My friend is considering buying a 1972 Ventura 21 as a first boat. Any opinions and advice will be greatfully received!
Ventura 21
- Thread starter Tim Cook
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Never a straight answer 
Any boat MIGHT be the right boat for a particular individual. Thousands of people have done very well with a Venture. Having said that, Ventures are not exactly the gold standard of construction or design, of course. But, if your friend likes the boat, and doesn't want to pay to have such a small craft surveyed, at least get and read Don Casey's "Inspecting the Aging Sailboat." See link below. For $15 bucks, he might well save thousands. (Note: If he is being given the boat, get this book anyhow...free today doesn't mean it won't drain his wallet in the next few months.) Eric
Any boat MIGHT be the right boat for a particular individual. Thousands of people have done very well with a Venture. Having said that, Ventures are not exactly the gold standard of construction or design, of course. But, if your friend likes the boat, and doesn't want to pay to have such a small craft surveyed, at least get and read Don Casey's "Inspecting the Aging Sailboat." See link below. For $15 bucks, he might well save thousands. (Note: If he is being given the boat, get this book anyhow...free today doesn't mean it won't drain his wallet in the next few months.) Eric
Ven 21
For a boat of this size I think from all my reading it would be the best first boat! Provided the sails are in nice shape. They are new apprx. Main $750, Jib $350. This is suppose to be the easiest trailer boat in its size if this is of importance. The boat only weighs 1150 lbs. and floats in 12" of water at landing, may be pulled with smaller car. One other big issue is the swing keel. Make sure it is in good shape, keel itself or you will have to drop the 400 lb baby with floor jack probally. Also the keel pivot bolt cable and winch need to be checked. Other than that Happy Sailing, hope this helps!! Regards, Brian
For a boat of this size I think from all my reading it would be the best first boat! Provided the sails are in nice shape. They are new apprx. Main $750, Jib $350. This is suppose to be the easiest trailer boat in its size if this is of importance. The boat only weighs 1150 lbs. and floats in 12" of water at landing, may be pulled with smaller car. One other big issue is the swing keel. Make sure it is in good shape, keel itself or you will have to drop the 400 lb baby with floor jack probally. Also the keel pivot bolt cable and winch need to be checked. Other than that Happy Sailing, hope this helps!! Regards, Brian
Ventures (in general)
I've got an old Venture17 (mono hull), a buddy has a V21 that we both honed our sailing skills on, and another buddy has a V222. Ventures ARE lightly built, but they are adequate. We've all made modifications*, and upgrades** to our boats, and regularly sail off shore near Port San Luis, California. We're north of Point Conception where conditions are not at all what most folks associate with California; 58F water temps, 20+ knots most mornings (pushing 25-30 by afternoon), 8-10 foot swells (common, greater in the winter), and heftly wind waves. If we didn't go out when a red pennant is flying ... we wouldn't be going out very often. Ventures are great little boats to work on. They're easy to understand, and they're easy to get into to work on. Best of all, they respond well to modifications. * added stainless backing plates behind all deck hardware; added traveler; added vang; added CDI roller furler; added jiffy-reef capability; added turning blocks to run all lines and sheets aft to cockpit. ** replaced standing rig; replaced keel lifting cable; added full-batten main; added nav lights. One could argue that with all the mods and upgrades, it might have been cheaper to just buy a more expensive boat to begin with. I would counter that with, "I wouldn't have learned why I needed these things if I hadn't 'realized' the need for myself. These changes weren't made all at once, but over a period of a year or two. Besides, you would be hard pressed to fully rigged, 21 foot sloop, on a trailer, for $3,500.
I've got an old Venture17 (mono hull), a buddy has a V21 that we both honed our sailing skills on, and another buddy has a V222. Ventures ARE lightly built, but they are adequate. We've all made modifications*, and upgrades** to our boats, and regularly sail off shore near Port San Luis, California. We're north of Point Conception where conditions are not at all what most folks associate with California; 58F water temps, 20+ knots most mornings (pushing 25-30 by afternoon), 8-10 foot swells (common, greater in the winter), and heftly wind waves. If we didn't go out when a red pennant is flying ... we wouldn't be going out very often. Ventures are great little boats to work on. They're easy to understand, and they're easy to get into to work on. Best of all, they respond well to modifications. * added stainless backing plates behind all deck hardware; added traveler; added vang; added CDI roller furler; added jiffy-reef capability; added turning blocks to run all lines and sheets aft to cockpit. ** replaced standing rig; replaced keel lifting cable; added full-batten main; added nav lights. One could argue that with all the mods and upgrades, it might have been cheaper to just buy a more expensive boat to begin with. I would counter that with, "I wouldn't have learned why I needed these things if I hadn't 'realized' the need for myself. These changes weren't made all at once, but over a period of a year or two. Besides, you would be hard pressed to fully rigged, 21 foot sloop, on a trailer, for $3,500.
p.s.
There is one helluva support group; see the MacGregor/Venture Forum at: www.trailersailor.com If I recall correctly, I believe there is even a Venture "Yacht Club" in SD.
There is one helluva support group; see the MacGregor/Venture Forum at: www.trailersailor.com If I recall correctly, I believe there is even a Venture "Yacht Club" in SD.
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