Tiara Yachts

Tiara Yachts is a boat manufacturer based in Holland, Michigan. Its models include both fishing and cruising boats ranging from 29–58 feet. The company is most famous for coining the term "open" to describe its Tiara 3100. Tiara has a sister company, known as Pursuit, that produces models from 25–34 feet with outboard engines.

History of Company

Tiara Yachts is known for building quality mid-sized luxury yachts. They have been committed to creating some of the world’s most highly rated yachts for the last four decades. This company is private and family owned and operated. According to their satisfied customers, they have passed down the same values of excellence from generation to generation.[1] The company’s founder, Leon Slikkers, owned and operated another yacht building company before he founded his second company, S2 Yachts (parent company to Tiara). Even before that, Slikkers worked at Chris Craft. Slikkers' next move in his career was owning and operating Slickcraft, which focused on building motor powered boats. In the late 1960s many large public yacht companies were looking to buy smaller companies in the interest of drawing new stock holders and diversifying their stock. A company based in New York, called American Machine and Foundry (AMF), gained interest in Slickcraft. In September 1969, Slikkers sold the company, while still holding his position as President. After a few years with this new company, Slikkers left claiming that they were not committed to the same level of excellence as he was. Slikkers then proceeded to leave AMF and Slickcraft behind to create a new company with his sons, which his family stills owns and operates today, S2 Yachts and all of its ‘child’ companies such as Tiara Yachts.[1] On February 18, 1974, S2 Yachts was founded. Shortly after S2 Yachts was founded, Slikkers’ two older sons finished college and joined their father at the company, offering both new perspectives and a commitment to excellence that their father has exhibited for all their lives. S2 began rolling sailboats off the lot almost right away, however, a few more years down the line Leon began to feel the same pressures as before. Fortunate for him, he had a larger company this time, more capital than before, and both his sons on his side. All these factors allowed S2 to gain momentum in this ever competitive industry, still able to remain a private company. In 1976, Leon decided that it was time for another change of pace within the company. These changes lead S2 Yachts to building motor yachts. As a result of the high sales of this new line of yachts, it was decided to create a totally new division in the company that would focus on motor yachts only. Tiara Yachts was incorporated. [2]

Reviews of Company/Products

Tiara Yachts has been widely well known and described by their costumers as a very respectable and reliable company within the boating community. The company has representation in the United States as well as worldwide to ensure that any customer, anywhere, will have the ability to purchase a Tiara Yacht. The company handles its own accounting, and thus exact pricing on a brand new Tiara is unavailable without talking with a representative. This is due to the fact that each Tiara Yacht is different based on what the prospective owner wants. However, used Tiara Yachts range from $189,000 to $449,000 based on several factors. For example, the yacht's model, year, location, condition, etcetera.[3] Owning a Tiara Yacht comes with many positive incentives. Tiara handles its own maintenance for their owners to ensure that the yachts are kept up in their best running and looking condition at all times. Additionally, these boats carry a very high value at resale since they are so sought after. This makes the boat a good investment for the future, assuming that the owner takes care of said boat. Tiara Yachts offers a wide variety of different models of boats to choose from, allowing customers to truly explore and search through many options in order to make the proper decision. Owning and especially purchasing a Tiara Yacht is not a little ordeal. For the average boater, these boats are well out of his or her price range. Like any boat, they require a lot of maintenance and upkeep. For example, the engines must be maintained, the boat must be cleaned, and the fridge and bar must remain stocked. Due to the company being private, very little information on the company is available on itself and the products that it offers. Through all the good and bad, Tiara still manages to be one of the leaders in this industry and most customers walk away knowing that they have made a good investment.[3]

Yachts offered by Tiara

Tiara offers four models of yachts, the Coronet, Open, Sovran, and the Convertible.

Coronet

The Coronet comes in three sub series, 3100, 3600, and 3900. The Coronet is a fairly new style presented by Tiara. It is designed as a day boat, which is meant to take the owner and several guest for a coastal cruise while enjoying its state of the art entertainment system or cocktails and snacks on the large open area aft of the boat. The interior is not designed to hold more than one couple comfortably for a one or two night stay. As said before, this boat is meant for day trips. Some of the highlights of this model are the seating for 20 guests, a small cabin for an overnight stay, and an outdoor grill.[4]

Open

The Open model comes in four series, the 3100, 3600, 3900, and the 4300. This model of boat by Tiara was originally designed with sports fishing in mind. However, Tiara decided to modify the design a bit in order to take the focus off the fishing and refocus it on just cursing around. When this boat is built with fishing in mind, all serious sport fishers will find it to be great partner and those interested in cruising will find it more relaxing due to a deep V-Shaped hull which provides a much smoother ride. This ship is designed with American influence and boasts great performance. Some of this boats highlights are its oversized cockpit, hardtop sunroof with side enclosures, several additional options to optimize boat for fishing or cruising.[4]

Sovran

The Sovran model comes with three series, the 3900, 4500, and 5800. Firstly, this Sovran model is generally bigger than the other models. This model is the built for luxury and pampering alone. The 5800 series is also the current flagship of the Tiara fleet. These models are built with the capabilities to keep several people on sea relaxing for days on end with family and friends. The Sovran model features the new ‘Pod’ propulsion system which allows for greater efficacy, maneuverability, and global positioning, unlike traditional fixed screw propulsion. Some more highlights of this model are the cockpit entertainment centers, large saloon, and spacious staterooms.[4]

Convertible

The Convertible model comes in only two models, 3900 and 4100. This model is built for two purposes alone, deep sea fishing and deep sea boating. She is also built to offer the intrepid fisherman the greatest possible living comforts on the high seas. The fly bridge offers a great view of the ocean so that a fisherman can have greater awareness of the area around him or her. Some of this models highlights are the large and spacious living areas below deck, integrated fishing materials, and is rigged and specifically designed for deep sea cruising.[4]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://jointarchives.org/quarter/fall05.pdf
  2. ↑
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Tiara Yacht Review | Models, Pros/Cons, Pricing, Bottom Line". Yachting.com. Retrieved 2014-01-15.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Tiara Yachts Family. (n.d.). Tiara Yachts. Retrieved April 15, 2013, from www.tiarayachts.com/

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