Both the Luhrs 28 Open 2009 and the Luhrs 41 Hardtop 2008 are deep-V designs, both built in fibreglass, so the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Luhrs 41 Hardtop 2008 measures 44,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 13,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Luhrs 28 Open 2009 at 31,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Luhrs 41 Hardtop 2008 tips the scales at 32 000 lbs - 22 000 lbs less than the Luhrs 28 Open 2009 at 10 000 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The Luhrs 41 Hardtop 2008 tops out at 645 hp. Engine specs for the Luhrs 28 Open 2009 aren't listed - confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Luhrs 41 Hardtop 2008 carries 600 gallons versus 300 gallons in the Luhrs 28 Open 2009. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Luhrs 41 Hardtop 2008 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Luhrs 28 Open 2009 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Luhrs 41 Hardtop 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Luhrs 41 Hardtop 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 13 passengers and at 44,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Luhrs 28 Open 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 9 that costs less to run day-to-day.