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I am seriously considering purchasing this boat and would like a few comments about this boat. We live near Lake Superior and would use it on inland lakes also. We need a family boat that can handle the five of us for playing and also be able to take on some bigger water for fishing. I am wondering about the hull design and if this model has the accutrack hull? What is the main difference in the hull before the accutrack? Before purchasing this boat, can anyone please give me some tips on things I should look closely at on this whaler? Any other comments about this boat would be greatly appeciated. Merry Christmas everyone!!
I bought a ’99 18 Ventura this past spring. I know I’m a couple of feet short, but the two boats are very similar. The ’99 will have an Accutrack hull, but so do the newer models. The hull design changed back in 2001 (?) to more of a deep-V design, although it’s still called Accutrack. I prefer the older models (’99 included) because they tend to be more stable at rest. The deeper V will cut through the chop a little better, but will bob around more while idle. I suppose it would come down to how you plan to use the boat.
Have a professional survey done on the boat, and get a mechanic to look at the engine. (Unless there’s been a repower, both are 10 years old.) I can’t specifically speak about potential issues with the 20 footer, but the Ventura is a fairly simple boat. Not a lot to break. If the hull, transom, and deck are in good shape, there’s probably not too much else to worry about (engine aside.)
I don’t think you’ll be able to find a safer, more family friendly 20’ boat than the Ventura. She’s heavy, though, so make sure you have enough horsepower bolted to transom. I love my 18, but I suppose I’d take a 20 Ventura if you twisted my arm!
My dad is a Whaler dealer in Florida and surprised me by choosing a Ventura 18 for his personal boat- it's not the typical Whaler that most of us think of. Anyway, after fishing from it quite a few times over the past 4 years I have really come to respect this model. It is a bit heavy and not terribly fast, but the 18' has a folding rear bench seat (maybe the 20 does as well??) that becomes an incredible fishing platform. It really is a cool boat, and it sure is more comfortable for extended rides than the CC models- I'm sure you'll enjoy it if that is the direction you decide to go.
