I bought my first Luger powerboat in the Spring of 2005.  (05/05/05, to be exact.)  Please notice I call it "my first Luger powerboat", as though there may be others to follow.  (...because you never know.) 

It was someone else's "first Luger" 40 years earlier, when it was purchased as a boat kit from Luger Industries - then located in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  At the time, it cost it's first owner/builder about $400, including the shipping.  The cost of the Evinrude motor and trailer were extra.

But this is not my first Luger boat.  That distinction belongs to my 16' Leeward sloop.  She began my involvement with Luger Boats when I brought her home in 1998.

My Luger Sierra is one of five 16' runabout models that launched Luger Industries into the era of fiberglass kit boats.  First sold in 1959, these new "molded fiberglass" kits introduced thousands of backyard builders and garage craftsmen to the simplicity of fiberglass boat construction.  Luger sold this model, in five different deck and seating arrangements, for 10 years.  In 1969 Luger retired this model for other, more contemporary styles - but I prefer the classic lines of this little marvel.

The 16' Sierra,  Model F600-U2, was advertised in Luger catalogs as being, "...ideal for fishing, cruising and all-around fun." 

The forward walk-thru seat-backs allow ease of access as well as comfort, and the rear cockpit provides lots of open space to store gear or adapt to any use.  My Sierra arrived with a fold down bench-style seat in the cockpit.

My 16' Luger Sierra runabout was "won" on eBay, after a 7-day auction.  Two years ago I'd missed an opportunity to bid on an immaculate 1959 Luger Le'Continental (essentially the same boat, but with a different deck/seating arrangement).  It was a real beauty.  At the time, I didn't know how much I would want one - and by the time I did, it was too late.  When this pretty blue classic became available in a neighboring state, I didn't miss my second chance.

Along with the boat, the listing mentioned a trailer and Evinrude motor of uncertain HP and year.  As far as I was concerned, I was bidding on the boat ...and I considered the motor and trailer as lagniappe (a Cajun word meaning, "a little something extra"). 

When I met the seller to pick-up the boat, I was pleased to see everything in remarkably good shape for being 40 years old.  The hull was sound, with only a few blemishes.  Although the boat kit had been purchased in 1965, the kit was not completed until 1966.  The motor turned out to be a 33HP "Ski Twin" Evinrude of the same era (1966) - and it had been recently overhauled.  The seller included the original Evinrude gas tank, along with two 6-gallon plastic tanks.  Luger's original "Holsclaw" trailer was also in remarkably good shape, with Luger's metal tag still clearly affixed to the tongue.  The auction included some recent additions, too: marine battery, life jackets and a very nice custom-made Sunbrella boat cover. 

The seller was the boat's third owner, and he's helping me locate the original owner/builder.  It would be very nice to have more background on this boat, and after 40 years it should have a few interesting stories to tell.

There are some things that need to be fixed (the horns) and upgraded (flotation and seats), but she was ready-to-go the day I picked her up.  I can enjoy fishing and cruising with her while I attend to these details.  There aren't many things you can work on and still enjoy at the same time.