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Venture 17 restoration

83K views 299 replies 30 participants last post by  NickMo 
#1 ·
Here are some of the pictures of my restoration project ( more like resurection), of my Venture 17 a couple of years ago.

link:IMGP0610 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

You can click the icon for Venture resto if you don't want to see all my other stuff.
 
#3 · (Edited)
Wow, fabulous job it looks like to me Joe.

Was the bow that weak that it needed plywood reinforcing on both top and bottom?

What was the hardest part of the whole restoration?

Was it worth it, to you and your boys?
Thanks,
I put more into it than it was worth as far as resale value, but it was a fun experience so it was worth it.
The bow was ugly on the topside is why I added the plywood on top. Plus it was a little bit weak under foot, or I would have used something thinner. It feels good and stout now, and I didn't add that much extra topside weight.
The hardest part was actually getting the keel out of the boat. It had swelled up inside the trunk because of salt water between the fiberglass and the steel bar. I had to cut it out with a sawzall, and hammer it with a sledge hammer.
 
#6 ·
Well the original project, which was pretty much everything, amazingly was done in 4 months. There were several factors involved for the speed. I was really excited to do something new, I wanted a boat real bad, I didn't have any other projects at the time, and I new that if I let it go too long I might never finish it.
I did have to rebuild the keel a second time, because the first time I used polyester resin instead of epoxy. I found out the hard way that polyester resin only sticks to itself.
Live and learn, thats what it's all about.
 
#7 ·
Wow, 4 months isnt to bad. I believe I am aiming for about the same. Mine is primarily to fix up and sell but also to learn. If I have it done by the beginning of the summer I will be fine because that should be the best time to sell.

By the way, what made you want to seperate the hull form the deck?
 
#8 ·
The boat had been full of rainwater and all of the wood inside was rotten. I didn't feel like I could do the job right without better access to all the interior space.
I wouldn't try that on a bigger boat, but for this one, I'm glad I did. I would never had been able to reach some of the areas to clean and paint otherwise. Also, I couldn't patch the underside of the deck the way I wanted to if I had tried to do it inside the boat working over my head. Gravity is a big help when working with epoxy ;)

Like you I wanted the learning experience, and I definitely got that. Some stuff I did wrong out of ignorance and had to do over, and there are still some things I'm gonna change, but overall I got pretty lucky for a first time boat resurrector.
 
#9 ·
High how is it going awesome looking boat.

Anyway i am about to buy a v17 and it need to be refinished and all the hardwear has been taken off so i am not sure where it goes but it is all there.
I was wondering if you have some info/pics that would help me with where everything goes?
Also what did you refinish it with?
 
#10 ·
Thanks. Look at all my pictures on the largest size and you should be able to see where my stuff is mounted. I really don't know where the hardware was originally, as mine was such a wreck when I started. Where I have it works well for me though. If you need more pictures, let me know. I think I've got some that show where everything is. If not I can draw it out for you and email it to you.
As far as the finish ( if you mean the paint ) , you may think I'm crazy, but so far it has been an excellent choice. I used Valspar, Acrylic Latex.
I originally bought some very expensive boat paint ( the bottom blue is still painted with that). It was $69 per gallon. After only one year it was mildewed, and looked horrible. I started researching online. I found a great website that had a lot of useful info. He was saying how large the house paint market is and how much research goes into that type of paint. Also the adhesion properties of latex verses oil base are better. Here's the link -

Boat Repair Hindsight - Tips, Tricks, Rules of Thumb.

After much hesitation and fretting ( what if he's wrong, I'll have to do it over again ), I went for it. I looked for the best acrylic latex I could find. I can tell you. My boat looks as good today as it did a year ago. There are no signs at all of wear or mildew or anything. It has also held up very well to abrasion. I have hit the side of the dock pretty hard a couple of times with no damage to the paint. I'll never use the pricey stuff again.
 
#11 ·
Belive it not thats what i was thinking about painting it with the boat is only 300 and its in b=pretty good shape no rot. Its really just ugly needs paint and i dont want to spend alot... it has 2jibs and they are both in good shape and in has a genoa or spiniker not sure which it is on these boats and its in ok shape the only problem is the main was in a fight with a rat and it took some out up top but i think i can patch it easy enough do you know how much a new sail would cost?
 
#14 ·
Go to Lowe's and buy one gallon of their best oil base primer, and Valspar semi-gloss exterior acrylic latex of what ever color you choose.
Make sure all your surfaces are as clean and dry as possible. If you are unsure of the surface condition, lightly sand it for maximum adhesion.
If you want shine, roll it on and tip it with a dry brush, for top side areas where you want to walk just roll it on and leave it. It will leave a small amount of ruffness for grip .
 
#16 ·
Primer is only $20 per gallon, give or take a few bucks.
I have a jib and a 130 genoa. I had a spinaker that was pretty rough but no pole. I have never tried to use one so I never invested in a pole or new spinaker. I could easily be wrong, but from my ( limited ) experience, lake sailing doesn't give to many oportunities for a spinaker. The wind is always shifting around, and that's not so good with a spinaker.
 
#17 ·
Rig a preventer, pole out the genoa, and sail wing and wing. Being small and light, these boats are a hand full. I don't have a spinaker or the pole for one, but I can't imagine a spinaker would be effective enough to warrant it's use. Hull speed is not that great. You're going to be slow no mater what you do. If you want pics of my setup, wait a few months (My boat is buried under two feet of snow), and PM me.
 
