What is Luhrs Boats?
Luhrs is an American sportfishing-boat brand best known for fiberglass Open express boats and flybridge Convertibles. Legacy Luhrs models generally range from the upper-20-foot class to approximately 50 feet and combine offshore fishing cockpits, inboard propulsion and cabins equipped for overnight trips. The brand became particularly popular with anglers seeking a capable diesel sportfisher at a more accessible price than many premium or custom-built competitors.
Luhrs is now being marketed through a relaunch that emphasizes semi-custom center consoles, offshore power catamarans and fully custom fishing yachts. However, the established brokerage market remains dominated by boats built before the original production operation stopped in 2012.
What is the history of Luhrs Boats?
The Luhrs family’s maritime heritage dates to the 1830s, while the modern Luhrs sportfishing operation began in St. Augustine, Florida, in 1986. Earlier generations of the family operated a New York marine chandlery and later built Henry Luhrs Sea-Skiffs in New Jersey. Those cedar lapstrake boats developed a reputation for seaworthiness and reached production of more than 1,200 boats annually at the company’s peak.
John and Warren Luhrs later expanded the family’s marine businesses through brands including Silverton, Hunter and Mainship. The brothers added the Luhrs fishing-boat operation to the Luhrs Marine Group in 1986, creating the fiberglass Open and Convertible sportfishing models most buyers associate with the brand today.
Is Luhrs still in business and building new boats?
Luhrs is publicly promoting a return, but buyers should carefully verify the status of any boat represented as new or under construction. The original powerboat operation ceased production in January 2012 as Luhrs Marine Group’s parent entered bankruptcy proceedings. The current Luhrs website describes a new ownership era and presents an “upcoming” fleet of center consoles, catamarans and custom sportfishing yachts.
As of August 12, 2026, YachtWorld showed only pre-owned Luhrs boats and no newly built vessels, while another retail marketplace returned no exact matches for 2026 Luhrs models. That does not prove that no construction activity exists, but it means a buyer should obtain written verification of the contracting company, construction location, hull ownership, build schedule, warranty backing and delivery terms before making a deposit.
What new Luhrs models have been announced?
Luhrs’ announced fleet includes semi-custom center consoles, power catamarans and full-custom sportfishing yachts. The official model page promotes center-console concepts led by the triple-outboard Luhrs 40 CC and the long-range Luhrs 56 CC, which is described with a convertible mezzanine bunk and approximately 700 gallons of fuel capacity. The page also identifies the Luhrs 40 CAT, 48 CAT and 56 CAT.
Luhrs also proposes fully custom fishing yachts from approximately 45 to 75 feet. These boats are described as cold-molded wood-and-epoxy composite projects constructed in the Fort Pierce–Stuart area of Florida. All of these models should be treated as announced or upcoming programs unless the buyer receives documentation showing that a particular hull has entered construction or has been completed.
What types of boats did legacy Luhrs build?
Legacy Luhrs production centered on Open express sportfishers and flybridge Convertibles. Open models placed a protected helm deck immediately forward of the fishing cockpit, while Convertibles placed the main helm on a flybridge above the salon. Luhrs also produced Tournament models, hardtops, a limited number of motor yachts and the later IPS-powered Canyon Series.
The historical range included boats such as the 28 Open, Tournament 290 Open, 32 Open, 32 Convertible, 34, 35, 36 Open, 36 Convertible, 38 Open, 38 Convertible, 40 Open, 40 Convertible, 41 Open, 41 Convertible, 44 Convertible, 50 Convertible and 37 IPS Canyon Series.
What is the difference between a Luhrs Open and a Luhrs Convertible?
A Luhrs Open keeps the helm close to the cockpit, while a Luhrs Convertible places the helm on an elevated flybridge. The Open arrangement makes communication between the captain and anglers easier and allows the operator to reach the cockpit without repeatedly climbing a bridge ladder. It also creates a protected helm-deck seating area where passengers remain connected to the fishing activity.
A Convertible provides elevated visibility for locating birds, weed lines and fish while allowing the salon below to use the yacht’s full beam. It may offer more separation between the operating station and living accommodations, but the captain is farther from the cockpit. The Luhrs 41 illustrates the distinction particularly well: its Open version emphasized cockpit access, while its Convertible offered two private staterooms and a more traditional flybridge layout.
How are Luhrs Boats constructed, and what engines do they use?
Most legacy Luhrs sportfishing boats use fiberglass hulls with modified-V or deep-V running surfaces and twin inboard engines. Construction schedules differ by model and production year. For example, the long-running 380/40/38 Convertible family used a modified-V hull with fiberglass construction and coring in selected hull-side areas, while other models used different combinations of solid and cored laminates.
Diesel engines from manufacturers such as Caterpillar, Cummins, Yanmar and Volvo Penta are common, although smaller and older boats may have gasoline power. Conventional shaft drives dominate the brokerage market, while the late-production 37 Open and 37 Canyon Series used Volvo Penta IPS pod propulsion. The current announced fleet is intended to use outboards for the center-console and catamaran models, while the custom-yacht program emphasizes advanced composite and cold-molded construction.
Are Luhrs Boats considered good-quality and good in rough water?
Luhrs developed a strong reputation for delivering practical offshore capability and useful accommodations at a comparatively accessible price. The brand was often described as an “everyman’s sportfish,” offering large fishing cockpits, cabins and diesel power without the acquisition cost of many premium or custom-built sportfishing yachts.
Many Luhrs models have sharp forward entries, substantial bow flare and modified-V hulls intended for coastal and offshore operation. However, the condition of a particular boat matters more than the brand’s historical reputation. Hull moisture, structural repairs, engine maintenance, loading, tower installations and previous grounding or collision damage can materially affect performance and safety. A professional survey and a sea trial in representative conditions are essential.
