Thoughts anyone? Does anyone race their Venture?

Cheers,
C

You can race a beer keg with a pillow case on a broom stick. It may not be fast, but if you can get it to go, you can race it. That's what PHRF handicaps are for.

What is the PRF rating for this one? http://www.maniacworld.com/sailing-with ... astle.html

Spinnaker, or no-spinnaker?

tkanzler wrote:Spinnaker, or no-spinnaker?

Does a maiden with flowing skirts held captive in the top of the castle count?

tkanzler wrote:You can race a beer keg with a pillow case on a broom stick. It may not be fast, but if you can get it to go, you can race it. That's what PHRF handicaps are for.

That is a riot! Thanks for the encouragement.

I don't know, but I wouldn't mind seeing that. She'd have to be pretty light to not collapse the vessel, though.

sailingv17 wrote:That is a riot! Thanks for the encouragement.

I didn't find any PHRF ratings for the V17, but they exist for the V21, and they're only slightly higher than the SJ21 ratings, meaning they're fast (for their size) boats, too.

Sounds like the other sailors are out to eliminate a possible threat early on!

I have heard the 26 D is a real fast sleeper too.

Fair Class Regattas team up boats with the same LWL and sail area - everyone gets to race - I unofficially barged the starting line at an A21 regatta once in a 14 foot Lido - After the committee boat blasted a few warnings at me and sent a put-put to catch me I was told I could proceed but that 30 seconds would be removed from my time for barging the start line, (all but ensuring me a last place so I would leave the course). I responded that I would not leave the course and any boat could file a protest, and I proceeded.

I came in Fourth.

I did not receive a trophy, but I also had not one protest filed.

Don't let anyone tell you you can't race.

Thank's guys, I appreciate all your advice.

The V17 is not a J boat, but it performs well. Nice to see you get a thrill out of sailing.
The Mac26 sails like a pig, but I've beaten other boats because the captains didn't know how to sail them correctly. A good captain can make up for a slower boat.

It's not so much worse than a Sabot.

Rule # 1. Whenever two or more sailboats are going in the same direction in close proximity it is AUTOMATICALLY a race! I've been sailing/racing Ventures for over 40 years and when I first started I felt threatened with collision by any boat within a quarter mile. Racing will help improve your skills, build confidence in yourself and find out just what your yatch will do. The V-17 is a great boat and rigged right it will sail very well. I'm assuming that the guy you crewed with was a member of some type of sailing club. Sailors, for the most part, are the most helpful, generous folks you'll meet. Don't be afraid to ask for advise. We all started at the beginning. Do ya know what your hull# is? Good Luck.

Freedom77 wrote:Rule # 1. Whenever two or more sailboats are going in the same direction in close proximity it is AUTOMATICALLY a race! I've been sailing/racing Ventures for over 40 years and when I first started I felt threatened with collision by any boat within a quarter mile. Racing will help improve your skills, build confidence in yourself and find out just what your yatch will do. The V-17 is a great boat and rigged right it will sail very well. I'm assuming that the guy you crewed with was a member of some type of sailing club. Sailors, for the most part, are the most helpful, generous folks you'll meet. Don't be afraid to ask for advise. We all started at the beginning. Do ya know what your hull# is? Good Luck.

Thank you!! The hull # is 981 and I also found out my paper work is wrong it is actually a 71 not a 74. Wish I wouldn't have caught that. Getting paperwork changed is a nightmare. I started a blog on the restoration process it is http://1974venture17.blogspot.com/

Thanks you!
Clint