Venture 24 Information, Review, Specs

The Venture 24 emerged from MacGregor Yacht Corporation's early years, a period when the company, founded by Roger MacGregor in the early 1960s, focused on establishing a niche for innovative, trailerable designs. Roger MacGregor, also the principal designer, aimed to make boating more accessible, a goal evident in the Venture 24's simple and lightweight construction. The boat's production ran from 1969 until 1971, marking it as one of the initial models released under the "Venture" brand before the company transitioned to exclusively using the "MacGregor" name after 1969.

While the original Venture 24 was characterized by its open design, a notable variation, the Venture 2-24, introduced a "pop-top" in 1972, though it was otherwise similar to its predecessor. The Venture 24, as the earlier model, typically lacked a hull liner, suggesting a very basic, utilitarian interior finish that aligned with its ethos of affordability and straightforward functionality.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Venture 24, with its light displacement and fractional sloop rig, offers a sailing experience tailored towards ease of handling and performance in lighter conditions. Its Sail Area to Displacement ratio, calculated at approximately 23.87, indicates that it is a lively boat with good performance potential in light airs. Conversely, its relatively low Ballast to Displacement ratio of about 0.27 suggests it may be tender, requiring earlier reefing in stronger winds to maintain stability.

With a Displacement to Length ratio of approximately 216.7, the Venture 24 falls into the lighter end of its class, contributing to its ease of trailering and responsive feel on the water. Owners frequently describe the Venture 24 as a very light displacement boat that is easy to single-hand. However, some anecdotal accounts suggest it can be very tender in moderate winds, a characteristic common to many lightweight, easily driven designs. Its wing keel and fiberglass solid hull further contribute to its design as a manageable cruiser.

Accommodations and Layout

Reflecting its design as an affordable, trailerable sailboat, the Venture 24 features a largely utilitarian and basic interior. Information on its specific interior layout is limited in detailed reviews, and some accounts suggest interiors could be quite spartan or even "gutted" in older models, emphasizing its role as a simple weekender or day cruiser rather than a luxurious liveaboard. The absence of a factory-installed hull liner in the original Venture 24 also points to a raw, fiberglass interior, allowing owners to customize or keep the internal finish very simple. This approach provided a blank canvas for owners, contributing to its low cost and accessibility.