macgregor venture 22 sailboat

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• Sailboat Reviews

Venture 21 Used-boat Review

The vintage macgregor is a good example of a budget-friendly boat..

Maybe this has happened to you: You’re on a country road, driving to a wedding (or family vacation or business conference), and you pass a sailboat on a trailer with a “For Sale” sign. It’s not a big boat. It’s not a small boat. But it’s just about right for launching a small adventure with your young family, or maybe you’re looking to downsize. You can’t resist stopping for a closer look. Incredibly, the sign reads “$600,” including a nearly new trailer and an old 4-horsepower, two-stroke outboard that “runs like a top.” You write down the number and drive away, thinking: “Somebody is giving away a perfectly good boat.”

Chances are that “steal of a deal” is a Roger MacGregor-designed Venture 21, and if not, it’s probably one of the many copycats riding the trailer-sailer boom that MacGregor’s little boat ignited. The Catalina 22, the Santana 21, and the San Juan 21 are just some of the boats that followed closely in the wake of the Venture 21’s introduction.

The concept for the Venture 21 came out of MacGregor’s master’s thesis in the Stanford University MBA program. The first hull was introduced in 1965, but full-fledged production didn’t begin until 1967. Several thousand hulls later, the last MacGregor 21 (the boat was renamed in 1980) rolled off the line in 1986 at the MacGregor factory in Costa Mesa, Calif. Today, with some 36,000 sailboat hulls behind it, the company builds just one boat, the hybrid sailboat/powerboat MacGregor 26x.

Although MacGregor sold fewer Venture 21s than its successor—the Venture 22, which later became the pop-top Venture 22-2—the 21’s easy trailerability and affordable price helped it maintain its popularity throughout the 1970s. Capitalizing on the fiberglass revolution in boatbuilding, MacGregor’s business-school project sparked a pivotal marketing shift that helped bring recreational sailing to mainstream America.

While the trailer-sailer boom is far behind us, the Venture 21 and its many look-alikes have renewed relevance today. With their discretionary spending sharply cut, younger sailors are taking the Craigslist-route into sailing, scouring the classified ads for boats that don’t require dock space but still have room for a family sail. Meanwhile, many owners of 30-plus-footers are considering downsizing to a boat that doesn’t require mooring fees and a hefty maintenance bill each spring. For better or for worse, in the dim light of a recession, a back-to-basics giveaway boat on the roadside begins to look awfully enticing. For these and other reasons, PS decided to take a closer look at the Venture 21, which, in many ways, is the epitome of “the boat with a price I couldn’t refuse.”

The Venture 21 was designed to be affordable, easy to trailer and launch, and fun to sail, with enough room below for storing gear, napping, or even spending a night at anchor. It was principally aimed at new sailors, but it also appealed to those who wanted to step up from an open daysailer. Its size, sail area, and hull design were tailored for lakes and bays with fickle breezes of less than 15 knots.

Seaworthiness and performance were important considerations but pragmatism and aesthetic appeal were the driving force behind its design features.

Although the boat’s low headroom and Spartan interior would not qualify it as a weekender today, it was initially marketed as a “cruising” sailboat. A sleep-aboard sailboat that could be hauled around the country behind the family station wagon seemed perfectly in tune with the wanderlust of the 1960s.

While the Venture 21 is regarded as one of the first modern trailer-sailers, no single design element stands out as particularly revolutionary or unique. Instead, MacGregor incorporated proven features that would not only appeal to serious sailors, but also would remain consistent with the public perception of what a good boat should be and look like. In the yacht market, the Cruising Club of America boats were still the aesthetic model. Carl Alberg’s popular Ensign, launched by Pearson in 1962, is a good example of a small boat that clung to the CCA philosophy and aesthetic.

The Venture’s heritage is more closely aligned with two daysailers that were enjoying a surge of popularity on the East Coast in the early 1960s: the 17-foot Day Sailer, designed by George O’Day and Uffa Fox in 1958, and, to a lesser degree, the Phillip Rhodes-designed Rhodes 19, first offered by O’Day in 1959. Both were built by the nascent O’Day Group of Fall River, Mass. The similarities in the three boats are most apparent above the waterline. All have a relatively flat sheer line and spoon-like bow overhang (or spoonbow), elements that predate the modern yachting era.

