New to the group and interested in purchasing a venture 26. My local dealership has a 23 that I can sea trial. How would the ride of the 23 compare to the 26. If I like the 23 how much better of a ride would the 26 be? I'm trying to get a baseline before I order a 26 Thanks in advance
26 Venture
- Thread starter Z50
- Start date
In my opinion the 26 will have a considerably better ride than the 23. As the 25 is its better than the 22. But all of the C Dory line, benefit from both Trim Tabs and outboard foils (Permatrim is the preferred brand). These will push the bow down when needed going into chop. Remember that all of the C Dorys are semi Dorys--with very low dead rise. They will not ride like a deep V....except the Tom Cat-255 which will ride very well in chop up to about 2 to perhaps 3'--depending on the Period. I have run the Tom Cat along side a Regulator 26 and in 2.5' chop and the rides seemed. comparable. With the monohulls you will slow down. However the boats plane at far lower speeds than deeper V's.
We find that any of the C Dory work well in FL--in giving sun protection. But air conditioning is a necessity for overnight use, especially in S. Florida--and the entire state during the summers. With windows open, there is plenty of air flow when running.
We find that any of the C Dory work well in FL--in giving sun protection. But air conditioning is a necessity for overnight use, especially in S. Florida--and the entire state during the summers. With windows open, there is plenty of air flow when running.
South of Heaven
New member
Z50: If you're buying new and your budget can allow it then buy the 26!
We have the cc23 venture with a 115 ct merc With the trim tabs down and engine tucked in we keep up with our boat club in 2-3 ft out in the gulf of Mexico . doing about 19-21 mph With that said its ok but it likes smoother water . I looked at a venture 26 and drove it .It weighs about 1000 lb more then the cd23 venture so it will drive better in bigger seas .The 26 was not as agile as the 23 .We do tubing with our Grandkids and the 23 works more like a runabout . These boats are not meant to do 30-40 mph in 4 ft seas they are semi dory hulls that like slower speeds . What I enjoy about these boats is I can go in 1-2 ft. of water and not run aground .Planes off at 10-12 mph and gets 0ver 4mpg .Also I don't have to see my Dermatologist as often with a hardtop .Jim
So, now I'm here I'll spend a minute on deep "V"s since mentioned above.
If you want to go "fast" in seas over 3' or so, you're going to appreciate a
deep V hull.
I had a 28' Saber Offshore deep V. It was powerful: twin 415HP V8s
lettering her rip 80mph or so in appropriate conditions. The best was
going 45 - 55 mph in 3+ footers "on top" (of the waves) while watching
others slog through it with bow spray bouncing along getting sea sick.
Speed changes you. But it's not for everyone. And this boat drew a
different following then CBrats.
Bottom line is if you want speed stay away from semi-displacement,
partial V'd with flat aft hulls, go for full deep V'd hull with lots of muscle
and forget about mpg.
Aye.
Grandpa used to say, "You gotta get your hair blown back a few times
to know you're alive."
Back to the sundowners...
If you want to go "fast" in seas over 3' or so, you're going to appreciate a
deep V hull.
I had a 28' Saber Offshore deep V. It was powerful: twin 415HP V8s
lettering her rip 80mph or so in appropriate conditions. The best was
going 45 - 55 mph in 3+ footers "on top" (of the waves) while watching
others slog through it with bow spray bouncing along getting sea sick.
Speed changes you. But it's not for everyone. And this boat drew a
different following then CBrats.
Bottom line is if you want speed stay away from semi-displacement,
partial V'd with flat aft hulls, go for full deep V'd hull with lots of muscle
and forget about mpg.
Aye.
Grandpa used to say, "You gotta get your hair blown back a few times
to know you're alive."
Back to the sundowners...
Although I agree with almost all of what Foggy says here, I would not call a C Dory a "semi Displacement" boat. The C Dory has very low dead rise, and reverse chines to give even more lift--and is definitely a planing boat designed for low speed planing, but also runs well up to the 30 knot speed. Some of the fastest early boats are almost fully flat bottom. For example the early hydroplanes. I also used to drive a flat bottom 18' mahogany runabout powered with a Paxton supercharged Ford 312 engine in 1957 which would easily reach 75 mph. (I was told that the hull was designed by Jack Davidson of Sanger fame.) However these boats required smooth water.
san juanderer
New member
All boats have compromising qualities. Depending on what your use is, and the local waters you travel, choices are made by individuals with there "own" priority of important factors. Everyone makes there own choice.
san juanderer":1sxb6zaj said:
No disrespect intended here.
