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I've noticed all the problems with new Luhrs on the threads.....how about an old model like this? I'm looking at one locally .....the guys wants 35k.....looks nice. lots of fishing room, about 1200 orig hours on the gas engines.....any comments appreciated as all the bad pr on the Luhrs makes me wonder if this is a POS also.....
What kind of power? I have fished on a 29 plenty of times. They take rough water good. Damn good. BUT the one I fished had gas engines. There wasn't a trip that we didn't have trouble with the engines. That was the engines though. I would say if it has diesels it would have been one hell of a boat. Where is this boat you are looking at located. Would it happen to be in Texas?
Panda, I'm not to familiar with the boat other then it has a nice lay out for a 29 footer. Gas motors on the average last around 1500 hours. I know plenty of people who had well over that and I call them lucky. I had a crusader 454 with 1100hrs on it when I decided to re block it. Found the cams were very worn and low compression in a couple of cylinders. Depending where you are you might get a few seasons out of them. The good thing with gas is you can get a new block for the right price or remanufactured for even cheaper. Just go with a reputable re builder if you go remanufactured. I went with a jasper remanufactured block 18 month warranty and it ran like a bear. Hope this helps...
Panda,
I looked at a Luhrs of that vintage when I was in the market 5 years ago and I was impressed by the layout which happened to be a fish around/walkaround with tower - I believe it too was 29'. It had gas engines that exhausted out the hullsides rather than straight out through the transom. I ended up with a 1989 28' Rampage which happens to be for sale at a price that is very competitive to the 35k ask you referenced on the Luhrs. If you are near Long Island, NY I'd be happy to take you out for a day of fluke fishing if you'd like to get a point of reference for how the Rampage rides - who know's maybe you'll want to by mine!! Take a look at the link in my signature for details on the boat as advertised here on thehulltruth....
Thanks for the comments guys.....flattie I would take you up on your offer but I'm out here in Los Angeles.....Redondo Beach to be exact.....the boat I'm considering has twin Crusaders 270hp each......looks to be in decent shape with 1300 hrs.....the layout is what I like about this boat......but just like to hear from those who have experiences with one.....thx
Here is the deal, A lot of boat for less money in general. Your on the west side so your paying 15-20% over what you would in Fl. That's just life. And there are occasional exceptions. The boat rides very well in our local chop. Cant speak to your ocean swell. The most grief you are likely to experience is loose accoutrements and water intrusion to the cabin. Stringers are a really possibility. The Crusaders should be decent for a little while if the risers have been done on time. The good news is that you may be able to get Todd Swede (San Diego) to survey it. He is the preeminent west coast surveyor. If not him then certainly his referral.
Pretty boat, I always liked them. Good luck.
__________________ Baitkiller= Accredited Marine Surveyor
Bait fear me, fish just laugh.....
The little Dutch boy was just buying time...
I have a 28 Rampage with 275 hp Chryslers. I had 29 gas (Not sure what size motors)Luhrs following me one day to go fishing. The boat would not plane, it was a very slow boat, and the owner said that it was a major problem, and his boat wasn't the only one with these issues. I would find out which powerplant had these issues and make sure that the one your looking at, is not one of the ones that luhrs had issues with.
steveyacht - 8/2/2007 8:32 AMCrusaders with 1200 hours and only 270 HP on that boat are most likely nearing the end of their usable life. Procede with caution.
What he said:
steveyacht - 8/2/2007 8:32 AMCrusaders with 1200 hours and only 270 HP on that boat are most likely nearing the end of their usable life. Procede with caution.
My twin gas Volvos in my albemarle checked out right at 1200 hours. I won't buy any boat with gas engines again.. I'll spend some more moeny and buy diesel. No brainer.
My twin gas Volvos in my albemarle checked out right at 1200 hours. I won't buy any boat with gas engines again.. I'll spend some more moeny and buy diesel. No brainer.
Not sure I would call it a no brainer. If you don't put a bunch of hours on your boat you may not need diesels. I have never fished in California. I have no idea if they make long runs offshore or just go out into a bay or something. If you are making short runs you could repower with new gas engines for about $20k and have a boat you could use for a long time. http://www.crusaderengines.com/repowerspecial.html
Thanks for the replies...think I pass on this boat.....found another one I like.....how about a sport craft 30 with yanmar turbo diesels with about 500 hours on it......guy wants 65k for it.....
I didn't take any pics when I went to look at it.....maybe if I see it again I'll take some pics.....seems real clean, the engines look its age.....the cabin and head looks ok.....
Crusaders with 1200 hours and only 270 HP on that boat are most likely nearing the end of their usable life. Procede with caution.
Wrong! 270 HP Crusaders are some of the most reliable gas inboards ever made....ever! My Dad had a set in his '87 29' Cruisers and they were problem free for 1500+ hours. He sold the boat a few years back and I know for a fact they are still running fine to this day.
The old 29' Luhrs is very different from the current 290. It's built on the 29' Silverton hull and is not an overly heavy boat. I think it has a dry weight of between 8000 and 9000 lbs.
My comments re specific to 270-HP small block Crusaders in that specific boat. That is not a light boat and while running is under quite a load all the time on those relatively small motors. If my comments were contrued as a knock on Crusader, that was not the intent. Cursaders are fine motors........ one of, if the best marine gas engine out there. But, at 1200 hours many, many gas engines are nearing the end of their servicable life. I feel that your particiular experience is more of an exception than a rule.
how's a Luhrs 1989 29 Tournament 
