Venture 29 Questions....
- Thread starter deak
- Start date
Matt Gurnsey
New member
I've always liked the 29. While there were some things that could be improved, overall the concept was a good one.
I don't see the issue with the head. I sat in the companion seat and didn't find it to be an issue. It's a compromise, but overall it makes the boat feel bigger, and give better visability aft from the helm.
I think they were trying to build a customer base something like what Ranger Tug now enjoys. Similar finish inside, economical to cruise. And many C-Brats move up to Rangers, so the plusher interior was probably the right call for the size and style of boat.
I don't see the issue with the head. I sat in the companion seat and didn't find it to be an issue. It's a compromise, but overall it makes the boat feel bigger, and give better visability aft from the helm.
I think they were trying to build a customer base something like what Ranger Tug now enjoys. Similar finish inside, economical to cruise. And many C-Brats move up to Rangers, so the plusher interior was probably the right call for the size and style of boat.
Ranger Tugs has provided something along with a plush interior for customers to move up to: customer service. They return phone calls and e-mails. They listen to their customers to continue to refine and add to the line.
Take a look at a Ranger 29 in comparison to the Venture 29, and you'll see an island bed (a real plus compared to a v-berth) and more amenities, not just the same only bigger.
I think the reason more than a few C-Dory owners have moved to the Ranger is as much for the customer service as the diesel and more finished interior. Personally, I like my outboard, and the CD-25 suits us. If I were looking for a bigger boat, it would be to get a layout that would better suit us for extended time aboard.
Though mostly unproven, I think the boat would be a good buy for someone who wants what that particular boat offers.
As I stated before, I don't think the 29 was a bad boat. It was bad timing and a vast departure. It answered the question no one asked. AND, there wasn't customer service at the time to back it up. The C-Dory line really is unique (I know I'm preaching to the choir here) - the various factory owners since we've owned our boat pissed away good customer relations, in effect providing more of a market for Ranger. No consideration was given to customer input. They seemed to be at odds with their dealers. I have had no contact with the current owners, but I still see the "I can't get phone calls or e-mails returned" posts here. You'd think they'd learn from the past. Had the factory (at the time) provided decent customer support, they likely could have sold a bunch of 29s. They may have been able to hang on, maybe even flourish... just like Ranger Tugs.
C-Dorys are fine boats. Not fancy or frilly. They do what you ask of them. Stout and seaworthy. We all seem to make changes and mods to best suit our own needs. If the factory (past and present) wanted to improve the line and give folks a reason to "move up," all they'd have to do is look here to see what we do to make our boats even better. The difference between the 22 and the 25 isn't just a bigger boat - there are appreciably more amenities in that extra length and beam. The 29 seemed to me to be just bigger than the 25, with an inboard diesel. The bow thruster would be a very welcome addition with the turning limitations of a shaft and prop vs an outboard.
Whew... sorry; I didn't mean for that to become a rant.
Back to the topic at hand: the Venture 29 isn't my cup of tea, but I have little doubt that it would be as good as the rest of the C-Dory line, just a different approach. To paraphrase an old movie line: it coulda been a contender.
Best wishes,
Jim B.
Take a look at a Ranger 29 in comparison to the Venture 29, and you'll see an island bed (a real plus compared to a v-berth) and more amenities, not just the same only bigger.
I think the reason more than a few C-Dory owners have moved to the Ranger is as much for the customer service as the diesel and more finished interior. Personally, I like my outboard, and the CD-25 suits us. If I were looking for a bigger boat, it would be to get a layout that would better suit us for extended time aboard.
Though mostly unproven, I think the boat would be a good buy for someone who wants what that particular boat offers.
As I stated before, I don't think the 29 was a bad boat. It was bad timing and a vast departure. It answered the question no one asked. AND, there wasn't customer service at the time to back it up. The C-Dory line really is unique (I know I'm preaching to the choir here) - the various factory owners since we've owned our boat pissed away good customer relations, in effect providing more of a market for Ranger. No consideration was given to customer input. They seemed to be at odds with their dealers. I have had no contact with the current owners, but I still see the "I can't get phone calls or e-mails returned" posts here. You'd think they'd learn from the past. Had the factory (at the time) provided decent customer support, they likely could have sold a bunch of 29s. They may have been able to hang on, maybe even flourish... just like Ranger Tugs.