While the Rhodes 19 still carries fairly deep V-sections well aft, making it a capable performer in the chop typical of its New England home waters, the Day Sailer flattens out, particularly at the stern, giving it fast, near-planing speeds off the wind. Fox and O’Day later refined this feature, earning Fox a reputation as the innovator of the planing dinghy. With a modest V-shape and a relatively fine bow, the Venture 21 lies somewhere between the two Rhodes 19 and the Day Sailer.

The Venture’s swing keel gives it 5 feet, 6 inches of draft—even more than its popular big brother, the Venture 25—and retracts to allow the boat to float in about 15 inches of water. (The brochure says 12 inches.)

Although the original design called for a fractional rig with a 22-foot mast, this was later changed to a masthead rig, giving it quite a bit of horsepower for its era. At the peak of its production in the late 1970s, the Venture 21 enjoyed popularity as a racing boat, with fleets springing up on the Gulf Coast, the Great Lakes, and the Northeast, as well as its home waters of Southern California. Although some owners have gone to the trouble of re-routing running rigging, fairing the keel, adding travelers and vangs, and replacing the pinned turnbuckles with threaded turnbuckles, we’d encourage someone inclined toward performance to look at a more modern hull with an active racing fleet.

One of the most notable features is the boat’s 7-foot cockpit, as big as that found in the much larger and heavier Catalina 22. However, unlike the Catalina 22, the San Juan 21, and the successively longer Ventures (V-22, V-23, V-25) that widened the cabintop to provide more interior space, the Venture 21 preserves enough sidedeck for crew to move forward . . . with care. Many V-21s, like the one we sailed, never had lifelines; others have had their lifelines removed. The standard single lifelines—low and poorly supported by widely spaced stanchions—offer a modicum of safety, but these are still less than ideal. In our view, lifelines are not a deal-breaker on a 21-foot daysailer, but if you have small children, a boat that is equipped with lifelines with a supporting pushpit and pulpit would be preferable.

The cockpit has a small lazarette, presumably to store fuel for the small bracket-mounted outboard, but this leads directly to the bilge, a bad idea that presents a potential fire risk. The original boats came equipped with top-grinding winches with short T-tracks for the jib. The boat we sailed had only a single fixed-point for the jib sheet. The end-of-boom mainsheet has a 4:1 purchase that spreads the load to each corner of the stern, a basic setup that limits trim options. Some owners modified the leads and added a mainsheet traveler, although this entails either raising the traveler over the tiller, or moving the sheet forward on the boom; both are compromise solutions.

A modest 18- by 18-inch fiberglass bow hatch allows ventilation down below, as well as a place for sails to be passed down. There is no anchor locker or chain pipe. The boat we sailed had an 8-inch diameter screw-on PVC deck plate that was apparently used as a chain pipe.

Overall, the deck has a functional layout, fine for its primary mission, which is to enjoy some time on the water with very little hassle.

Accommodations

The biggest drawback to the Venture 21’s emphasis on trailerability and a 1960s aesthetic is the lack of headroom below. By keeping the cabintop and topsides profile low, MacGregor produced a boat that, in our view, is better looking than the slab-sided models that followed. However, the end result is a very cramped interior. The VW-camper-inspired pop-top on the Venture 22-2, which came shortly after the Venture 21, offered a compromise that was adopted by a number of boats in this size range. Gradually, the intrinsic appeal of a low profile gave way to market demands. (MacGregor’s current and only model, the M26x, is a classic example of the wedding cake look that eschews traditional aesthetics for the sake of comfort below.)

With two quarter berths and a V-berth, the Venture 21 technically could sleep four, but this sort of arrangement probably would be brief and acrimonious. Although you could pack a lot of gear under the cockpit, actual locker storage is limited. Some ambitious owners have added sinks, small galleys, 12-volt systems, and port-a-potties below, but the boat’s cramped headroom restricts its suitability for more than a few days of cruising. For the 20-something adventurer with aspirations of camp-cruising on one of America’s many inland lakes, it will do just fine, but more than a couple of days aboard a boat this size will be a sure test of any marriage.

Construction

During the Venture 21’s 15-year production run, from 1965-1980, the materials and construction methods used for its deck, rig, structural components, and keel went through several changes. Construction of the hull itself, however, remained virtually unchanged. The hull was hand laid up with woven roven and mat. The layup schedule was a single unit of alternating mat and woven roven. Owners do report flexing in some spots, although we noted none on the boat we tested. The early boats are fairly resin rich, so hull thickness is not necessarily a reflection of strength.

The earliest Ventures had a stick-built interior, with bulkheads and bunks made of resin-coated cuts of plywood that were laminated in place. These earlier versions make it easier for owners to modify or rebuild an interior, and this is almost an inevitable project, given plywood’s propensity to rot and delaminate.