How does Luhrs compare with Cabo, Albemarle, Tiara, Hatteras and Viking?
Luhrs historically occupied the value-oriented portion of the diesel sportfishing market. Buyers often compare used Luhrs models with Cabo, Albemarle, Tiara, Ocean Yachts, Hatteras and Viking boats of similar size. Luhrs generally offered substantial interior room, broad beams and standard fishing equipment at lower original prices than many boutique or premium competitors.
Compared with Cabo or Albemarle, a Luhrs may provide more interior space for the purchase price but can vary more widely in finish quality and present condition. Hatteras and Viking typically occupy a higher price and equipment category, particularly in larger convertibles. The relaunched center-console and power-catamaran concepts would compete in a different market that includes modern offshore brands such as Freeman, Invincible, Front Runner and Valhalla. This is a market-positioning assessment based on the boats’ sizes, layouts, construction programs and intended uses.
What are the most popular Luhrs models?
The Luhrs 28 Open, Tournament 290 Open, 32 Open, 36 Convertible and 38 Convertible are among the most recognizable models on the current brokerage market. YachtWorld identifies the 38 Convertible, Tournament 290 Open, 28 Open, 32 Open and 36 Convertible among the brand’s most widely listed models.
Historically, Luhrs describes the 28 Open as one of its most successful designs and the 40 Open and Convertible family as the company’s flagship for more than a decade. The 41 Open and Convertible are also sought after because they combine substantial fishing capability with cabins, galleys, enclosed heads and useful overnight accommodations.
Can a Luhrs Boat be owner-operated, and can you stay overnight aboard one?
Many Luhrs Boats can be owner-operated by an experienced private captain and provide genuine overnight accommodations. Smaller Open models are particularly appealing to hands-on anglers because the helm and cockpit are on nearly the same level. Larger Convertibles require greater docking experience, but twin engines, good bridge visibility and available bow thrusters or modernized controls can assist handling.
Depending on the model, accommodations can include a private forward stateroom, convertible salon seating, a galley, an enclosed head, a separate shower and air conditioning. The Luhrs 41 Open has a private forward cabin and convertible salon sleeping areas, while the Convertible version provides two private staterooms.
How do Luhrs owners typically use their boats?
Luhrs owners use their boats for offshore trolling, tuna and billfish fishing, canyon runs, bottom fishing, tournaments, charter work and overnight angling trips. Their cockpits can include livewells, fish boxes, bait-preparation stations, tackle storage, washdowns, outriggers and towers, while the cabins allow the crew to rest, prepare meals and remain aboard between fishing days.
Luhrs Boats can also support family cruising, waterfront dining and weekend travel. On the Great Lakes, owners use comparable express and convertible sportfishers for salmon and trout fishing, tournament competition and trips between ports. Great Lakes buyers should pay particular attention to cockpit-enclosure options, engine-cooling systems, winterization records and heated-storage history.
Has Luhrs received any recent awards?
No recent model-specific judged award for the relaunched Luhrs fleet could be clearly verified as of August 12, 2026. The current official materials describe the new models as upcoming, and public brokerage inventories continue to consist entirely of pre-owned boats. Luhrs’ present recognition is therefore based mainly on its historical sportfishing reputation, continuing demand for legacy models and interest in the announced return of the brand.
Boat-show appearances, editorial coverage and manufacturer statements about tournament heritage should not be described as formal award wins. When future Luhrs models receive a judged design, innovation or customer-satisfaction award, the page should identify the specific model, awarding organization, category and year.
How much does a used Luhrs cost, and what should buyers inspect?
Used Luhrs asking prices range from inexpensive restoration candidates to more than $200,000 for late-production or extensively upgraded boats. As an August 2026 market snapshot, YachtWorld displayed approximately 96 pre-owned Luhrs Boats, with advertised prices ranging from roughly $3,500 to $244,000. MarineSource showed a somewhat narrower range of approximately $7,500 to $285,000. Asking prices are not completed sale prices, and unusually low-priced boats may require substantial structural or mechanical work.
Every used Luhrs should receive a marine survey, separate engine inspections, oil analysis when appropriate, a haul-out and a sea trial. Important areas include:
-Hull and deck moisture, stringers, bulkheads and transom condition
-Fuel tanks, fill hoses, exhaust systems and engine-room ventilation
-Engines, transmissions, shafts, propellers, rudders or IPS pods
-Generator, batteries, shore power and electrical wiring
-Windows, hatches, tower attachments and evidence of water intrusion
-Livewells, fish boxes, pumps, refrigeration and cockpit equipment
-Previous repowers, structural repairs, grounding damage and charter history
Because original factory support for legacy boats may be limited, buyers should also confirm the availability of manuals, model-specific hardware and technicians familiar with older Luhrs systems.
Why should I use Jefferson Beach Yacht Sales to purchase a Luhrs Boat?
A Jefferson Beach Yacht Sales yacht broker can help locate and evaluate Luhrs Boats throughout the national brokerage market while representing the buyer’s interests. A JBYS broker can compare Open and Convertible models, review maintenance and engine records, analyze asking prices and coordinate qualified marine surveyors, diesel technicians, haul-outs and sea trials.
Jefferson Beach Yacht Sales reports more than 50 years of company heritage, more than 1,050 years of combined team experience and nine locations across Michigan, Illinois, Ohio and Florida. Its experience in both Great Lakes and coastal markets is particularly useful when evaluating freshwater history, winter storage, offshore use, transportation and regional service availability.
A JBYS broker can also assist with negotiations, financing, insurance, closing documentation and delivery.
