I am the former owner of a 2005 26M. Have regretted selling the boat since day one. A 2000 26X with no motor or trailer is available for $1500.00. Question is...what is the biggest difference between the two? I know the obvious problems that I need a motor and trailer, plus it will be a "projec...

Good for you. Glad you can use the live aboard space. I think for now I will scratch the sailing itch with the Buccaneer Sail Club here in Pensacola. They have two 24' keel boats in a wet slip. All insurance and maintenance is covered, plus the gas...all for $95.00 a month. The thought of driving 10...

I am the former owner of a 26M, blue hull, with a 70HP Suzuki 4 stroke that I dearly loved. I could solo sail with no problems and Pensacola Bay provided a terrific year round sailing environment. Problem was my four grand kids did not like the "slow" boat. So to placate everyone I sold my...

Well darn. Snooze you lose. The Venture 25 sold today. I guess the $1800 price tag was just too good. My search continues. May join a local sailing club. $95.00 a month gets unlimited use of a 24 foot keel boat that is slipped. I can't even get a slip for less than $300/mo.

Well darn. Snooze you lose. The Venture 25 sold today. I guess the $1800 price tag was just too good. My search continues. May join a local sailing club. $95.00 a month gets unlimited use of a 24 foot keel boat that is slipped. I can't even get a slip for less than $300/mo.

Hey Old sALT. I am going to look at a 1973 Venture 25 for $1800. Comes with 8hp Evinrude. The owner says the keel bolts were replaced five years ago. Says he last sailed her April 2011 and that everything is in good shape. Since I formally owned a 26M the concept of a 500 pound keel is unique to me....

Thanks Mr. Bill. Good .02 cents. My main concern is water intrusion through the keel. I am not sure how the keel works on the Venture. Will know more after I inspect the boat. The bottom here is sandy and a steady 24 - 36 inches most of the year. I can always anchor farther away from shore if need b...

Thanks for your replies. The owner says the keel bolts were replaced five years ago. My big concern is that I plan to put a coat of bottom paint on her and anchor just offshore near my home. The water in Santa Rosa sound is shallow for 100 yards so I can just walk out when I want to sail. Since the ...

There is a 1973 25' Venture with 8HP kicker for $1800 near me. On a trailer. I owned a 2007 26M (Blue Hull) for two years and sold it to keep my grandkids happy by buying a power boat that will go fast. I still have the sailing bug, and $1800 seems to be a good price. Are the Ventures well built eno...

There is a 1973 Venture 25 with 8 HP motor available near me for $1800.00. I used to own a 26M and wonder what is the difference between these boats. Does $1800 sound like a good price? What should I look for in the way of problems. Thanks in advance for input.

We have chartered in the BVI on two occasions. Once with Sunsail, the other with Moorings. Both experiences exceeded our expectations. A key to having a great vacation was hiring a captain and cook. We did some of the sailing, but it was nice to leave the mooring decisions to someone who knew he loc...

Thanks to all who have replied. Having owned a few offshore fishing boats I am familiar with "surfing" with a following sea. The conditions we had yesterday could not be described as predictable in that we had a very heavy chop, with wave crest extremely tight together. totally unpredictib...

Must be contagious. I maintain a Bruce, and a Danforth and have the appropriate securing mechanism on the bow rail for both. I switch back and forth depending on bottom. Yesterday we were anchored in a grassy area so I used the danforth. Upped anchor, placed it back in the bracket, re-attached the s...

SW wind 25KTS and motoring back to the marina with a following sea. We are motoring at 2000 RPM (maybe 5 kts) down wind with full ballast and the bow is literraly plowing into the chop, and wallowing seriously. hard to maintain a straight course. Any attempt to increase speed made the engine (Suzi 7...

Kevin's idea of mounting a backer plate to the hull with epoxy sounds like it will work. I will need to trim the carpet off the hull, but the rack is only 24" long and 6" tall. I will get some 1/2" teak and epoxy it to the hull, then screw the rack to the teak. Should work. This forum...