#18 ·
Hey, whada-ya-mean, slow hull speed? I outran a Chrysler 22 last summer !

No, seriously, your right, hull speed is about 5.5 knots. But with such a small boat and being close to the water, it still feels pretty fast. And there are those boats that you can beat...:D
 
#19 ·
Lucky i live in texas lol 75 today and sunny. Anyway i just started sanding the hull i will post some pictures up later. I really need some help with the riging though the mast is simi rigged but i have no clue if its right and etc pictures of anyones rigging would be really helpful. I think i have 4 different sails just for reference i have the main, jib, A large colorful sail that i belive is the genoa and a smaller sail that is the same type of material as the main and jib but is shorter then the jib but wider at the botom with clips on one side i think it is probably the spiniker?

Here are some pictures from the day i got it.
 

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#21 · (Edited)
Its really not as bad as it looks that was when i first picked it up last week. We already sanded most of the right side and it is mostly white now the top half is actually the tanish color Also we fished sanding most of the wood and being teak it actually looks pretty nice now. And tips on clean/sanding the old paint out of the textured areas?

here are afew pics from when i first got it home and just put the mast up.
 

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#22 ·
#24 ·
I can't imagine ever needing winces on a V-17. If you've got wind big enough to need a winch, you would probably be wise to drop the sails and hope you can get out alive. They are definitely not original.
 
#26 ·
... and another

Guys, thanks for this thread- just brought my '72 V17 home last weekend. My first boat...

Anyhow, I admire the work you're doing and have done- these are cool little boats.

I'm working out some kinks, which of course means rebuilding the keel, but seems like she's in very original shape. Bought her from original owners in western Kansas, and they were in love with her... she was still filled with the original styrofoam floatation blocks!

Anyhow, I'll be working on her again this weekend and will take some pics covering hardware. Also, the sellers gave me some original docs from MacGregor- rigging and keel operation instructions as well as some sales brochures... not sure if these are online anywhere, so I'll get'em scanned in and posted ASAP... if nothing else they're entertaining (!)

cheers
 

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#28 ·
Nice boat scott i still have the foam too. I still have the original bed pads too. lol I would be interested in the rigging Documents. Anyway update i have almost finished sanding the lower hull and am getting ready to prime it.
I got to crawl into the back yester day to to take of the motor mount ladder and rudder mount so i could sand it and well that is alot of fun. On deck i still have not decided how to sand the textuered areas so if anyone has any pointers please help. My only ideas were to either pressure was or maybe a foam sand block would get down in the bumps?

Why does alot of people have to rebuild the keel?
 
#29 ·
Getting to the back of the quarter berths is a real bugger. That's when a 13 year old helper is nice. :)
On the nonskid, if it's peeling, I would use Kutzit brand, paint remover. That's what I used on my hull. It had so many layers of paint I couldn't get it smooth. It works very well, you just have to be careful and not let it affect the gel coat. If you are careful, and use it on small areas at a time it will do fine. Make sure and wear a mask though, the fumes are dangerous.
The keel on mine had split and swelled up from intruding water. I think that is a common problem.
 
#31 ·
Looks smooth as a babies butt.

Oh , incase you didn't notice in my pictures, I used black anchor line to replace the plastic bumper stuff around the rails. I glued it on with black 3M 5200. It works great and was way cheaper than the plastic stuff, and easier to come by.
 
#35 ·
excellent stuff- thanks for that link... that's pretty much all the stuff i was going to post.

joe, looking again at your pictures- what year is your boat? no bow rail or life lines/stancheons?- is that a mod that you did or is that stock for that year?

also, i'm looking at going with an electric troller too- where did you locate your batteries?

thanks
 
#36 ·
excellent stuff- thanks for that link... that's pretty much all the stuff i was going to post.

joe, looking again at your pictures- what year is your boat? no bow rail or life lines/stancheons?- is that a mod that you did or is that stock for that year?

also, i'm looking at going with an electric troller too- where did you locate your batteries?

thanks
My boat is a '72. I took the bow pulpit off cause it made it where I couldn't get the boat in my garage. I didn't really need it anyway and it looks cleaner without it (imho). I am pretty sure that lifeline stanchions were optional. Mine has never had them. I think they would be in the way too on a boat this small. With toe rails added my feet won't slip off and I can hold on to the fore stay or shrouds and move around the deck safely.
I have a 4hp Mercury and a 70lb thrust trolling motor. I prefer the troll if I don't expect to need it much that day. If I want to be out longer, I feel safer having the gas motor. Never know when a battery might decide to give up.
They both push the boat fine. It's easier with the trolling motor, lighter and instant power when you want it, and it's totally quiet.
I mounted the battery right in the cabin floor inside the companion way. I use an Optima marine battery for my sailboat and kayak, so I don't have to worry about acid spills.
 
#37 ·
... actually, looking closer at the v17 price list on the MOANE site, it looks like the pulpit and lifelines were options... also offered winches, which it looks like kole's boat has

well, i've stripped mine of all hardware, and i'm thinking i'm leaving the pulpit and the lifelines off. the life lines are just trip hazards, and the sidedecks seem more usable w/o them...

and as for the pulpit, well, mac definitely botched the fabrication and/or install on mine- you might be able to see in one of the pics just how far inboard the aft starboard deck attachment is compared to the one to port... the thing's totally cockeyed (!) added character i guess... anyway, i like the clean low pro look of joe's... kind of southern california style... as of now, one deformed pulpit and original set of lifelines are for sale.
 
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