By the mid-1970s, MacGregor switched to a molded liner, which accelerated production and eliminated issues of rot, but added about 200 pounds to the total weight. Large sections of the boat are enclosed and filled with foam—a touted safety feature—but it is nonsense to consider the boat unsinkable, as some websites and blog posts suggest.

About 50 V-21s featured lead keels. The poured lead was anchored to a steel beam, and the entire construction sheathed in fiberglass. This process was not only expensive, but it also presented significant corrosion problems, as water eventually migrated into the fiberglass-encased keel.

Most models have solid iron keels; corrosion, however, is still a problem with these keels, but they can be removed, ground-down, faired, and sealed with an epoxy barrier coat to provide many more years of service. This is the biggest “problem” with the Venture 21, and any buyer should take a close look at the keel and the related components.

The original deck was plywood core, but this was later changed to balsa. In either case, rot is a potential problem (particularly in areas of the owner-installed deck hardware), but none of the 14 owners of Venture 21s who participated in our survey reported significant problems with deck rot.

The hull-to-deck joint was initially a bolted and adhesive-bonded shoebox joint, in which the lip of the deck flange fits over the hull just like a shoebox lid. This was later modified to an outward turning flange joint, with the hull lip turning outward to present a horizontal bonding surface for the deck. In both cases, the joint was bonded with a polyurethane adhesive sealant such as 3M 5200, bolted together, and then covered with an extruded aluminum and vinyl rubrail. Neither joint is as rugged as an inward-turning flange, but this is method is typical for a boat of this size.

Early versions of the Venture 21 were fractional rigs, but the majority were masthead rigs with overlapping jibs. An off-center backstay and upper and lower shrouds add support to the 22-foot mast. Early boats, like the 1969 model that we test sailed, did not have spreaders on the upper shrouds. In windy areas, where mast pumping is a noticeable problem, retrofitting spreaders—or looking for a more suitable boat—would be a good idea. The chainplates are through-bolted to the hull, eliminating the typically rot-prone attachment to plywood bulkheads found in some larger boats of this vintage. The original turnbuckles are the fixed-adjustment type that allow 1/8-inch adjustment intervals, making it hard to tune the rig at sea, but impossible to over-tighten, a common novice error.

The two biggest problems cited in our owners’ survey were the hand-crank keel winch and the keel-retaining bolt. Although the keel winches on later MacGregor models are braked mechanisms that will not spin freely under load, the one on the Venture 21 is a common ratchet-type trailer winch. If it is let go under load, the handle can whip around dangerously. Many owners have replaced this with a braked winch—a good idea, although these winches will require more maintenance. The keel-retaining bolt is a 3/8-inch diameter bolt that is slipped through a hole in the centerboard trunk and a corresponding hole in the keel. It is used to lock the keel in place when sailing in deep water, preventing the keel from flopping back into the hull should the boat capsize or surf down the face of a wave. The retaining bolts are commonly bent during a grounding, and any boat with a bent one should be inspected closely around the hull and keel trunk for other signs of damage.

Overall, the construction is light, but adequate for the boat’s designed purposes. If the deck isn’t too rotten, and the swing keel and keel box aren’t shot, most any other potential problem on the Venture 21 is easily remedied by someone who is handy and has the time.

Performance

During its heyday, the Venture 21 was promoted for it speed. MacGregor touted its position as the first of the “hot retracting keel boats” and the “fastest of its type,” with “planing speeds at over 16 miles per hour.” In this age of ultra-light monohulls and multihulls with eye-popping sail area (see PS, September 2009 and May 2010), this sort of hype seems quaint, but if you compare the Venture 21 to other boats of its era, it is clearly no slouch (See “Venture 21 in Context,” page 11). Its sail area/displacement ratio puts it ahead of several contenders, and its hull form—as mentioned—does give it an ability to hit double-digit speeds in the right hands.

The boat we test sailed was handicapped by ancient sails and an outboard that could not be fully tilted out of the water. Although the boat had a masthead rig, the headsail was a fractional working jib. A 140-percent genoa, found on many boats, would have added about 25 percent to the total sail area. To windward, the boat tacked smartly through 90 degrees, although we’d expect a boat with good sails to point higher. The boat was initially tender on the wind, but once the full effect of the 400-pound keel exerted its influence, the boat settled into a comfortable heel. Despite the deep bellies in her sails, the boat handled gusts surprisingly well, and by adjusting the swing keel’s depth, testers could easily achieve a balanced helm. Off the wind in 12 to 15 knots of breeze, we were able to sustain speeds of 7 knots under working sails alone with the keel almost fully retracted. While not wind-in-your hair sailing by today’s standards, it meets our definition of fun.

