Venture 23 vs Cruiser 22

mcatan2468 · Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2016 9:34 am Post subject: Venture 23 vs Cruiser 22

I am new to C-Brats. Very close to purchasing a new boat. I am guessing this topic has been covered in the past but don't know where to find it. My question is: What are major differences and advantages in the two boats? 23 Venture or 22 Cruiser

thataway · Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2016 9:58 am Post subject:

To me the important difference is that the 23 has 4" more beam, a slightly larger cockpit, and slightly more deadrise.

For performance, this means the boat can carry a larger motor, and thus can go slightly faster. The ride is slightly better in head seas.

Any of these boats are a little different than the usual deep V hull. They are flat and tend to pound, going into seas, unless you put the bow down. My feeling is that both benefit from both trim tabs and Permatrim foils on the motor.

MikeR · Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2016 10:25 am Post subject:

Bob hit the main points, a couple of more differences (as observed from being on new models at dealers / boat shows this year, if you are buying new) are the $25k price difference and slightly higher quality of finish, for example cabin head liner and fully lined hull with foam insulation in the Venture, although the finish of the current generation of 22' from NMI is also very good. Of course the 23 is also heavier and uses a larger trailer, if towing is a consideration.

BrentB · Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2016 11:47 am Post subject:

This was posted previously and I didn't know if you seen a pictorial between CD 22 and CC23

http://web.archive.org/web/20070403042402/http://www.threeriversmarineinc.com/compare.html

BrentB · Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2016 11:53 am Post subject:

23 CC specs and pics

http://www.downhomeroots.com/3riv/venture.html
and

http://www.downhomeroots.com/3riv/venturepictures.html

Sunbeam · Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2016 11:55 am Post subject:

MikeR mentioned it, but: towing considerations. I almost bought a 23 (deal didn't work out) but ended up with a 22. As it turns out I'm lucky because while the 22 works really well with all of my chosen tow vehicles, the extra 1,000# or so (towing weight) of the 23 wouldn't have worked well at all (for me). It just crosses a divide that separates certain classes of tow rigs. That may or may not be a thing for you depending on your towing/tow rig plans.

thataway · Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2016 12:18 pm Post subject:

Not all of us feel that a headliner and vinyl interior is a plus. There has been mold in the foam backer and on the vinyl, and there has been delimitation of the surface vinyl from the foam, and the foam come unglued from the fiberglass.

One nice thing about the traditional spartan interior is that one can turn a hose on it after a trip and wash it out. I personally feel that the fiberglass finish is easier to clean.

Both are good boats. The Venture came about in a circuitous way, involving previous owners of C Dory, a non disclosure clause, a court judgement, and the molds went to the then owner of the C Dory company. I am not sure who owns the molds now, but they are used by NorthWestern Marine.

jennykatz · Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2016 12:23 pm Post subject: 23 vs 22

Having owned both boats Likes and dislikes
23
larger cockpit 4 chairs vs 2
bigger fuel tanks 30vs 25gallons
fiberglass interior although now they all have the fiberglass finish
Much better ride in head sea
bigger bed
faster cruising speed 20 mph-25 mph vs 16 mph-20 mph
higher gunnel all around cockpit

dislikes
Extra 500lb -1000lb difference
May need bigger engine We have the merc115 CT plenty of power
More cost bigger trailer

What sold me was the cockpit space and ride and if you don't gussy it up it's very comparable to the cd 22
t

starcrafttom · Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2016 12:23 pm Post subject:

http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?t=8201&start=45&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=

Just read the parts I wrote because the rest are wrong Wink

starcrafttom · Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2016 1:49 pm Post subject:

When the cc23 first came out I test road one for a friend and then wrote up what I thought about it. I would like to review that after all this time and having fished on another friends cc23 a lot the last year. But I jut spent a hour looking for it. Searching forums is not my skill set. some help please.

thataway · Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2016 4:30 pm Post subject:

Here is the first posts on the Cape Cruiser 23.

Tom's only post was on the 4th page, and he had not yet tested it.

Mark Toland's comments on CC 23

thataway · Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2016 5:14 pm Post subject:

Tom,
I ran thru your posts and "Cape Cruiser" thru Sept 2007 (about the time that Cape Cruiser/Venture was finally "accepted" into the C Dory family. (Including some very long and painful memory-posts, which happened before then). I did not find a specific review of a sea trial, but a number of comments on the CC 23. Do you remember the time frame when you did the sea trial?

Sunbeam · Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2016 6:46 pm Post subject:

I haven't been underway in a CC23, but have spent some time on a Marinaut 21. If (and that's an "if") the CC23 hull shape is more similar to the Marinaut 21, then I'd say it goes through the water a bit nicer than a 22, and likely has a bit more reserve buoyancy in the stern.

