22 Cruiser of 23 Venture

B

BuckMontana

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Joined
Jul 6, 2025
Messages
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Location
Bainbridge Island
C Dory Year
2021
C Dory Model
23 Venture
Vessel Name
Sea Raven
Looking for advice and opinion for the purchase of my first C-Dory. I'm a transplant to PNW with river sled experience in Idaho and BC. I'm retired and looking forward to "living the dream" - fishing and cruising the PNW, and maybe beyond. I'm 5 minutes away from a boat launch into the Puget Sound. I've narrowed it down to the two models: 22 Cruiser and 23 Venture, including the Sport. They appear big enough for friends and family and small (ilght) enough that I can trailer them with my F150 (8000bs tow capacity). My request of you sage and experienced C Dory sailers is which one would you prefer? And why? Assume both boats are similar age, equipment, and condition.
Thanks!
 
Good question. PM sent.
 
I would suggest looking at and tryng to get a ride in both the 22 and 23, there are some differences in layout, and slight differences in the "ride", especially if there is a little chop.
 
The Venture 23 would be my choice. I've owned 3 22 Cruisers, one was an '85 with ironing board flat bottom, not good. Right now there is a really nice used one in Mount Vernon at Master Marine. Sure seems loaded and beats the brand new price. Good luck!
 
As a rank newbie, my opinion may not count for much. For me, I let the market determine which boat was "better." What I mean is that I was actively looking for either one, and would have been pleased with either one, and ended up with a Cape Cruiser due to timing/dollars/condition/location and a very cool/trustworthy seller.

(Now that I have a Cape Cruiser 23, I can see the myriad benefit of this model over any other model :wink )
 
BuckMontana":20ytypw7 said:
Thanks guys. Great info. I’m going with the 23 Venture (Sport)
Click to expand...

When our boat was built, the Venture Sport models were made with balsa and the Venture was made with high density foam. This year in speaking with Michael Millison (VP of Operations) from the factory, they will be switching to high density foam in all new C-Dory boats including the Cruiser series. The reasoning was that the cost to purchase balsa is equal to that of high density foam. Not sure if this matters for you if you are considering the purchase of a new boat. Folks considering a new boat build may want to check with the factory to confirm if the change has been made.
 
The factory might be better served by ensuring that all the penetrations into the core are properly done.
 
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