Luhrs 290 Open

[Sea Draggin]

Keep looking - The boat rides like a **** star - hard and wet. and sits even worse. I have been on many and they are all the same. the ride is aweful. And when sittng on the chunk rolls like a fat man on a moon bounce. I think it is becuase the lack of reverse chine but I am not sure. All I know is I couldn't wait to get off.

Fantastic, Extrodinary.........Amazing!

Not only has excellent advice been offered....But it has been done as it only could on SPORTFISHMAN.COM

[Tuna Taxi]

Sounds like the 29 Luhrs is getting some bad press here. It certainly is not as bad a portrayed above. Is it the best boat out there...no, is it the worst...certainly not!

The boat is a <30' express so it is wet and moves a bit...they all do. If you know how to run a boat, you can quickly dial it in and have a nice ride. It has a very deep V and handles a chop nicely. Rolls at anchor and on the drift, but all deep v's do.

Fit and finish is not the best, but look at the price. You can buy a Pursuit at twice the price and not get twice the quality.

If you are looking for an entry-level, offshore capable boat you have to look at this one. Most of the knocks on the Luhrs are personal preference, and a bit of exaggeration. If you could show me a boat in that size range that was significantly better, maybe I'd reconsider. Unfortunately you cannot without tripling the price. Take a 27' Alby out in the same slop and if you tell me it rides smooth and dry, you're just in denial.

The 29 Luhrs is a boat you have to go into with you eyes open. If you want a good (not great) boat, solid and sea-worthy, and no unnecessary fluff....this is a good boat to consider. If you want a boat less than 30' that rides like a boat greater than 40', look elsewhere....and bring your checkbook (and maybe someone else's).

I'll tell you this, I've fished offshore on a 29 Luhrs in relative comfort on days I would not take my 43' Sportfish out. And I'm not a bad weather sailor.

[BrothaBob]

Thanks Tuna Taxi!

[jawz12]

the luhrs factory has such a void problem with their 290 hulls,a team was formed and traveled to repair the hulls-a few years ago clarks landing had a 290 in the ac boat show-after it was ran to be hauled for the show the voids were opened up-this was just 1 example....
ride...it's all realitive...if you move from a 21 center console to a 290 luhrs-you will think it rides great....
another tell of the quality of a boat is the resale factor-check the resale on the luhrs line-not too good huh ?? also check the amount of those boats on the market....

[BottomLine]

I'm looking to move up too and getting fustrated with what's on the market. I'm in a ProLine 2950, which like the Luhrs is arguably a lot of boat with somewhat less in the quality department. Like comparing a ProLine to a Grady and a Luhrs to a CABO. I was tempted to get int a Luhrs, but have definately eliminated Luhrs from consideration after several sea trials, resale value and speaking to Luhrs owners. I'm beginning to wonder why move up at all. I don't need the headache of 2 inboard diesels, being able to trailer the boat is a big plus, has plenty of fuel (300 gals) capacity, large cockpit, decent below deck accomodations, she's fast...and it's paid for to boot. But there is something about trading up, I guess it's part of the boating/fishing disease. Take a look at the Fountain 33 SFC or the 38 LX.

[BottomLine]

...or a Wellcraft 33 Coastal if you want a "big" inboard boat. I'd be more inclined to go with Wellcraft for a mass produced boat than the Luhrs. I've seen several late model Coastals with diesels in the low to mid 100k range. My buddy has a Coastal 290 and it seems well made and he's happy with it.

[74Formula233]

A buddy of mine had a 290 Coastal (has since sold it) and while sanding the bottom after the first year to repaint the bottom, he sanded thru the hull skin to the foam core! Quality control problem....bigtime.....

They offered to repair it......how the hell do you do that without creating a bulbous bulge in the hull bottom?

[jawz12]

earlier this season,i had to replace a fuel tank in a 99 wellcraft 264 coastal....the tank was leaking....after cutting the deck up....the quality control at wellcraft,is among the poorest i have ever seen,anyone to consider purchasing one of their products should seriously look again !! i have pics of the whole mess-sent them to the factory as well

[BrothaBob]

Thanks for all the updates......I've come up with an idea for a new thread!!!