That makes it sound like the 23 is a no-brainer (and it probably is, hull-shape-wise), but there are some nice things about the 22 as well. I think it's a bit cuter (more of the classic little boat that could look, plus I think the side windows look better), the galley is, I believe a smidge longer, the tow weight, and just the VW bus simplicity factor. On the other hand the CC23 has the hull shape, slightly wider side decks (not sure that matters as they are all narrow), slightly larger foredeck, slightly larger cockpit, and maybe nicer splashwell/platform area (?).

I don't believe the 23 ever came with the marine ply interior, if that matters to you (CC23 has molded interior as do later 22's).

If you are buying used - and unless any/some of the above is/are either a must-have or a deal breaker - then you may end up with whichever you find that's in the condition/location you like.

Like you, I'd be looking into the differences and similarities before buying.

Will-C · Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2016 11:37 am Post subject: Venture 23 vs Cruiser 22

We had a 2008 Venture that came with a fully insulated interior. We had a 150 hp Yamaha four stroke the boat could easily cruise a 27 to 30 mph in fairly smooth conditions. It came with standard storage under the V berth cushions with hatches on the sides an the center front storage area had a large Starboard type cover. We added a rooftop air conditioner and a windless. We had a Permatrim and an Autopilot. We did not have any issues with the interior but we always kept an electric heater in the cabin to prevent the mold. With out an insulated interior condensation will form in certain conditions and will drop on you head while in the V berth. and is particularly uncomfortable after spending that kind of money.The actual Ventures of that era came standard hot water heater, galvanic isolator, interior window covers and side curtains. They had two 120 volt GFI outlets with a shore power set up with a battery charger. Plus a couple 12volt DC outlet plug sockets. They had large step type boxes that made getting on and off a lot easier than a 22' cruiser. A swim platform with ladder. They were not as sensitive to weight as much as the 22's. They had a nice steering wheel with a tilt helm and you could have the passenger side dinette set to face forward or towards the table. Our loaded trailer weight was about 5500 pounds on a tandem dual axle Float On trailer with electric over hydraulic Kodiak disc brakes. We live in Pa and trailered the boat to Grand Teton Jackson lake, Yellowstone Lake and Flaming Gorge. It was also make from Maine to Florida and the Bayville Wisconsin to see the Apostle islands on Lake Superior.
We staying campgrounds along the way. It was a great boat an we lived on it for a month at a time numerous trips to the Florida Keys for month long stays during the winter months. We only sold it because we wanted to spend more time on the boat and wanted some more amenities that would make our longer stays more comfortable. For my wife a bathroom was high on her list but we managed fine with a upgraded porta potty with a 5 gallon waste tank instead of the standard 2.5 gallon waste tank.We cruised with 22's and the extra cockpit room was nice to have. We had a full camper top enclosure that made for an extra room that was rain tight.
I don't know what is really standard on the new Venture boats but I would want the same features if you were going travel on land and cruise with it as we did. We thought the boat was worth the extra dollars and we felt the Venture boats were really an evolution of the 22' cruisers. Most of which required do it yourself projects to try and remedy their short comings. The 22's are a little cuter if that really matters. Look at Will-C's photo album.
I loved that boat.
D.D.

starcrafttom · Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2016 2:10 pm Post subject:

Bob- I dont remember when it was. One of the old member, Young guy from kenmore, was looking to buy the cc23 or a 22. He had a defincae but it was messed up and he forced them to take it back. He asked me to test ride the boat and we meet the factor people at a ramp in the south sound. Great boat. I did write a review of my thoughts at the time.

About the hull. The hull is more then just a foot longer or a little more bow. The main difference to me in the hulls is the amount of sq ft touching the water. The 22 ,as you come from the bow to the stern, gets wider at the mid section and then narrow again. This causes a few things to happen. The stern drops into its own wake. That is why we all have to have trim taps to lift it up in the ass. Remember that this was a boat desined for a 70 2 stroke motor and that has really not changed. Its also why the boat is effected by the transfer of weight in the cabin ( at the widest point ). You have more leverage at the wide point then you do at the stern and this makes the boat a little tippy as people move around. Its the same problem I have on my 27 to a point. The CC23 widens out from the bow to the mid point in the hull and then keeps that width for the rest of the hull. This creates a lot of lift that makes for a more stable boat as you move around. It also creates more lift that allows for better mpg numbers. That lift also keeps the bow down more as you accelerate. You need far less trim tap on a cc23. I have spent the last two years fishing out of Troys cc23 a lot. Its a faster, better handling, smoother ride that gets better economy then a cd22. And the amount of room for fishing and sitting is noticeable. That said I still do not like the glass interior but I can live with it.

What I really like about the boat is the head room and being able to see out the windows while standing up or driving. I can not see out the side windows of a 22 more then 50 yards and some times not even that far. I can not stoop to look out, it kills my neck.

If I was in the market for a 22 or a 23 the 23 wins all day long. other then being more cute, which the 22 is, I see no advantage to it at all. the 23 does every thing the 22 does and more and does it better. I still loved the time I spent on my 22 and the 1800 hours I put on it in 5 years, but the cc23 is a better boat .