As the 1980s neared, boat owners who wanted to move up to a 30-plus-foot express cruiser had a lot of options. One of the best offerings came from Tiara Yachts, founded in 1976 by Leon
Slikkers, who was a highly regarded, experienced builder.
Slikkers started his boatbuilding career at Chris-Craft in 1946 as an 18-year-old making cabin tops. In 1955, he formed SlickCraft to produce wooden family runabouts; the company converted to fiberglass construction by the end of the decade. In 1969 he sold SlickCraft to AMF, where he continued to serve as its president. He then founded S2 sailing yachts in 1974, and then Tiara.
In 1979, Tiara introduced the 3100 Open, which incorporated good looks, state-of-the-art construction and thoughtful human engineering. It featured a sharp, well-raked entry at the stem that flattened gradually along the 34-footer’s shallow keel to a point approximately two-thirds aft; the hull finished with 14 degrees of deadrise at the transom. A redesign in the early 1990s included a sharper entry, increased bow flare, prop pockets to reduce shaft angles and a transom deadrise of 18 degrees. Two pairs of lifting strakes and a pair of chines added lift to the 13,000-pound hull.
The 3100 Open had a beam of 12 feet—quite wide for its time—which allowed for walkable side decks with tall safety rails and a massive open cockpit abaft the helm. A radar arch could be fitted with protective canvas to enclose the entire cockpit. The tall, aft-raked windshield added style and gave the helmsman a clear forward view, even when sitting down. An electrically operated centerline window provided natural ventilation.
Four steps down, a centerline companionway led to an open-plan cabin that was furnished with teak built-ins and paneling. To port was an enclosed head compartment and a galley, which led forward to the bulkhead. To starboard was an electrical panel on the aft bulkhead and a convertible U-shaped settee and table for four people. The forward cabin included a large double berth and a hanging locker.
Standard power was a pair of 350-hp Crusader 454 gas inboards. The original fuel tanks held 196 gallons; they were enlarged to 246 gallons for the update. With 700 ponies, owners reported top speeds of just above 30 knots and a cruise near 20 knots. A pair of 410-hp MerCruiser 8.2-liter inboards were optional. Eventually diesels from Volvo, Caterpillar and Cummins were added as options as well.
Tiara is still privately owned and continues to be run by members of the Slikkers family. Leon Slikkers retired from Tiara in 2021 at 93 after 75 years in the boatbuilding business. Despite that, he continued to show up in the office.
June 2025