C-Dorys are fine boats. Not fancy or frilly. They do what you ask of them. Stout and seaworthy. We all seem to make changes and mods to best suit our own needs. If the factory (past and present) wanted to improve the line and give folks a reason to "move up," all they'd have to do is look here to see what we do to make our boats even better. The difference between the 22 and the 25 isn't just a bigger boat - there are appreciably more amenities in that extra length and beam. The 29 seemed to me to be just bigger than the 25, with an inboard diesel. The bow thruster would be a very welcome addition with the turning limitations of a shaft and prop vs an outboard.
Whew... sorry; I didn't mean for that to become a rant.
Back to the topic at hand: the Venture 29 isn't my cup of tea, but I have little doubt that it would be as good as the rest of the C-Dory line, just a different approach. To paraphrase an old movie line: it coulda been a contender.Best wishes,
Jim B.
Frequently I drive past Mastermarine in Mt. Vernon (Wa.) and look over to see the 29' C-Dory sitting there awaiting a purchaser. Last week as we drove past it, I said to Carol, "someday someone is going to prove us wrong and purchase that vessel and get a really good deal since the price has most likely decreased considerably". She said, "why don't you buy it and I said, I'm happy with our 22'".
Personally, it didn't intrigue me when I first saw it several years ago during the Bellingham C-Brat Gathering, when it was fresh off the production line.
Personally, it didn't intrigue me when I first saw it several years ago during the Bellingham C-Brat Gathering, when it was fresh off the production line.
Pat Anderson
New member
Here is the problem with the Venture 29 - it is nobody's boat, which is why the Master Marine 29 has not sold.
It is not a C-Dory owner's move up boat, the way 16 owners might move up to a 22 or 25, since it has none of the virtues of CD22s, CD25s, Venture 23s or Venture 26s. None. We all know what those virtues are, at least we should.
But it equally does not compare well with other non-C-Dory 29 foot boats. It is pretty much devoid of any real cruising amenities that other 29s offer. Jim pointed those out pretty well. Maybe it could be a charter fishing boat or something, I don't know, but it just seems to lack a focused target buyer.
So there it sits.
It was in fact the product of the same lame-brain thinking that decided the way to sell C-Dorys was to cheapen down the construction, line them up along side I-5 in Fife and try to sell them like Bayliners.
It is not a C-Dory owner's move up boat, the way 16 owners might move up to a 22 or 25, since it has none of the virtues of CD22s, CD25s, Venture 23s or Venture 26s. None. We all know what those virtues are, at least we should.
But it equally does not compare well with other non-C-Dory 29 foot boats. It is pretty much devoid of any real cruising amenities that other 29s offer. Jim pointed those out pretty well. Maybe it could be a charter fishing boat or something, I don't know, but it just seems to lack a focused target buyer.
So there it sits.
It was in fact the product of the same lame-brain thinking that decided the way to sell C-Dorys was to cheapen down the construction, line them up along side I-5 in Fife and try to sell them like Bayliners.
starcrafttom
Active member
Deck, What are you really looking for in a boat? sounds like you are like me. I boat to fish and the cruising is just a bonus. So if that is the case. Then this boat and any c-dory maynot be the best boat for you. sounds like you want to be able to run and fish with 3 to 4 guys. As I remember the c29 only ran in the high teens to low low 20's. I would go look for a sea sport or a similar size alum boat. http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/boa/3174664963.html
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/boa/3218395341.html
http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/boa/3217396935.html
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/boa/3218395341.html
http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/boa/3217396935.html
Pat Anderson
New member
Wow! Something on which I actually AGREE with my good friend Tom!
starcrafttom":30rzbp4u said:
Matt Gurnsey
New member
The C-Dory 29's were built by C-Dory, so they are part of the "family". I don't think it's any further removed from the "classic" C-Dory than the 24 Tomcat was, or the 255 Tomcat for that matter.
I know if I owned one, I would not feel welcome on this site, which is too bad.
We don't see used 29's on the market often, so that makes me think the owners like their boats. So the original poster likes the boat, and all anyone here can tell him is that it would be a mistake for him to buy it- when it might do exactly what he wants it to do.
I know if I owned one, I would not feel welcome on this site, which is too bad.