Conclusions

After spending some time aboard the Venture 21, we were reminded how much and how little has changed since the boat was introduced more than 40 years ago. Most comparable modern “weekenders” with big cockpits and modest cabins, like the Precision 21 or Catalina Capris 22, offer much more in terms of safety, systems (limited as they are), and modern conveniences. And entry-level daysailers like the thermo-molded Hunter 216 offer more in terms of performance options, such as a sprit for the asymmetrical sail and rigging conveniences like a hydraulic lifting keel. If true small-boat performance with a potential for one-design racing is what you’re after, then a boat like the J/22 presents a more sensible choice.

While overall construction quality has improved over the past 40 years, most daysailer hulls (the Hunter 216 and the balsa-cored J/22 excepted) are still solid fiberglass and laid up by hand, an economical and forgiving method. Many daysailers with cabins are actually much heavier than the lightly built V-21, but they also have much better finish quality.

The bottom line with the Venture 21 is the bottom line. If you hunt around long enough, you are likely to pick up a sailaway boat with a trailer and outboard for less than $3,000­—about the cost of a new trailer. The boat we sailed sold for far less, including the trailer and 4-horsepower Evinrude. If you are really patient, you can probably find a fixer-upper that someone will give to if you promise to drag it off their property.

Is this 40-year-old, mass-produced boat still a viable option for the entry-level sailor, or someone looking to downsize? No question about it. The Venture 21 is not a boat we’d recommend for someone with offshore aspirations or in places like San Francisco Bay where heavy air and a stiff chop would render it wet, slow, and uncomfortable. However, if you plan some coastal or lake adventures and are limited by a 2,000-pound tow capacity and a recession-era budget, then the Venture 21 definitely deserves a look.

There is one key caveat: Because it is easy to underestimate the amount of work required to revive barn-found boat, we would strongly urge looking for a Venture 21 that is in sailaway condition, rather than a project boat. Dealing with the iron keel alone can be a time-consuming project, and despite the boat’s interesting history, this adds little or no to resale value. On the good side, however, should you decide to embark on the restoration of a Venture 21, you will not be alone. Plenty have done it before, and given the boat’s irresistibly low price tag, more will surely follow in their wake.

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What kind of Trailer did your boat have. Mine (1972) is a 4″ welded C Channel, Is this a factory style trailer or somebody’s back yard built. It has the right v notches for the C/B etc.

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Mac 22 vs. Venture 22

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Can anyone tell me the difference between a MacGregor 22 and a Macgregor/Venture 22? I want to get a genoa for my Mac 22, but can't find the spec's. The Venture 22 spec's are available. Thanks.  

The Venture is the name Roger MacGregor used before he decided to use his name on a successful boat. The original design was a project in college. He eventually knew he had something good and put his own name on it. Are there any differences? There have been many changes over the years to different parts of the boat. I don't know what changes were made in sails, if any. I do know that you can go to different sail makers and get different measurements which tells me that changes were made to something. Perhaps, they were modifications by owners. Best way to order sails is with your own measurements. Call your sailmaker for this advice. Stan C.  

You might be able to tell if it is a Venture or a MacGregor 22' from the year of manufacture. Here is a link that tells the manufacture dates of different MacGregors. It also has some good information on finding the hull numbers. My boat is a 1971 Venture 22 (no pop-top). http://www.wadler.org/boatMac/production_years.php  

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macgregor venture 22 ? for learning sailing couple

• Thread starter mark west
• Start date Feb 16, 2015
• Macgregor Owner Forums
• Ask A Macgregor Owner

sail boat needs :smaller the better 18' to 23' shallow water 3to 4ft at pier most time can blow out 1 to2 ft deep . cabin over night for 2 people 2 dogs, swing keel , stable , easy to sail and learn on, sea worthy the sound gets bad in little time . Macgregor venture 22 came up as candidate any other i should look for . found 1979 venture 22 what to look for good and bad on this model any weak areas of concern  

I think your on the right track, but you do have a lot of choices. Besides the Mac there is Catalina, Siren, San Juan, Chrysler, Hunter....man the list goes on. The Catalina is a very stable one (heavier keel), very well built and there was a lot of them made that's why there are a lot of used ones out there. I could tell you all the differences but the reason I went with the Macgregor 22 was because of the trailering weight and the big price difference. Other sailing sites will bad mouth the Mac because of the thinner hull but I have been very impressed in the 3 years I've been owned mine. I had never sailed before and my wife had never even stepped on a boat and it has been very forgiving but my advise is still practice safety, watch the weather and read some of these posts....even from the newbies cause they will point out common mistakes. We go out almost every weekend in the summer and have never day sailed, we always spend a night or two and has been plenty of room for us although were now ready for a 25 or 27.  

