Looking At A 1992 LUHRS TOURNAMENT 342

[jws123]

I looking At A 1992 LUHRS TOURNAMENT 342 this weekend I currently have a 94 Searay Sundancer 270 but have been looking for something with a flybridge. My marina is selling a 92 Luhrs really cheap like 3k it was abandoned and has been sitting for a while looks solid and in decent shape they have records on it as well. Mechanically I can get it going myself overall anything I should know about these boats? any known major issues? I see good and bad about Luhrs and diff models what should I be looking for? any pointers appreciated.

 

[hugh g]

A Luhrs 342 selling for $3k? In today's market? I'd hire a surveyor to go thru it with a fine tooth comb.

 

[jws123]

A Luhrs 342 selling for $3k? In today's market? I'd hire a surveyor to go thru it with a fine tooth comb.

Its a deal marina is giving me it was abandoned old guy died that use to own it I know engines will need work ect from sitting I am a mechanic so no big deal just wondering how these boats are in general what known issues they have and what to look for are the hulls good on these ect? I have seen complaints on different model boats from luhrs about hulls being thin or cracking. If anyone has one of these boats on here and has input on this model would be much appreciated.

 

[jws123]

A Luhrs 342 selling for $3k? In today's market? I'd hire a surveyor to go thru it with a fine tooth comb.

Also you would be surprised about the price most people now want the turn key ready to go boats those are the high priced ones right now. People dont know how or dont want to do the mechanical work and are scared to pay someone thousands to do it for them.

 

[jws123]

Anyone own one of these or have experience with them? about to make the deal also I had the Model wrong 1992 LUHRS Motor yacht 342 twin 454 sport pack marine power engines I went and looked at the boat yesterday needs some work for sure overall looks fixable to me.

 

[dingbat]

Anyone own one of these or have experience with them? about to make the deal also I had the Model wrong 1992 LUHRS Motor yacht 342 twin 454 sport pack marine power engines I went and looked at the boat yesterday needs some work for sure overall looks fixable to me.

The engines would be the least of my worries.

Wouldn’t consider w/o a full hull survey being done.

 

[Scott Danforth]

consider it may need a full hull restoration. the motors are the least of the problems

 

[jws123]

consider it may need a full hull restoration. the motors are the least of the problems

Ok i will get someone to inspect the hull this week before I buy it and make sure its solid are these known for hull/rot ect?

 

[Scott Danforth]

Ok i will get someone to inspect the hull this week before I buy it and make sure its solid are these known for hull/rot ect?

Boats are designed to last 15 years. That is a 30 year old boat that was left neglected

 

[mr 88]

Luhrs Owners Group on Facebook is your place to go for questions about Luhrs. Can also read the right up.review on Luhrs @ www.Yachtsurvey.com I have a 1996 32 Open with 454s. These are not throwaway boats and IMHO the comment about boats designed for 15 years is BS. I bet 90% of the Charter fleet boats on Lake Ontario are from the mid 80's to mid 90s. Maybe some 17-21 runabouts fall into that category , not the larger cruisers unless completely neglected.

 

[25thmustang]

I spent some time in and around a 1990 Luhrs 34', I have also seen the yacht survey Pasco report. The boat I was familiar with had little to none of the issues that the report mentioned.

The biggest issues to look for from the one I'm familiar with.
1.) bulkhead/stringer rot. The one I was involved with got a clean bill of health from a surveyor, but honestly this will be something to look at in any old boat.
2.) Fuel tanks. The one I dealt with was fine, but this is a major surgery if the tank(s) need to come out. Old fuel is also a bit of a pain or costly to get rid of.
3.) The boat I was familiar with had rotted flybridge deck coring. The quotes we got back 10 years ago were $10-12,000 from memory. The radar arch was interconnected to the rails and it had a ton of built in seating etc. It was a big repair job. I imagine the new owner of that boat either DIYed it, or lived with the soft floor.

 

[mr 88]

No they are not known for hull rot. Bottom is solid glass , my 96 32 Open has cored sides and deck. Stringers are glassed in with no voids and a good 4" of overlap on the glass. A survey is recommended and may be needed for insurance purposes as well. Early 90s they stepped up there quality on the hull . Small things like plastic slam hatches and finish of varnish is where they cut corners and all of that can be replaced with quality SS fittings or a good sanding and varnish. I replaced plastic and do not care about how pretty the varnish is , it's a fishing boat made to get banged around and not a dock Queen.

 

[jws123]

Thanks for all the input guys much appreciated goin back this weekend to look at it for the last time have someone going with me that is going to check over the hull ect as far as hatches plastic finishing's ect I dont mind I will clean up and update the boat over time once shes in the water and running.

 

[jws123]

Well here she is I own it lotta work to do and a bunch of questions to follow so far both engines run on starter fluid and sound good didnt want to use the old gas.

 

[jws123]

Wellp i found out why the boat looked so good and was abandoned put 15 gals of gas in dripping out the back corner of the aluminum tank looks like i have to cut the floor out pull the tank luckily its in a easy spot but still will have to repair the floor and see how much to repair tank and floor never came across this before.

 

[jws123]

Any input on how to repair a 300 gal aluminum tank would be appreciated

 

[dingbat]

Any input on how to repair a 300 gal aluminum tank would be appreciated

Don't repair, replace.

RDS fabricated mine

Custom Marine Fuel Tanks

RDS makes custom marine fuel, water, and waste tanks.

www.rdsaluminum.com

 

[mr 88]

Cut deck out if that's the only option . We just repaired a deck and ended up covering the back deck { actually whole boat } with Marine Mat and went with it button snaps . Boat looks 100% better after that and the M Mat has a foam backing which makes it easier on the legs when working the deck vs standing on FG all day long. You might be able to put some sort of lip on the deck for the part you cut out to be put back and then cover it anyway you want . It's pretty hard to match everything up if you don't cover it with something.

 

[jws123]

Cut deck out if that's the only option . We just repaired a deck and ended up covering the back deck { actually whole boat } with Marine Mat and went with it button snaps . Boat looks 100% better after that and the M Mat has a foam backing which makes it easier on the legs when working the deck vs standing on FG all day long. You might be able to put some sort of lip on the deck for the part you cut out to be put back and then cover it anyway you want . It's pretty hard to match everything up if you don't cover it with something.

Thanks for the suggestions called a local guy that makes tanks waiting on a quote as far as the deck I like this idea I think it will work cutting it out then putting same peice back with maybe aluminum angle iron for a lip/brace all around.

 

[mr 88]

A good shop vac aimed at the exit of your saws fiberglass dust tailings is the way to go. Correct brand new blade on saw and masking tape with your cut line down the middle of tape keeps edge chipping down. Good luck I am sure it will turn out ok in the end.