MacGregor Venture 22

[ForeverDes]

Thanks for all the replies folks! I took an opportunity to go boat window shopping this weekend, and it looks like a 22' boat will do what I need it to just fine. The Venture 22 sure seems to have less space than say Cat 22's or Precision.

[Celestialsailor]

The Catalina 22 is a great little boat. I'd lean that way myself.

[Jim Cate]

Way back when the Cat 22 was first sold I was in the market for a trailersailor of that approximate size. Looked at all that were on the market around SF Bay, including the Ventures. I was pretty new at the time, but the Ventures all were pretty flimsy compared to the Catalina. So, I bought hull # 61 and sailed the hell out of her for 7 years. Lots of racing on the Bay and coastal cruising, several trips from Santa Barbara to the Channel islands and one from Port Angeles to Vancouver and back. Had a lot of fun with her, and when racing SYRA we seemed to always be passing the Venture 22's.

I guess my advice would be pretty obvious!

Cheers,

Jim

[Miles Palmer]

After owning a DS16 the 1974 Venture 22 I purchased in June is a like a floating palace! she handles 20kn wind and 6ft waves very well, despite derogatory comments in this forum.

[Bestathook]

This sounds like a discussion of my trusty, old Buccaneer 24. Those that have them like them, and those haven't sailed one pan them.

There are lots of Ventures for sale in Florida, and on any Craig's list. They are a good, cheap, light boat. The pop tops give good space in a small boat.

A friend went through a hurricane at sea in a Venture 22 Newport. He broke a few ribs, but survived the blow, at least 'til the Coasties came to help after the storm, rammed him, and destroyed his Venture.

But the Catalina 22 is a more serious sailer. A fleet of them cross the Gulf stream into the Bahamas, if I recall correctly. I'm not sure I would try that on a Venture 22.

[Sam Plan B]

I bought a Venture Newport in 1975 and visited the factory in Costa Mesa Ca to pick it up. I was surprised at how thin the lamination was. The lay up was resin starved where it turned a corner leaving the gell coat un supported. Corners were egg shell thin and easily damaged by a simple bump. The lee shrouds would be very slack when the boat heeled because the hull had a lot of flex. The boat came with a "pop top" that was mostly just for show. In short, the boat was okay as a starter boat / day sailor in protected waters but had little resale value.