Btw areas of concern with that model is no different then with any other swing keel sailer. Keel condition, soft deck spots, sound hull, standing rigging, sails (cause their expensive), no leaks from top... overall alot of the stuff is repairable, but some things like sails are expensive. You may want to find one in turnkey condition if your not a "handy" kind of person. And another thing the hull is alot tougher then alot of people think. Because of our stupidity we lost anchor hold in a bad storm in the middle of the night once and spent 8 hours banging against the rocky shore with no damage. Was caught in a sudden tornado that came within 1/4 mile from us and no time to get to shore (were in Oklahoma) and have sailed sailed in 25 mph sustained winds with gust to 35...(not advised) and the only thing we worried about was getting demasted. Yes, were not on the coast but short choppy 2 foot waves coming from wind and yacht wakes from all different directions is scary as hell! I do know the difference I lived in Baltimore for 10 years and sailed the Chesapeake with friends. The point I am making is the Mac (Venture) is tougher then what alot of people think. My advise to you is do your homework. Good luck and hopefully you will find the one that fits you and your wife...and your dogs of course!  

A Venture/Mac is probably right up your alley. Big ticket= motor/sails/old trailers. Old Macs are known to leak topside in various places. Nothing a little effort can't fix. Make sure you understand how to check the condition of a boat - learn what a core is and how to check one. Some things are a PIA to fix. Know the value of things before offering up. Before you know it you'll be hooked...  

thanks for responses haven't seen the boat yet elderly man bought the 22 venture said its late 70 early 80 model . w/trailer, cabin raises. was kept under roof until he got it 2years ago said its in sailing condition just need cleaned. he never took it out too much work to set up by him self. when snow clears we will see boat how do you check swing keels condition its on trailer. also check the hull whats best way to and what am I looking for I know basic ,the keel and hull core are the areas i need advise price of boat is 1,000.00  

A core is a filling between two layers of fiberglass that should be fully stuck. On a boat such as that Venture they are likely 3/8 plywood in most places. If water gets into a core it can rot it out causing soft spots on the decks or worse. For us it was worse. Walk they decks and topsides everywhere watching for spots that sink. You can get a good idea of a core condition such as these using the butt end (handle) of a screw driver as a tapper. Everywhere there is a core you tap tap tap tap all over the core listening. A good core has a thack thack thack sound. A wet core goes "thunk". You can't miss it. Its best to tap both above and below the entire core if possible. A wet core isn't always the end of the world - it depends on where it is what it does that matters. A soft spot in a foredeck might be lived with but a wet core under a mast step or in a cockpit floor should probably be attended to. That boat likely has cores in these places: Foredeck, both side decks, cockpit seats, cabin top under mast, cockpit floor, under hatch covers. We ended up replacing almost every core on our boat thanks to the failed silicon previous owners used to seal things and our ignorance concerning such things upon purchase. We also ended up with rags for sails that we still haven't replaced. Don't get me wrong - we love our shabby little boat but don't be fooled by a nice coat of house paint when writing the check. I will leave the keel part to someone with more knowledge on the subject. Good luck.  

thanks top cat your talking about top decks and lower decks ? how about the hull is it core or solid  

mark west said: thanks top cat your talking about top decks and lower decks ? how about the hull is it core or solid Click to expand

Mark if it all appears to be there, especially the sails (not ripped up) you will probably be alright. Basically the advise these guys are giving is to make sure it's not rotted from the inside out. Also make sure there are no BIG cracks in the fiberglass anywhere especially around the mast step (where your mast connects to cabin top). You will probably see some small spider cracks but thats not a killer. With the keel that kind of takes an experienced eye on how the bolt connects, but at least look up underneath there and make sure that the keel is not totally rotted out, like huge pits. The good thing with a few bucks, elbow grease and knowledge you learn here online you can bring an ugly old boat back to life and be proud of it and the improvements you made. My boat was litterally black when I got it. Take someone with you thats familiar with sailboats and don't be afraid to negotiate with the fellow since you will probably have to spend around $600-800 for a descent used outboard. I don't kn  

I don't know about the market there, but if it's all there and just needs some TLC as they say, it sounds like a fair deal. Are all the cabin cushions intact? Does it have the pretty rosey red windows?  

