I have been looking at the 26' Venture and need some advice. Size of motor? Has anyone experience with the E-Tec175HP? Any pointers would be appreciated accessories that would make my stay aboard living more comfortable. Incidentally, I recently came across a new pocket pilothouse boat called the "Seaway 25' Coastal Cruiser". What advantages does the C-Dory have over that boat? Thanks to all C-Brats for your input. sddoc2@triwest.net
2009 26' VENTURE
- Thread starter dmengland
- Start date
Don't know if you saw it but I asked a similiar power thread:
http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?t=10954
Not a V 26, but similiar with owner's experiences.
http://www.c-brats.com/viewtopic.php?t=10954
Not a V 26, but similiar with owner's experiences.
Matt Gurnsey
New member
No expereince with the E-Tec 175 on that particular boat, but we have done a number of 175 E-Tecs this year, and have been really happy with the motor.
We have a 26 venture with 175 Suzuki sitting here waiting for better weather to do some sea trials with.
We have a 26 venture with 175 Suzuki sitting here waiting for better weather to do some sea trials with.
starcrafttom
Active member
I got a ride in a V-26 with the 200hp e-tec and it was great. They are the same block and the same weight. Great running boat with a good ride. with the 200 , and Iam sure the 175 as well, we could trim down the bow in the chop and smooth out the ride with out loosing speed. Also able to run at lower rpms and still cruice at 20 knots. I really like the combo.
Wow. Roger you are right on the mark. A bit shorter than the RF, maybe with "harder" chines. I don't like the layout as much and Ibet they will not get anywhere near the mileage figures at 5Kts I have about 27 ft of waterline and can just get 4 - 5 mpg (Nautical) at 5 Kts but only if I am following a TC 255 
Didn't see the price and didn't see any "Drop Test" results
Merv
Didn't see the price and didn't see any "Drop Test" results
Merv
The Seaway 25 looks like a fairly typical "Down east" boat--agree chines may be slightly harder, which will lower planing speed--and take it out of the true semi dispalcement class. The sharper entry will mean less pounding--not as much flare--might mean more spray.
The pluses I see over the R 24 is the longer V bunks (the short bunks were a deal killer for us)--I also like the head (at least from photos) better than either the C Dory 25 or the R 24. It looks as if the boat may require a little less hp than the R 24--and they claim (always hard to really substantiate) that the boat only burns 1/2 gallon an hour at 5 knots--giving a range of 800 miles... Also there is a large holding tank--I might want a smaller holding tank, and perhaps a few more gallons of fuel...
I notice that Old Lyme Marine is a dealer for the Seaway boats (as well as the C Dory line).
Doryman and I drove by an interesting "Semi Dory" in Port Saint Joe yesterday. It had a true flat bottom--probably was all wood, and had bright finished cabin sides with glass all around. I bypassed it on the way home, or would have stopped to look closer and take a photo. I think I have seen pictures of this--or a very similar boat somewhere in the recent past.
Try out the various boats before buying. Don't go on reviews or what others say. See what fits you the best.
The pluses I see over the R 24 is the longer V bunks (the short bunks were a deal killer for us)--I also like the head (at least from photos) better than either the C Dory 25 or the R 24. It looks as if the boat may require a little less hp than the R 24--and they claim (always hard to really substantiate) that the boat only burns 1/2 gallon an hour at 5 knots--giving a range of 800 miles... Also there is a large holding tank--I might want a smaller holding tank, and perhaps a few more gallons of fuel...
I notice that Old Lyme Marine is a dealer for the Seaway boats (as well as the C Dory line).
Doryman and I drove by an interesting "Semi Dory" in Port Saint Joe yesterday. It had a true flat bottom--probably was all wood, and had bright finished cabin sides with glass all around. I bypassed it on the way home, or would have stopped to look closer and take a photo. I think I have seen pictures of this--or a very similar boat somewhere in the recent past.
Try out the various boats before buying. Don't go on reviews or what others say. See what fits you the best.
Bob that is a Lowell Boatyard built boat that some friends of ours own from Indian Pass . I have a subgallery of photos from my Wife's Wooden Boat festival in Apalachicola with that boat . It is remarkably C dory like . Pics are Here.Oh and we have a 26 Venture for sale with a 175 E Tec I will run and report on .
Marc .
Marc .
Take a look:
Seaway 25 Coastal Cruiser
Here is our cabin model, also known as a pocket cruiser, for cruising the waters of Maine to the coast of Florida, and the west coast. Anywhere there is water between the Atlantic and the Pacific, you can enjoy this boat. She is a shallow draft, dry, easy ride. With her Stove, Refrigerator, Sink, Shower, and head, she has all the amenities of home. She will sleep three adults, or 2 adults and 2 small children. There is plenty of space for mates to cruise along and be comfortable. The Table will drop down to make a couch. There is a walk around on the outside of the cabin, and a SS steel bow rail that encompasses the entire perimeter.
The stove is 1 burner butane with the option of having a 2 burner(1 electric and 1 butane). There are outlets for your coffee maker, so you can sit back and enjoy the morning sun or the sunset at the end of an enjoyable day of cruising. You can also add a microwave, keeping your life simple and enjoying the day.
The boat is all composite fiberglass. The only wood used in our boats is for the trim. This boat has an 80 gal. fuel tank, 37 gal. fresh water, and 45 gal holding tank. Both of the front windshields open to let the wind flow through the boat when you are enjoying the inside or are taking a cruise.
