320 TOURNAMENT LUHRS CONVERTIBLE
www.luhrs.com
Length: 31′ 6″
Beam: 13′
Draft: 3′ 1″
Weight: 15,000 lbs
Fuel Capacity: 272 Gallons
Speed Range: 20 – 28 Knots
Wayfarer Charters, Martha’s Vineyard
508-3326-2031
In New England, hardcore charter fishermen seem to have trouble considering any boat other than a traditional Down East or open bass-style vessel worthy of taking folks out fishing. However, if you want a fishing boat with a smooth ride and an attractive interior – a place with all the comforts of home where you can escape from the weather or just eat your lunch – then perhaps it’s time to take a look at the Jersey-built line of convertibles by Luhrs.
Henry Luhrs began his boatbuilding days on the Jersey Shore, building bluewater boats with a goal of creating economical craft that everyone could enjoy. Production moved to St. Augustine, Florida until 2009, when Luhrs Sportfishing consolidated their manufacturing facilities, moved production to Millville, New Jersey, and began promoting the “Built Jersey Tough” tagline.
The Luhrs 320 Convertible was introduced in 1988 as a departure from the more fishing-focused boats in the Luhrs lineup, offering something for folks who cared about comfort and cruising along with fishing. I’ve found my 32-foot Luhrs to offer a great compromise between a seaworthy vessel, a great fishing platform, and a comfortable living space for family cruising. The boat remained in production until 1999 and is still extremely popular with used boat buyers.
The Luhrs 320 has a deep “V” Carolina hull with a significant flare that handles a larger sea than you might imagine. Combine that with a 13-foot beam and solid fiberglass bottom construction you have a vessel that can stay on course in a following sea. I often fish the famed current rips off Wasque and the deepwater channels around the Vineyard where 6- to 8-foot seas are not uncommon when the tide gets rolling. I can tell you, there are few other boats out there with me on those trips making a day of it.
Its large deck allows ample room for casting and drift fishing for several people. There are 6 adjustable rod holders that allow up to 6 rods for trolling or any other secret arrangement a captain wants to use. On normal days for drift fishing, it can accommodate 3 to 4 people without tangling lines. It has a tuna door for the big ones and a large storage box, for keeping fish or stowing large items, built flush into the deck, keeping the fishing space clear. It removes easily and provides full access to the rear bilge pump and rudder structure. The gunwales are higher than on most of today’s slim-line-style boats and makes me feel a lot safer about having youngsters on board. Two large storage cabinets for tackle, shore hook up and other important items straddle the entrance door to the living space, which boasts a built-in refrigerator, stovetop, sink, microwave, television, stereo system, and a convertible couch and fold-down eating area for sleeping. The space is carpeted and leads to a full head, shower, sink, mirrors and an electric toilet. From there you enter the stateroom, which has a comfortable queen-size berth with dresser draws built in below the bed and lighted cedar closets on each side of the bed.
This flybridge has only one helm upstairs on the bridge and it can be a disadvantage, but it does maximize the living space on this vessel for family cruising.
The bridge is fully enclosed with zip-down panels, and electronics are above the captain’s head, providing an uncluttered dash. On my dash, I have installed three small red warning lights that are attached to each of the bilge pumps below. Operating from a bridge, you can’t hear your bilges go off and on, but you can see a light go on, indicating all are in proper working order.
Driving from 15 feet above the water in a flybridge does provide an advantage for you to see birds and fish breaking at much greater distances than open vessels and t-tops. However, if you are planning to use this style boat for charter fishing, a mate to handle the rods and keep an eye on everyone is essential. In rough weather, some pitching can occur on the bridge, but the weight of this vessel and the 13-foot beam minimizes that. In reasonable weather for waters around the Islands and Vineyard Sound, it is a very comfortable ride for four people to accompany the Captain in the bridge on the ride to the fishing grounds.
Twin 454 gas engines power my 320 Tournament Luhrs. Although, I have cruised at 25 knots for several hours, you will be reminded not to do this when you pull up to a gas pump and refuel the 290-gallon tank. The boat gets up on plane quite easily, and I have found that by cruising at 16 knots or no more than 3200 rpms, the four barrels will not kick in and fuel efficiency is dramatically increased.
Diesels are today’s engines of choice for many fuel-conscientious fishermen, but there is a trade off here that you should consider. Let’s say the cost of diesel engines is $30,000 more than gas engines. Think about how much fuel you would consume on an average season and determine an estimated cost. Depending on your amount of usage, how many years purchasing gas will it take to equal the difference in the cost of the diesel engines? It could be as many as 5 to 10 years.
Should you decide to purchase a flybridge vessel with diesels, a sea trial is essential to check for diesel fume odor that can hang in the cockpit area at slower speeds, in certain winds and during drift fishing. It is difficult enough for most passengers not to become seasick on open water without adding the queasiness that diesel fumes can sometime cause.
With all this being said, every boat is a compromise and no boat will meet all of your needs. Serious fishermen may not be satisfied with the size of the cockpit or the range offered by the 320. However, for my charter business and my family, blending the luxury of a well-appointed flybridge like this 32-foot Luhrs and the efficiency of serious fishing that it provides, makes everyone a happy camper.
While the 32 is no longer in production, the Luhrs 35 Convertible offers a similar mix of cruising comfort and hardcore fishability. Inshore cruisers can opt for a full windshield, while dedicated offshore fishermen should select the non-windshield version. The two stateroom 35 Convertible sleeps four to six people in comfort, and the accommodations below rival those of larger boats. Topsides, custom touches abound, such as multiple fishbox and tackle prep areas. Buyers can choose traditional shaft-drive diesel power or the revolutionary Volvo IPS system with available Sportfish Mode.
would anyone know the measurement from bottom of keel to top of hard top of a 32’luhrs open w/13’beam
Nope. But I know you draw one hellova lightning bolt on a homemade skateboard!
Anyone have an owners manual for a 91. 32 convertible