Sock Puppet

How big are your dogs? This may seem like a small thing, but it's not. While I really, really liked my Mac 22 it got small pretty fast. I'm in a different place with two kids, but two dogs can take up a lot of space as well. in my mind the 22 is a prettier boat than the 26, and it may have had a slight edge in "feel" while sailing, but I wouldn't go back after having the 26. With that said, I sold it to a couple who wanted it for their first boat and I've heard from them since that they are more than happy with it. My advice is to not get in a hurry. You'll probably know the right boat when you find it. $1000 more on the asking price is really insignificant once you have an idea of what costs/improvements can run. If you're able, it's better to buy one that's closer to being done than not. Little things like cockpit cushions can cost way more than you think. Absolutely go look at a 26S before buying a Mac 22 or 25. Seriously. They are nice boats, but the 26 has an interior layout that you may find worth the added cost.  

thanks all of you for advice will net you know more when i can see boat .owners 83 and cant go to were boat is stored in this weather .  

Our second boat was a '72 V-222. Great boat. Cozy for two people. will sleep four. Good sailer. Added genoa and spinnaker. Had her for five years. Used to drop anchor at Catalina for a week at a time. Recommend long shaft 7.5 HP outboard. Traded up to V-25. Keep us posted.  

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• 22 Macgregor Sailboats

22 Macgregor Sailboats Boats for sale

'79 MacGregor Venture 22

Saratoga Springs, New York

Make Macgregor

Model Venture

Category Daysailer Sailboats

Length 22.0

Posted Over 1 Month

Excellent Daysailer. I learned to sail solo on Lake George with this boat. Handles like a dream. I've slept on it a number of time. The ads will say it sleeps four. I'd say two adults and two small children. The hull has been scraped, but not painted. I kept it on the trailer when I wasn't using it. So, I didn't need to paint it. I've replaced all the wiring, the stern light, the winch strap for the trailer, and the cable for the swing keel. The cushions have all been recovered with vinyl. Last July, I had the plugs, points, head gasket replaced, and the carb rebuilt on the motor. It's old. But, if you let it warm up for a few minutes, it will run all day. Boat comes with: --main and jib sails-- like new sheets, halyards, dock and anchor lines (bought at the beginning of last season).--'67 Envinrude 9.5 hp 2 cycle motor w/ long shaft (runs well)--5 gal. fuel tank--two life jackets--3 step hook ladder--trailer is included in sale (2" ball required) The usual info:Hull: monohull w/ swing keelRig: masthead sloopLOA: 22'LWL:18'Beam: 7.33'Draft: 1' (keel up)/ 6' (keel down)Displacement 1800lbs.

SAILBOAT 22' Venture 222 daysailer with trailer sails and outboard

Randolph, New Jersey

Model Venture 222

This sailboat has a swing-down keel and pop-up top. It sleeps four. Model is 1971 VENTURE 222 built by Macgregor Yacht Corp.Evinrude Yachwin 8hp motor is very clean and runs good. Comes with fuel tank.Sails and covers with windows are in good shape.Clean NJ title. Boat was last registered 2013.Trailer is road worthy and has bearing buddies with zerk fittings. Just purchased new trailer lights and wiring.Comes with misc items: ladder, bumpers, anchor, etcCushions are all there and in decent shape. Interior could perhaps benefit from some new paint.Last photo is of a similar boat with the pop-up in the up position so you can see what it looks like. It really opens up the cabin and provides good standing room.NJ delivery is available / negotiable. Viewable In Randolph 07869 Feel free to contact me for an appointment to view the boat.

2010 Macgregor m26

Naples, Florida

Category Sailboats

2010 Macgregor m26, FSBO Black on white, charcoal Bimini two years old. Sails jib is about one year old, main is months old and spinnaker is like new. 90 horse Suzuki, aluminum trailer. Air conditioner. Spare rudder and dagger board. Coast guard package w two anchors. This is the perfect shallow water cruiser for the Gulf Coast. $22,000, 845-772-1940. Price reduced new boat coming, must sell . All, offers considered.

