I really like my venturer. It feels incredibly safe and open and airy. We currently have it on a trailer ready for the spring. She is a bit too big to trail.
We are thinking of installing a Honda 8 hp engine. The well compartment looks a bit small / odd shaped though. Has anyone installed an 8hp or bigger engine recently ?. I would be interested to hear your experiences.
I have owned a Newbridge Venturer for 4 years. She is a very safe boat which is easy to handle singe-handed. This makes her suitabe for family sailing.
Good safe sea boat.
Not a fast boat. Typica speeds: motor 4.3 knots before feu consumption increases dramatically.
We've just finished our first season with our Venturer, having spent many hours of very hard work last winter renovating her and bringing her up to scratch. She sails well, we've been out in up to 35 knots, and she felt safe and secure, though we will have to do something about the genoa sheeting arrangement, which is at present rubbish & must be slowing her down. She's however a lot slower than our last boat, which was a much more 'racy' vessel, but considering her extra weight - and the well thought out and capacious interior, we think it's an acceptable trade off. She's an attractive boat, and has aroused quite a deal of comment; several people asking just what type of Westerly she is! We have her off the water now - ready for her winter fit out. She's a lift keel version, which seems fairly rare, and we tow her behind a Mitsubishi Pajero LWB on her 4 wheel trailer. It's quite a rig on the road, but seems to tow easily though we have not as yet 'ventured' far. All together she we feel she was a good choice. A Dales
I have owned my Venturer since 1990 and I fitted it out myself.
Other than the typical Newbridge defects of leaking keels and badly-fitting rudder stocks it has been a reliable boat, although the quality of the finish of the gel coat was poor and has required constant attention.
Built for comfort rather than speed, just like its owner,it has coped with sea conditions up to gale force very well. It is somewhat frisky when running down-wind but very happy when reaching, frequently sailing on its own across Bournemouth bay.
We have owned a Venturer for 4 years now, I have fitted all new instruments in an attractive pod above the hatch, a new Yamaha 8hp engine, sprayhood and fitted new kemp sails. The boat feels very safe in all weathers, she can take a f7 in her stride, there are hugh cockpit lockers giving massive storage. An excellent boat as an introduction to larger boat cruising and best of all she will fit on a trailor allowing her to be brought home behind a large family saloon at the end of the season.
My wife and i have owned our 22ft venturer for two years now and cannot fault her at all.Four very ample births, seperate heads, nice little galley area and the biggest lockers on any boat this size.The offset engine well houses a four stroke 9.9hp mariner, and she sails well to wind and is quite manouverable in tight marinas if given short sharp bursts of power.There is a huge locker under the cockpit floor that holds two 6 gallon fuel tanks, an infateable tender and oars, various boat hooks etc. There is also a very active owners association for these boats and also the smaller Navigator.They have a web site at [Log in to view email]
This is a really nice boat which is an ideal starter. There's a small sink and gas stove, a seperate heads compartment and ample storage in lots of lockers. She'll sleep 4 people in one cabin( large v-berth and 2 singles) though you'd want to be good friends with your crew!!! She sails well,is east to handle and she's really good fun. My 23ft. boat has roller reefing, bilge keels and a 8hp outboard motor in an off centre well. You'll need to build up speed when motoring for the rudder to have steerage the engine is on the port side of the rudder- going astern can be tricky in a busy marina ( as my boarding ladder will quite happily demonstrate after it;s coming together with the dock) i did have a problem getting a new forestay but finally tracked the correct fittings down-contact cambrian marine of swansea marina if you too need one. In conclusion i'd definitely recommend a "NEWBIE"- you'll have many ad VENTURES. good luck,
Owned for 6 months.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed August 2003.
Performance
Safety
Accomodation
Overall Value for Money
After one season, my Venturer and I have become good friends. High coamings, roomy cockpit and all mod cons down below. True, it has been compared to a floating caravan but that's fine by me; I'm not in a hurry. Highly recommended as a first boat for short hops and weekends.
Owned for 1 year.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed July 2003.
Performance
Safety
Accomodation
Overall Value for Money
Handsome looking and handles well
Owned for more than 5 years.
Preloved Visitor
Reviewed May 2003.
Performance
Safety
Accomodation
Overall Value for Money
We have owned our venturer for three years now.She was our first boat.Four full length berths, seperate heads compartment and a galley.Loads of locker space in the cockpit lockers, and a huge under floor locker in the cockpit for fuel, dinghy etc.The engine is a 9.9hp four stroke Mariner housed in an offset well.This offset arrangement can cause a few heart stopping moments during close quarters marina berthing, but with a bit of experience and short sharp bursts on the throttle, this can be overcome.She sails well on all points of sail, although the trimming has to be spot on to get the best out of her.Heavy seas are taken in her stride and channel crossings are a snip for a boat of this size.The high cockpit coamings give her a very safe feel.Our boat has twin bilge keels and there are also lifting and fin options available.The venturer and its little sister the Navigator can definately hold their own in the looks department in any marina, as they have that BIG boat look and appear much larger than the LOA would suggest.We have added roller reefing to her and also a range of Clipper instruments and a Raymarine auto helm, DSC radio and fixed GPS.There is an exellent owners association and membership is well worth considering as there is a wealth of knowledge available on these boats and you will always be made to feel very welcome on club rallys,im not bias in anyway(im the vice commodore)but please visit the website at http://www.newbridge-nava.fsnet.co.uk
Owned for 3 years.
Showing reviews 1
to 10
of
10.
Important Note
All ratings and reviews are submitted by visitors to this web site, and represent their own personal opinion. They do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of Preloved.
You use this information at your own risk. Preloved can not be held responsible for any damages or loss resulting from the use of this site. Please see our Terms and Conditions for more details.
