I was about to write a post that you might want to buy a Venture if you wanted the capabilty of surveying and fighting and didn't have an Apogee available. And then I remembered that Surveying Equipment is a hullmod that you can just put onto all your logistical ships.
@Locklave. You like the Mule. Really? Why? It's basically like the Venture. You only use it because you happened to pick it up for "free". I regard them as nearly identical in role and style. What is it about the Mule? More cargo space? Shielded Cargo Hull? Faster? Does that reach the tipping point in usefulness?
Shield Cargo/Faster (burn and in combat)/250 cargo/cheap to maintain/reliable in a fight (AI controlled)/9 burn base/common and easy to replace/Plenty of OP for mods/Non civilian hull (no extra cost for certain mods).
It's not even when it passes the tipping point, it's that there is no question that it does pass it. Taking one even with 5 D mods can be a solid addition (assuming it's not something that directly undermines it's function). Honestly the bar is also lower for stuff smaller then a cruiser, you expect a cruiser to do more. Hound and Cerberus meet and pass the bar just because they are dirt cheap and have okay cargo space, they even make great cannon fodder in a serious fight because they are so replaceable.
I'd love for Venture to have some charming feature that makes it worth the Supplies/Fuel.
Hegemony Buffalo is a good example of that sweet spot for a totally non combat ship. The military hull mod frees up mod points and a dock mod slot for free. You could toss in lower upkeep and more cargo space or maybe a scanners. It just feels good to have extra options without requirements. Even though it can't fight it's worth the fleet space early-mid game. If a ship can't fight decently (like the Mule) it should be damn good at what it does.
Combat freighters all pretty much hit that sweet spot because they do a job for the fleet and can help out without being useless if things get bad. I was honestly hoping the Venture was a jewel in the rough and I just couldn't see it.
edit:
I Buy Mules, not just find them. 50k about, not a major investment. I usually have 5-6 Mules up until I have my own planet. Can't afford too many non combat ship spaces and cargo is a must have. Shielded to avoid annoying stuff like a patrol taking your AI cores/drugs w/e scav you found that is not allowed on your latest trip. Less stuff to worry about, fly right into the port without concern.