1983 Macgregor 25 Sailboat

Safety Harbor, Florida

Model 25 Sailboat

1983 Macgregor 25 Sailboat,The Macgregor 25 sailboat is sought after for its shallow draft, fast sailing and ability to be easily trailered. With a cast iron swing keel this sail boat floats in only 22 inches of water. - Perfect for day sailing in the bay and island hopping.This sailboat has been well maintained and comes with lots of newer parts. Includes: trailer, 2 main sails, genoa, jib, 9.9 Johnson outboard, canvas poptop, nice interior cushions, new teak, new windows, deep cell battery, fish finder and much more.Everything that you need to go sailing today.The boat is located in Safety Harbor close to Tampa Bay and Clearwater Beach Florida. Call now to schedule a showing. (727)902-8165 $3500, 7279028165

2010 Macgregor 26M

Spring Lake, Michigan

Category Sloop Sailboats

2010 Macgregor 26M The Macgregor 26M is a trailerable coastal cruiser, powerboat, ski boat, party barge and floating home all wrapped into one hull. The obvious design compromises in a motorboat-sailboat hybrid have made many owners smile. The Macgregor 26 is a hybrid appealing primarily to trailersailors strapped for time and concerned about the rising cost of slip and mooring fees. At 26 feet it is simple to rig and sail, and just as easy to transport. Instead of chugging with the diesel at 4 knots, the Macgregor 26M speeds along at 22 mph. The boat was also able to explore quiet coves or nestle onto sandy beaches because its twin rudders and daggerboard that require only 12 inches water when retracted. This Macgregor 26M is a ONE OWNER BOAT. She was purchase NEW from the Factory in June of 2010. The boat is currently under the winter cover at the sellers home and is in need of a very good detailing. She is equipped with a lot of extra gear. Make arrangements for your personal showing today...........

Gosport, England

2010 Macgregor 26M These boats are quite amazing as it is possible to sail or even water-ski behind her. She is on a twin axle trailer and her rigging can be raised single handed. It also has removable water ballast of 521 Kgs, with a 60hp outboard under power she is capable of speeds up 22knots.This boat has been well looked after and has a high specification of electronics.The boat is only reluctantly for sale as the owner has purchased a bigger vessel and is not allowed two boats!These boat details are subject to contract.Note: Offers on the asking price may be considered.

MacGregor 26 Swing Keel Sailboat / Trailer in Excellent Condition ready WI Sail!