You must have traveled, changed use and priorities and compromised a fair
amount to have made the choices for the lineage of boats you include in your
post. And I understand. Tastes, priorities, usage change.
My therapist has mentioned the same to me about relationships...
Aye.
Grandpa used to say, "If you can, try'em before you buy'em."
san juanderer
New member
You are exactly correct;
For many years I fished several days a week out of the Edmonds Marina private garages above the live bait shop. Those facilities have been long gone. Boat had to fit into the garage and pulled by hand to the private sling launcher.
For many years I kept a boat out near Neah Bay on the NW tip of the WA coast. Traveled every other weekend to fish out in the ocean. Different boat for big waters, and to fit into someone's pole building.
For many years I did the yacht thing, two full bedrooms and two full bathrooms. Traveled with all the comforts of the home, 20 gph fuel burn when fuel costs were $ 1.00 per gallon of diesel. Hard to fish.
Sold my home, moved to the area of the best cruising and boating on the US west coast. Sitting here in my living room, I see 5 of the San Juan Islands. Sold the large yacht, bought a smaller fishing kind of boat. Then added a wife. Boat situation changed. Had to have a " real " head ! And on and on.
Lives change, times change. I have truely enjoyed all the different rides (boats). The DW thinks I love boats more than her. No more to say.
For many years I fished several days a week out of the Edmonds Marina private garages above the live bait shop. Those facilities have been long gone. Boat had to fit into the garage and pulled by hand to the private sling launcher.
For many years I kept a boat out near Neah Bay on the NW tip of the WA coast. Traveled every other weekend to fish out in the ocean. Different boat for big waters, and to fit into someone's pole building.
For many years I did the yacht thing, two full bedrooms and two full bathrooms. Traveled with all the comforts of the home, 20 gph fuel burn when fuel costs were $ 1.00 per gallon of diesel. Hard to fish.
Sold my home, moved to the area of the best cruising and boating on the US west coast. Sitting here in my living room, I see 5 of the San Juan Islands. Sold the large yacht, bought a smaller fishing kind of boat. Then added a wife. Boat situation changed. Had to have a " real " head ! And on and on.
Lives change, times change. I have truely enjoyed all the different rides (boats). The DW thinks I love boats more than her. No more to say.
just got back from sea trial on the 23. I really liked it. Very different coming from a cc bay boat. Not concerned about speed really. 30 is plenty fast. my only real concern would be the Florida heat in mid summer. Maybe a few fans and AC down the road. Think I will pull the trigger on the 26. Need storage ideas or shelves in the v berth.
South of Heaven
New member
Z50":22npwp7e said:
Nice!
Molly Brown
Member
Truth be told, on those really hot Florida summer days (93 air temp, 90 water temp), we are cooler in the cabin than out in the cockpit under the bimini. That all changes once the sun goes down. For many of our early years the nights were tough with all that humidity but we managed with fans and screens over every opening, though some bugs always managed to get in. Eventually we used a hatch air conditioner but after a number of years set up and taking it down, not to mention storing it somewhere during the day, we now have a rooftop unit. Living a life of luxury now 
Z50":r4u0b3ao said:
Methinks you're gonna want a bigger boat before you even know it*; being
concerned with your mentionables of ambient temperature, storage space
and not riding one larger than what the dealer had on hand. Happy with
30 now? Wait till a thunderstorm is on your tail or you're running late for
dinner...
Aye.
* You won't be the first this has ever happened to.
Good luck if buying new get the 26 sport it deletes the vinyl ceiling in Florida the vinyl is not a good idea ..You might want to have a AirHead composting toilet . For resale I would look at a200 Yamaha . Also buy an Aluminum trailer with disc brakes and torsion suspension Have fun with all the decisions . Lots of good cruising here in Florida. Maybe see you at Hontoon gathering Jim
srbaum
Member
Jim is spot on regarding a vinyl interior. I have had numerous boats with it and all it does is hold water and mold until it finally is removed or falls off.
I was very fortunate with my new (to me) 26, as the 1st owner did a super job of installing a functional insulated overhead, that looks great and has no annoying vinyl.
Photos of the overhead are posted in OSPREY photo album.
I was very fortunate with my new (to me) 26, as the 1st owner did a super job of installing a functional insulated overhead, that looks great and has no annoying vinyl.
Photos of the overhead are posted in OSPREY photo album.