I am looking to buy either a Venture 21 or San Juan 21 and would welcome any comparisons that you can give. Seaworthiness, handling, trailing and launching. I'll be mainly trailer-sailing. I live on Frenchman Bay across from Bar Harbor, Maine and want to be able to sail around Mt. Desert Island and to some the nearby islands here. I've owned at West Wight Potter 15 and a Catalina 22 and for my last boat I want something in between. Any advice is welcomed. Thanks, Gene
Macgregor 21 vs. San Juan 21
- Thread starter Gene Sampson
- Start date
- Status
My 2 cents...
I can't compare the two boats but will share some info on the Venture 21 as I currently own one. Background: This is my 3rd season sailing her and it's my first sailboat, however, I have sailed on 26, 27 and 30' boats as well. Stats: Overall I like the boat. She is easily launched and recovered. My wife and I could do either in 35 minutes. You will need a 2nd person to raise mast or have a mast raising system (which I don't have). She trailers' very well. Don't know it's even there. I pull with a Dodge Ram/318 engine. I sail on inland lake (large finger lake, i.e. 38 miles long. Best winds are up to 10 knots. Over that it's still ok but must reef. 20 knots was my max and I'm out of there... back on land with a beer in hand. She has a low freeboard but unless waves are really big, it shouldn't be a problem. I've sailed in 4 ft close waves. The only thing I don't like is the stock main sheet rig. A real traveler would be a major plus. This boat has given us nothing but pleasure and we personally like it a lot. I would buy it again. Hope this helps. If you have any specific questions, let me know. Good luck. Bob
I can't compare the two boats but will share some info on the Venture 21 as I currently own one. Background: This is my 3rd season sailing her and it's my first sailboat, however, I have sailed on 26, 27 and 30' boats as well. Stats: Overall I like the boat. She is easily launched and recovered. My wife and I could do either in 35 minutes. You will need a 2nd person to raise mast or have a mast raising system (which I don't have). She trailers' very well. Don't know it's even there. I pull with a Dodge Ram/318 engine. I sail on inland lake (large finger lake, i.e. 38 miles long. Best winds are up to 10 knots. Over that it's still ok but must reef. 20 knots was my max and I'm out of there... back on land with a beer in hand. She has a low freeboard but unless waves are really big, it shouldn't be a problem. I've sailed in 4 ft close waves. The only thing I don't like is the stock main sheet rig. A real traveler would be a major plus. This boat has given us nothing but pleasure and we personally like it a lot. I would buy it again. Hope this helps. If you have any specific questions, let me know. Good luck. Bob
SJ 21 opinion
I used to own a Sj 21 they are lovely boats easy to set up and trailer as well very fast moving boat. As for the comforts inside,........there is no comfort, you will have to crawl over the keel trunk which is a pain . As for setting up the boat I could do it my self. I have never sailed a mac but I seriously thinking of getting one At the moment we have a San Juan 26 a great boat but a tank to move around so I'm looking into a more trailerable. Menno.
I used to own a Sj 21 they are lovely boats easy to set up and trailer as well very fast moving boat. As for the comforts inside,........there is no comfort, you will have to crawl over the keel trunk which is a pain . As for setting up the boat I could do it my self. I have never sailed a mac but I seriously thinking of getting one At the moment we have a San Juan 26 a great boat but a tank to move around so I'm looking into a more trailerable. Menno.
- Status