Egg Harbor, Wisconsin

Make Macgregor 26S

Model 26 Swing Keel With Trailer

Length 26.0

The MacGregor 26S MacGregor 26 Swing Keel Sailboat 1994 with Trailer in Excellent Condition ready to Sail! This is a 1994 MacGregor 26S Sailboat with trailer and 8 hp outboard motor in excellent condition. It accepts a 2 inch ball mount trailer hitch. The total trailer weight is about 2000 lbs, so pretty much any V-6 vehicle can tow this without any extra equipment. Any Minivan for example will work fine. It includes everything needed to sail. Three sails including a main, a roller furling Genoa and a drifter / spinnaker are included . This sailboat is wheel steered with binnacle mounted motor remote controls and instruments. Everything is in excellent condition and the trailer tires are brand new Goodyear Marathon trailer tires. It also has an extra motor mount for a trolling motor or small outboard secondary engine. This boat has many upgrades including wheel steering and a Rudder Craft Mac 26S HDPE High Performance Replacement Rudder as well as the stock rudder as a spare, a MMSD pump out porta toilet, a CDI roller furling Genoa and a main sail cover as well as life lines and bow and stern pulpits, a swim ladder, a solar panel and an Autohelm ST 30 Bidata to name a few. The 8 HP Tohatsu (Nissan) outboard model M8B also has electric start and an alternator. The MacGregor 26S, 1990 to 1995, replaced the dagger board with a swing centerboard (which kicks up in an accidental grounding) and made other smaller changes. Together, the 26D and 26S are often called the "classic" MacGregor 26, and sometimes the 26C. Owners of these earlier models tend to refer to them as "the real sailboats" prior to the changes coming with the MacGregor 26X. The V-berth can handle 2 people/kids and has storage underneath, the settee can accommodate another person and plenty more storage under there, in the cabin galley /kitchen area is a sink and a mirrored bulkhead with plenty of storage under the sink. Behind the ladder going into the cockpit is a queen sized, super comfortable bed which is also located right below the cockpit. This boat has a POP-UP roof over the galley area that rotates up and out of the way while boat is at anchor / berth which gives unlimited head room in the cabin. This vessel includes all tools and supplies needed for maintenance and use like a nice Windex for mast top mounting. a manual bilge pump, an anchor with rode, a new gallon of bottom paint, a new fuel tank with hose, a remote controlled stereo, cockpit cushions, a wind scoop etc. I am the third owner of this nice Mac and all paperwork including the Wisconsin Title and the original purchase contract when new are included as well as a IL trailer title from the previous owner. (Note, a few pictures are from the previous owner in IL and we do not have trailer titles in WI.) It is located in Door County, WI in the city of Egg Harbor, WI north of Green Bay at my summer cottage while I live in Milwaukee, WI. If you have any questions please do ask as all inquiries will be responded to. Thanks for your interest. Hull Type: Centerboard (Trunk) Rig Type: Fractional Sloop LOA: 25.82' / 7.87m LWL: 23.50' / 7.16m Beam: 7.82' / 2.38m Listed SA: 235 ft2 / 21.83 m2 Draft (max.) 6.33' / 1.93m Draft (min.) 1.25' / 0.38m Disp. 2850 lbs./ 1293 kgs. Ballast: 1200 lbs. / 544 kgs. SA/Disp.: 18.75 Bal./Disp.: 42.07% Disp./Len.: 98.04 Designer: Roger Macgregor Builder: Macgregor Yacht Corp. (USA) Construct.: FG Bal. type: Water First Built: 1990 Last Built: 1995 # Built: RIG DIMENSIONS KEY I: 22.00' / 6.71m J: 9.67' / 2.95m P: 25.17' / 7.67m E: 10.25' / 3.12m PY: EY: SPL: ISP: SA(Fore.): 106.37 ft2 / 9.88 m2 SA(Main): 129.00 ft2 / 11.98 m2 Total(calc.)SA: 235.37 ft2 / 21.87 m2 DL ratio: 98.04 SA/Disp: 18.78 Est. Forestay Len.: 24.03' / 7.32m Mast Height from DWL: 32.25' / 9.83m BUILDERS (past & present) More about & boats built by: Macgregor Yacht Corp DESIGNER More about & boats designed by: Roger MacGregor NOTES Dry boat weight: 1650 lbs. Centerboard weight: 50 lbs. An earlier model, called the MACGREGOR 26 D was similar but with a (vertically) lifting keel. (also with water ballast = reduced weight for trailering. Not to be adjusted while sailing). Spinnaker area: 360 sq. ft. Click Here for the Owner's Manual Click Here for Information on a Modified Macgregor 26S Click Here for More Pictures of this Vessel Happy Owner's Review: My Experience with the MacGregor 26S ("Classic") "Having owned and sailed extensively a 26S for three years, I can report that indeed it does actually sail fairly well and lives up to its reputation of being a roomy and easily trailered pocket cruiser. At the time it was the only sailboat that met my budgetary needs, had room enough for my family of three to cruise for up to a week at a time, and trailered well to let us explore waters from Maine to Key West. Yes, it's a light boat, but I had a lot of sailing experience and was cautious and never had trouble in winds to 30 knots - and I didn't try anything foolish like taking it offshore. Yes, the fiberglass was thin, but I avoided running into rocks. I took my 3-year-old out on solo daysails and have no regrets. I sold it to a family of four, their first boat, and heard from them a few years later that they'd thoroughly enjoyed tons of sailing. Thousands of other MacGregor owners have had similar experiences."

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• Sailboat Guide

1980 Macgregor Venture 22

• Description

Seller's Description

Fun first sailboat! Needs a new keel cable. Price discounted for this reason. Buy now and have it ready before next sailing season! Was a great learning experience. Looking for a day sailer I can tow with my car.

Equipment: - Evinrude 6hp 2-stroke outboard motor (runs great) - Shangkai 4hp 4-stroke outboard motor - fresh bottom paint(spring 2021) - fresh polymer gelcoat (spring 2021) - brand new halyards - brand new main sheet - new 3 gal fuel tank - new life jackets (3 adult/1 youth) - USCG approved distress signals - fire extinguisher (unmounted) - new fire extinguisher (not mounted) - Sail/tiller/winch covers - boat hook - new anchor/chain and rode (used 1 time) - new main sail sliders - trailer with new bearing buddies

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

• SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
• D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
• LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
• LOA: Length overall in feet
• Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

Besides certain hardware, hatch types, and small rig differences, the VENTURE 22, VENTURE 222, and MACGREGOR 22 are similar. Thanks to a number of Venture/Mac owners for providing updated information. Thanks also to Sam Tricky for providing a number of corrections.

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