The boat weighs 5800 lbs with motor and fuel. It is trailerable with a beam of 8 ft. 6 ins., and 24 ft. long. It is called a 25, as it has a swim platform on the rear with a motor, and a pulpit in the front.
The motor that is recommened is a 100 or a 150 HP. This boat has a draft of 14", and with the spray rails, there is no water coming over the sides.
You can have whatever hull color you would like. We offer all the colors of the AWLGRIP color chart. The deck, house, and inside are always white.
There are several options available. Although it has a large cabin, the rear deck can be enclosed in canvas, or screens. Many of the 24's & 25's have Bow Thrusters installed. It makes it esier to handle in tight spots. Trim tabs are another option for when you have a group (on that couch), and need to keep the boat balanced.
For the cruisers among you, this boat will fill the needs for a short time cruise.
DIRECT LINK
Sorry, but I hate talking about something I can't see easily!
Joe. :teeth :thup
Seaway 25 Coastal Cruiser
Here is our cabin model, also known as a pocket cruiser, for cruising the waters of Maine to the coast of Florida, and the west coast. Anywhere there is water between the Atlantic and the Pacific, you can enjoy this boat. She is a shallow draft, dry, easy ride. With her Stove, Refrigerator, Sink, Shower, and head, she has all the amenities of home. She will sleep three adults, or 2 adults and 2 small children. There is plenty of space for mates to cruise along and be comfortable. The Table will drop down to make a couch. There is a walk around on the outside of the cabin, and a SS steel bow rail that encompasses the entire perimeter.
The stove is 1 burner butane with the option of having a 2 burner(1 electric and 1 butane). There are outlets for your coffee maker, so you can sit back and enjoy the morning sun or the sunset at the end of an enjoyable day of cruising. You can also add a microwave, keeping your life simple and enjoying the day.
The boat is all composite fiberglass. The only wood used in our boats is for the trim. This boat has an 80 gal. fuel tank, 37 gal. fresh water, and 45 gal holding tank. Both of the front windshields open to let the wind flow through the boat when you are enjoying the inside or are taking a cruise.
The boat weighs 5800 lbs with motor and fuel. It is trailerable with a beam of 8 ft. 6 ins., and 24 ft. long. It is called a 25, as it has a swim platform on the rear with a motor, and a pulpit in the front.
The motor that is recommened is a 100 or a 150 HP. This boat has a draft of 14", and with the spray rails, there is no water coming over the sides.
You can have whatever hull color you would like. We offer all the colors of the AWLGRIP color chart. The deck, house, and inside are always white.
There are several options available. Although it has a large cabin, the rear deck can be enclosed in canvas, or screens. Many of the 24's & 25's have Bow Thrusters installed. It makes it esier to handle in tight spots. Trim tabs are another option for when you have a group (on that couch), and need to keep the boat balanced.
For the cruisers among you, this boat will fill the needs for a short time cruise.
DIRECT LINK
Sorry, but I hate talking about something I can't see easily!
Joe. :teeth :thup
mailbox101
New member
Mine has twin Honda 90's and the top speed is 39 mph@6k rpm, per gps. Comparing that to P McCs' posting above, it seems that the extra 20 hp gets you around 3 mph extra.
The 2x90's give it ample power, however, they are not pushing the envelope for the boat, if speed is what you're after.
I've been told that one of these was rigged with a 250 hp, and that it proved too much power so it was re-rigged with a smaller engine.
I expect that 175hp would be adequate, and give you a top speed in the mid to high 30s.
David B
The 2x90's give it ample power, however, they are not pushing the envelope for the boat, if speed is what you're after.
I've been told that one of these was rigged with a 250 hp, and that it proved too much power so it was re-rigged with a smaller engine.
I expect that 175hp would be adequate, and give you a top speed in the mid to high 30s.
David B
Pat Anderson
New member
Joe, thanks for posting all those pix of the Seaway Coastal Cruiser 25. Wow! I like the interior better than the CD25! The open access to the vee-berth and the step down into it are Ranger 25 Tug-like, which was one of the features of the Ranger that we really liked. Even if we cut out the forward bulkhead the way Ron did on Meander, and we will, it still won't have the headroom that lets you use it as another part of the cabin.
Joe, thanks so much for posting the pictures and information, I tried the link and didn't get far.
Compromises, compromises. The interior is nice, albeit a little strange with that forward passenger seat -- what is he/she going to look at, the junk up in the v-berth while cruising? Maybe it's for when you're sitting in the cabin enjoying company, but still odd.
Looks like a nice package, light with economy in mind as well. But a fundamental problem is the visibility of the outside world for the passengers while cruising, except the helm station -- or maybe someone seated outside in the small cockpit.
No, I'll pass, still love mine better than any other boat in the world -- for my tastes that is!
Compromises, compromises. The interior is nice, albeit a little strange with that forward passenger seat -- what is he/she going to look at, the junk up in the v-berth while cruising? Maybe it's for when you're sitting in the cabin enjoying company, but still odd.
Looks like a nice package, light with economy in mind as well. But a fundamental problem is the visibility of the outside world for the passengers while cruising, except the helm station -- or maybe someone seated outside in the small cockpit.
No, I'll pass, still love mine better than any other boat in the world -- for my tastes that is!
Steve, good call on the visability from the forward seat. It would be easy to raise the entire dinette up as the C Dory line has done. I am surprised that they don't do that.
Mark, Thanks--I suspect that you have posted those photos before. Interesting boat--but upkeep is there! Better to have a C Dory!
Mark, Thanks--I suspect that you have posted those photos before. Interesting boat--but upkeep is there! Better to have a C Dory!