Written By Jack Hornor

www.tiarayachts.com

In 1968, my roommate bought a new SS170V model Slickcraft runabout. I can still picture it today with its huge 6 cylinder, 100 hp Mercury outboard next to my 14' Sea Sprite with a 40 hp Johnson. I must admit I was envious of my friend's new boat. Assuming the name Slickcraft was chosen to emphasize the boat's clean lines and glossy finish, it wasn't until later that I learned the company was founded by Leon Slikkers. Even early on, it was clear Slickcraft literally and figuratively outshined the competition.

Mr. Slikkers sold Slickcraft in the early 1970s and founded S-2 Yachts Inc., the parent company of Tiara Yachts. S-2 was known more for sailboat than powerboat production, but in 1977, they introduced their first Tiara Yacht model, the 2500. Tiara now offers models to 50' and continues to build some of the best constructed and finest finished fishing boats and family cruisers. The Tiara 2900, currently the smallest model offered, was introduced in 1994.

The Tiara 2900 is marketed as a dual purpose cruising and fishing boat although, with its large open cockpit and limited cabin space, I think the design tends to favor the fisherman. The style of 2900 is commonly referred to as an open bridgedeck or express cruiser. It features cabin accommodations forward followed by the bridge or helm positioned over the engines and an open after cockpit for fishing, entertaining or relaxing.

The hull of the Tiara 2900 is constructed with a gel-coated surface followed by a layer of fiberglass mat and vinylester resin to prevent osmotic blistering. The bottom is laid up with a solid fiberglass laminate. The hull sides and decks utilize a balsa wood core between fiberglass laminates for weight reduction and stiffness. The deck and hull are joined with adhesive and stainless steel screws.

To their credit the builders have used bulkheads that are watertight between the hull and cabin soles to divide the boat into three separate compartments. Transverse and longitudinal stiffeners and motor mounts are laminated plywood encased in fiberglass. There are unsealed drain holes to allow water to drain from the compartments formed by these installations, which are my only serious cause for concern. Even a small amount of water can quickly damage and weaken this system. I strongly recommend sealing any holes.

The Tiara 2900's cockpit is over 6' long, nearly 10' wide and 29" deep. It provides plenty of space for anglers. The bridge deck is raised approximately 6" from the cockpit deck and features two back seats as standard equipment with the helm on the starboard side. The helm is very well laid out with plenty of room for added equipment.

One of the more sportfisherman-like features of the 2900 is a starboard transom door for landing that big fish in the cockpit. The door is well done and opens inboard, as it should, but I would prefer the builder offer this as an option and include more useful features for fisherman such as fish boxes, a saltwater wash down pump and rod holders as standard features. Optional flush mounted boxes that fit into deck hatches are available from Tiara for about $1,000.

The Tiara 2900 is almost evenly divided between cabin space and open cockpit. A fisherman will likely consider the accommodations downright luxurious while a cruiser will find them a little short on privacy. This probably means it's just about right for its dual-purpose intent.

There is a single cabin with a berth forward set at an angle slightly off centerline. The dinette is along the starboard side and also converts to a berth. The berth lengths are adequate but both are about 44" wide at their narrowest point, which makes them a bit tight for two adults. Along the port side is a small galley fitted with a single burner stove, microwave oven, stainless steel sink and a front-loading refrigerator. The head is aft along the port side with 20-gallon holding tank. There is a hot and cold-water shower, a 30-gallon fresh water tank and an additional 6-gallon water heater. This is a small supply but common for this size boat. Weekend or short cruising for four should be no problem, if privacy is not a concern.

Until the 2000 model year, the standard engine installation was the 250 hp, fresh-water-cooled Crusader gasoline engine or an optional 225 hp GM diesel. With the introduction of the 1995 model year, larger 320 hp Crusader gas engines were offered as an option and beginning with the 1998 model year the GM diesel option was replaced by a 250 hp Cummins.

With the standard engines, the Tiara 2900 will cruise at about 20 knots with a top speed of about 28 knots. Larger gas engines will add about 4 knots to both. For the coastal fisherman, particularly those who routinely run 60 miles or more offshore, the 200 gallon fuel capacity of the Tiara 2900 is on the short side. By comparison the Luhrs 290 and Grady White 300 both have 300 gallon fuel capacity. At cruising speed and allowing for a 10% fuel reserve, the range is about 250 miles with gas engines.

Article Source: Boat/US Magazine - May 2002 - FindArticles.com