SeaRay versus Luhrs

3

300 Ray

Member
Jan 24, 2007
80
Binghamton N.Y.
Boat Info
86 300 WE twin 260IB's
88 250 Sorrento
66 Owens Contessa
96 SeaRay 330DA
Engines
260hp inboards
I will start buy saying that I am 33 years old and have owned 3 SeaRays so far, Currently an impecably mint 1986 300 WE with twin 260hp IB's. My wife and i have been kind of looking to go larger and probably convertable style. A local broker has a 1988 Luhrs 34 convertable that is very nice and showing only 700hrs. We have been crunching numbers with trade and they recently got very close to where I am comfortable. The problem is that i came across a survey recently on one of these boats and it was terrible. Do any of my fellow RAY owners out there know anything about these boats good or bad?? Thanx Dan
 
tobnpr said:
Pascoe is not a fan:
http://www.yachtsurvey.com/boatreviews/Luhrs_340_f.htm

Some more info here:
http://www.thehulltruth.com/boating-forum/222386-1988-luhrs.html
Click to expand...

Both good sources, but as always do consider the biases of the source... both Pascoe and the THT crew hate Sea Rays too. Luhrs, like most boats, have their place and can be a fine choice for the right purpose. It's when you try to build a commercial ocean-going sport fishing business based on a Luhrs convertible that you may run into trouble. THT is very sport-fishing oriented and Pascoe generally hates anything that isn't a Hatteras.

Consider your intended use, determine if the boat is appropriate and get the actual boat you are considering surveyed by a professional surveyor.
 
That Pascoe guy is flat out strange. He's got some financial blog going now and comments all the time about the economy in general and sounds like a whacked out crazy person. I ran across back in December and remember thinking how the guy sounded like he was about to commit suicide.
 
I tend to agree with Festivus on this too. Pascoe only likes Hatteras and Bertram, I think he has a story on his web site about a 42 Bertram that was hurtled out of the marina by a hurricane with only cosmetic damage or something...

You are in NY and you don't mention how you expect to use the boat. Coming from a SR WE you most likely will be cruising and costal running in good weather. So I would think that boat suits your needs. NOW if you say you are running 50 miles offshore for tuna with her, well then.... maybe not..

Being its a 1988 boat survey it thoroughly and identify any issues it has. Pay close attention to any hull areas that are inaccessible as they will most likely hide any issues. Get a mechanical survey on her too to validate the condition of the engines vs. the low hours you are seeing..

That's it really. Your boat seems to be excellent condition hopefully this one is in the same condition or can get there with some effort on your part. Enjoy!!
 
I didn't say I was a fan of Pascoe.
He also has done a review of my boat (390 EC) that was a bit disparaging. In the end, he concluded that it was an OK boat, that could've been a lot better had SR just spent a few extra bucks to make it so. You have to take what he says with a grain of salt, but he usually raises some very good points that deserve careful consideration.

I suggested THT because, well, this is a Sea Ray forum...
THT has a much broader member base the OP has a better chance of getting comments from someone with first-hand knowledge.
 
Thanx guys, I am actually a licensed surveyor but do it as more of a hobby. We are from the fingerlakes region and cruise lake ontario from time to time. I have never been aboard one of these boats and thats why i was lookin for others opinions. He stated many hull and flexing issues?? The boat he surveyed looked like a POS but they were all built with the same method and materials. Once again thanx Guys.
 
I have seen a lot of these boats in Florida. Most of them had the big hugh towers on them.

Haven't heard anything bad about them. I just didn't like the styling of the bow section.
 
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