Future Purchase 32 or 36 Luhrs

[Islandfly]

I have been looking closely at the Open 32 & 36 to determine which vessel would best meet my needs. Interested in getting opinions from members on the forum on the pros and cons and of course any significant issues with both. Primarly the vessel will be used to travel to the Florida Keys and the Bahamas with the family. I also do offshore charter work on a part-time basis. My concern is that I see alot of 32 Open's for sale here in Florida and very few 36's which leads me to think why are so many owner's selling their 32's.

Also in mind is the engines any comments on the diesels I have seen most of the 32's with catepillar / cummings / and yanmar. Year in question are 2000-2005.

Thanks,

Reyes (Indian Rocks Beach, Florida

[Rusty]

I have a 1999 - 32 open here in south Louisiana. I have had it for 4 years and everything is fine respectively.

Fishing Grounds - Snapper holes 45 miles offshore. Amberjack fishing 65 miles offshore. Wahoo, tuna, etc 95 miles offshore. You can see I have very long runs.

Engines - 2 - 330 hp cummings. Burn anywhere from 16 gallons per hour or less. Get right at 1 mile per gallon. Finally have pitched the props correctly to get out of the hole better. With full load of 6 people, fishing gear, ice, fuel, etc, I had a very bad problem with hole shots. Reduced pitch from 21"dia x 21 to 21" dia x 19 pitch. Made the world of difference.

Choice - If money is of no issue get the 36 ft. Obviously, upfront cost are one issue and fuel burn is another. Upkeep should be about the same with respect to service. This is our first larger boat. My next step up will definately be larger than 32 ft. More length more dollars!!

Sleeping - We have a friend with a 36 ft. open. There is more room for overnights. If you are going to the Bahamas and room is an issue, I would definately choose the 36 ft. We sleep in the 32 ft. without big issues.

Good Luck

Rusty

[Islandfly]

Rusty:

Thanks for the heads up! appreciate your input.

R. Reyes

[320Open]

I agree with reply above, I have a 01 32 open w/330 Cummins in So. Fl. I also pitched down to 21x20.
I do like the 32's center helm station vs. side helm, and would buy a 36 or 38, but realistically couldn t do anything new I cant do now.
We do a lot of long Island trips and is a great boat for that.
I had Yanmar on previous boat and Cummins maintenance is half the price and so much easier(try removing Yanmar aftercoolers vs. cummins)
Lots of 32s on market because that was Luhrs #1 seller for long time.
I see 5-6 32s for every 36 Open on the water around here.

good luck,

[Rusty]

Since you discussed changing aftercoolers on Yanmar versus Cummings I have a good maintenance story for you.

Two summers ago, returning from the last day of fishing without a catch, my starbord engine started overheating. We had just had the raw water pumps re-built. The Captain on the dock said good luck to me as I would start "chasing a ghost". The overheating problem would become evident at cruise rpm; however, no problem at low rpm or idle rpm.

The chase started with going back to the pumps and removing. They were Ok. Resumed chase with checking hoses, exchangers, etc. down the line. No luck!! Talked to mechanics and went through all items again. No luck!! Hauled the boat checked water intake. No luck!!

After spending the whole summer chasing the damn ghost we called in the pros. Mechanic retraced our steps the 1st day. No luck!! Mechanic started into the engine the 2nd day. No luck!! By now I am fit to be tied. The boat is 4 hours away from my town so you can understand the time and effforts expended by me.

I told cummings to get us their best man from where ever he may be. The first team quaterback showed up at the boat the 3rd day with the original mechanic at 7:00 am and fixed the problem by 7:30am. We were in route to the boat and he called our cell phone and told us to relax, problem solved!!

Problem: The first team quaterback entered the boat and asked the 1st mechanic if he had checked the raw water supply hose. Of course answered the 1st mechanic, their is good water flow. The quaterback stated by ckecking, he ment removing the hose and physical examination. That had not been done by me or the 1st mechanic, as we merely removed the hose and watched water flow through it.

Upon removing the hose, it is about 6 ft. long and runs under the engine from the fresh water cock to the pump, it was observed that the wires within the hose at the center position were bad and would allow the hose to collapse. At low rpm the hose worked fine. At high rpm the hose would collapse.

Easy fix however the fix cost me well over $2500.00. Conclusion is to take nothing for granted. Fully examine everything in complete detail.

Hope this story saves someone trouble down the line.

Rusty

[t.n.t.]

:dunno:Interesting story Rusty: Many owners never bother to "really" look or feel there hoses. Most wait until that moment of.. uh, steam is pouring out of the compartment or foul oder is present, with the temp gauge pinned !
:dupe:One story, I remember from 3 years back, was the gent that just got his big 42 footer repowered by the yard. Well came the weekend and friday night he was full throttle to the canyon. On sunday morning he was on the VHF trying to relay between boats to get back to land, to find out where the valve was to turn on his other fuel tank, as he was out of fuel !

[JMAS]

I own a 1987 340 express fish. Love the boat. Make trips to Bimini to fish and Freeport to party,err I mean fish.
Always stay on the boat whether on the hook or at a dock, sleeps 4 comfortably, 6 if you dont mind a camping trip:thumbdown:
2 454 gas engines (1995) but good running and I am able to do all maintinace myself. Not bad on fuel once you learn to not run wide open.
250 gal. fuel, 30 gal. freash water and Everything else you would need.

If I can swing it someday I would go for the 36, I love the lines on the late models.:)