Boat test for the 2006 Luhrs 41 Open with boat pictures, boat specifications, and boat test results. Includes pricing, videos, engine test reviews, and ratings for the 2006 Luhrs 41 Open.

The prior night’s downpour had eased to a thick, humid mist as I made my way down the dock behind the Hall of Fame Marina in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, but even in the morning’s gloomy haze, the new Luhrs 41 Open looked inviting. And I was not the only one on the dock that seemed to harbor that opinion. As I introduced myself to the Luhrs’ dealer, Capt. Sam Jaber of Scituate Yacht Company, we were approached by the owners of the boat in the slip alongside ours. Docked there overnight during a trip along the Intracoastal in their own express cruiser, they were openly effusive in their admiration of the Luhrs, half-jokingly asking what Jaber might consider for an on-the-spot trade.

Considering the features of the 41 Open, it’s easy to see why she’s such an alluring prospect. Though unmistakably intended for fishing, with a custom aluminum tower and a host of other standard fishing goodies, she’s just as nicely suited for cruising or day-tripping. Indeed, her spacious bridge deck and roomy saloon are the rival of any express cruiser in her size range.

To be honest, many of the features I liked on the bridge deck are optional, but the point is, they’re available and really transform the 41 into a great dual-purpose craft. Certainly the most prominent option on our test boat was her Summer Galley. Mounted just aft of the helm, the nifty unit houses a barbeque, sink, and refrigerator/freezer, so meals and refreshments can be prepared outdoors on the bridge deck, just steps away from the cockpit. And speaking of cool features, our test boat was also fitted with an optional ice maker (tucked under the big double companion seat opposite the helm) and an optional 18,000-Btu bridge air-conditioning unit. With its optional three-sided bridge enclosure, the bridge deck becomes an all-weather haven that makes the galley and saloon seem almost superfluous.

This is not meant to short change the galley and saloon. On the contrary, I found the compact galley well equipped, with a two-burner cooktop, an under-counter U-Line fridge/freezer/ice maker combo, and several well-thought-out features for stowing odds and ends. Beneath the sink is a slim cabinet that’s perfect for stashing serving trays, cutting boards, or the removable countertop sections that cover the sink and stove. And in the galley sole, there’s a 36”x17” hatch that opens into a 26-inch-deep space; extending several feet beneath the sole, the cavernous void is ideal for stowing bulky items. Another thoughtful touch is a bin for the trash can, recessed into the countertop just under the doorway to the bridge deck. However, I found it odd that the countertop does double duty here, serving as a top step of the stairway leading up to the bridge; it should at least have a pad of nonskid to avert a slip on a potentially wet surface.

PAGES:

1

2