26 ft Venture

Mike,

There are 8 people on this site registered as having a 26 Venture (10 if you count two who list a 26 Venture with a date of manufacture that is way before the model existed). Of these, only a few owners are active on the site. The Venture series is a relatively recent addition to the C-Dory line so they are much less common than the 25' Cruisers and far less common than the 22' Cruisers (the most popular boat of the bunch). To my knowledge the 26' Ventures do not have fish boxes built in but it would be possible to have one of the lazzarettes set up as a fish box (I did that on my previous 22).

It's definitely a boat that two people could live in/cruise on and it would work for weekenders for a family of 3-4. Where are you from? What kinds of fishing do you want to do? How many on the boat? In brief, what are your primary and secondary uses for a boat? Do you currently own a boat and if so, what type? etc. etc. The answers to these questions will help the group help you.

Just an FYI - the Venture series is the slightly more upscale version of the std. C-Dory. They have a little more V in the hull and are much more nicely appointed inside. They also cost more. If the primary use is fishing and you don't wish to pay extra for the nicer interior, the 25 Cruiser might be a better option. If the primary concern is aesthetics and a somewhat better ride in chop, the 26 Venture is probably the better option. If you want to get around quickly, the Tomcat might be a better choice. It all depends on what your needs/wants are and what are the relative priorities for those.
 
Mike,

Our 2008 26 Venture does have built-in fish boxes--one on each side of the cockpit--that also serve as steps for entering the boat. The boat is great for my wife and me for coastal cruising. I fish from it regularly and it works well for me. The cockpit is large. I would highly recommend the boat. I believe it to be very sea worthy (another 26 Venture out of the San Francisco area has transited the west coast from the bay area to the Channel Islands and back). Good luck on your purchase.
 
OK....let me fill in the blanks. We run primarily out of Eureka and Fort Bragg in Northern California. I had a 26 ft Striper until last month when it burned. We don't know what caused it but sure have a suspicion.

The Striper was very good fishing (rock fish/halibut/TUNA) boat but lacked a cabin for passengers for those long rides in the cool weather. In replacing the Striper, we initially were leaning towards the Tomcat based on our fishing buddy (Reef Madness) having one and it seemed to be a great boat. Then we found a nice Venture and it looked like it might fill the bill....but I noticed that there was no mention of fish boxes in the specifications/literature.

I really appreciate the quick posts......since we will be buying within the next week or two. Fishing is our main focus but would also like to have the ability to do weekends.

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I stand corrected on the fish boxes. I'd recommend trying to get a ride in a 26. It will handle quite a bit differently than a Striper and you will likely need to go more slowly into the swells/chop on your way to the fishing grounds. I'm sure it will handle the same sea states that your Striper did but the ride into the waves won't be as good and you'll go a bit more slowly. However, the other benefits of a warm and cozy cabin and better fuel economy may be the right trade-off for you.
 
I have the Cape Cruiser version which has no built in fish box. That is the only drawback of the boat. I use the lazzarette as a live well for anchovies. I also use it for seabass and lings when bottom fishing. I use a fish bag similar to this one http://www.chinookoutdoorgear.com/products/GlacierBag.php in the motor well for salmon and halibut (I have had two 50 pound halies at one time or ten salmon including 2 twenty pound kings in it at one time). If you go to my photo album and look at the first picture, you will see the gray fish bag right behind the three poles in the motor well. You will also see the 26 with a rear helm if your interested in a rear helm.
 
Roger is correct in the difference in handling from the Striper to the C-Dory. I moved from an 1851 Striper to my current 22 cruiser, yes you must slow down, but I love the comfort and no getting wet in the C-Dory. In fact if you look at my album you will see last years Striper get together at Brannan state park with my 22 surrounded by Stripers.

Now the venture line are heavier than the C-Dory due to insulation and it has a sharper hull angle. Somewhere is the adventure last year of the 26 going from the bay area to S. Cal. and taking some serious weather.
 
FYI the early Cape Cruisers had no fish boxes and some the newer C Dory venture 26s [Reynolds] built ones had the "step boxes" .Some were not cut out, they were just steps . They arent big enough for my kind of fishing anyways ,more for dock lines and such . Maybe downrigger weights and lead . Not sure if Triton is building the steps in or not .
Marc
 
I would like to thank everybody for their input. Since we have caught over 20 albacore and some of our runs have been over 60 miles off shore, it seems a Tomcat would be the right boat.

Excellent board for sharing and learning. Thanks again.

Mike
 
I am new to the Brat site but have been a boating nut for years. Currently restricted to inland (midwest) rivers and lakes. We have been lusting for the Ranger R-27 as our upgrade but the 26' Venture is looking better and better. Anyone know where I can get more info and interior shots???
 
The C-dory site provides the basic info, but I would love to see a virtual tour or, best of all worlds, the boat itself. I work for an airline so visiting distant boat shows is doable. No boat show schedule that I could find. There is much to research. Single vs twin, fuel economy, trailer requirements etc... I have requested a dealer contact so we will see how it goes. I think the discovery process is half the fun!
 
davewilke1":21kh6kbq said:
The C-dory site provides the basic info, but I would love to see a virtual tour or, best of all worlds, the boat itself. I work for an airline so visiting distant boat shows is doable. No boat show schedule that I could find. There is much to research. Single vs twin, fuel economy, trailer requirements etc... I have requested a dealer contact so we will see how it goes. I think the discovery process is half the fun!
Click to expand...

The Seattle Boat show is slated for January 27 thru the 7th of Feb.
we traditionaly have a boatless C-Brat gathering on the first weekend here in the Seattle area. in years past the Factory was located just out side of seattle and they would hold a open house and dinner for us. now the factory is way to far away to do this but we still have a great time meeting up with old friends and making new ones.
I will be posting the announcement for the gathering soon. we are talking to the motel and making plans as we speak.
 
Dave,

The Gulf Coast gathering is scheduled for October 21-23 in Apalachicola, FL. I plan to be there. If you can make the gathering, you can check out several C-Dory models including our 26 Venture. Marc Grove, of Wefing's Marine in Apalachicola, a C-Dory dealer, is sponsoring the gathering. Marc is very knowledgable about the C-Dory line (and Ranger Tugs). There will likely be Ranger Tugs there as well. Enjoy the hunt!
 
We have the cape cruiser /venture 23 .It is a very similar boat in looks and back cockpit is very similar .except for the 3 ft of head room (toilet)and extra cabinets the beam is 8 1/2 vs.8ft for venture 23 . I love the 23 it rides nice .
check out c-dory .com
For the $$ I would look at a 255 tomcat I would look at charlie's boat in VA it definatly would be worth a look . might be less money then a venture 26 and would ride better in any seas and a bigger bed in front . I have seen his boat if my wife was more into cruising for more then a few days I would buy it .
 
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