We don't see used 29's on the market often, so that makes me think the owners like their boats. So the original poster likes the boat, and all anyone here can tell him is that it would be a mistake for him to buy it- when it might do exactly what he wants it to do.
starcrafttom
Active member
Matt, I dont hate the 29. I just did not like the head and the steering. Other then that its a big 25 or even a single hull tomcat as far as room goes. My point is that the use that the poster had in mind may not be a good one for the boat. I dont think ( as far as I can remember) that the cruise speed was even in the low 20's. If you just like to cruise in the teens and are not running out to fish with 4 guys, as the poster stated, then I think its a fine boat. ( sorry pat) It has a lot of room, its nice looking, big deck, diesel inboard ( a big bonus) . I just did not like the head and yes I think that it gets in the way of the passagners line of sight, or the steering ( which may have been changed later i heard) . My problem with the 29 is its lack of performance, which I rate as MPH first and MPG second. Thats why I really dont want a ranger tug. I like my 27 cdory becasue I can cruise at 25mph at 10 GPH to get 2.5mpg. Which is better then most of the c25s I have talked to even when they are only traveling in the high teens.
All the boats I listed will preform the mission I stated, which is the one I think the poster is looking for, better then the 29. I think that he was hopeing the 29 was faster. Now heres the rub, how fast is the 29? what mpg does it get? we have no hard numbers to base opinions on, just what I remember being told by the factory ( which was not worth the breath is was spoken on at that time. IMHO)
I would love for a 29 owner to join this group and come to a event so we can get to know the boats ( sorry pat) I would like to see more Marinauts come here too as the boats are so close and the marinaut is a better handleing boat IMHO. I have ran both and really like the M215 and cant wait to see a bigger one.
If I had not found the 27 I would have gotten the seasport pilot house instead of a c-25 which is just not the boat for me. My needs are differant then others.
All the boats I listed will preform the mission I stated, which is the one I think the poster is looking for, better then the 29. I think that he was hopeing the 29 was faster. Now heres the rub, how fast is the 29? what mpg does it get? we have no hard numbers to base opinions on, just what I remember being told by the factory ( which was not worth the breath is was spoken on at that time. IMHO)
I would love for a 29 owner to join this group and come to a event so we can get to know the boats ( sorry pat) I would like to see more Marinauts come here too as the boats are so close and the marinaut is a better handleing boat IMHO. I have ran both and really like the M215 and cant wait to see a bigger one.
If I had not found the 27 I would have gotten the seasport pilot house instead of a c-25 which is just not the boat for me. My needs are differant then others.
Jack in Alaska
New member
Yesterday at Alaska Mining & Diving in Anchorage I saw a 23' Venture C-Dory, at least that is what the owner said. It has a reverse rake to the transom. Really tricked out 2008 model. Lots of extras. Too many for me.
Owner wants to sell it. He said he is too old ( 78 ) to be boating anymore. Boat name is FIN & FUR. grey stripe. Extremely nice looking and in perfect shape. 150hp Honda.
Owner wants to sell it. He said he is too old ( 78 ) to be boating anymore. Boat name is FIN & FUR. grey stripe. Extremely nice looking and in perfect shape. 150hp Honda.
Matt Gurnsey":34spgy31 said:
I would welcome any Venture 29 owner. We don't see used 29s on the market 'cause there weren't many 29s made. (We don't see many 14s on the market, either.) If there is any question about it, I don't think it would be a mistake for someone (anyone) to buy the 29. If ANY boat does the job for you, it is the right boat... if that 29 does all someone wants, I would be the first to salute their decision to purchase.
I agree that it IS a C-Dory. Heck, it looks like a C-Dory... well, in a bigger sorta way. :wink:
Some of my sailing buddies thought ANY powerboat was a wrong decision. I bought our CD-25 because it was the right boat for us. Bill and El might think our boat is wretched excess, but it was the right choice for us. No one here can make that decision for anyone else regarding ANY size boat.
I would be delighted to hear about someone buying that boat AND telling us what a great job it does for them!
Best wishes,
Jim B.
A
Anonymous
Guest
I am curious about how she performs...and would like to see pictures of the boat in the water and underway. Would it plane?
Jack in Alaska":1vxmmq0f said:
This morning I went to Alaska Mining and Diving on commercial drive near downtown and they didn't have it any longer. I walked the lot with the boat salesperson and he didn't know what I was talking about when I asked about the C-Dory Venture they had on consignment. Do you think they sold it or the owner changed his mind? If hes still selling it I would really like to take a look at it.