Honestly, finding a tiara open for sale that hasn't been absolutely thrashed by saltwater or neglected in a humid slip is harder than most people think. You see these listings on BoatTrader or YachtWorld, and the photos look pristine. Then you show up at the dock in Fort Lauderdale or Annapolis, and the "mint condition" gelcoat is chalky enough to write your name in it.
Tiara Yachts has this reputation for being the "thinking man's boat." They aren't as flashy as a Sea Ray and they aren't quite as "hardcore tournament" as a Viking, but they sit in that sweet spot of over-engineered Michigan craftsmanship. Leon Slikkers, the guy who started it all back in 1974 after leaving Chris-Craft, built these things to handle the Great Lakes—which, if you've ever been on Lake Michigan in October, you know is basically a washing machine of short, nasty chops.
What Actually Makes the "Open" Series Different?
If you're hunting for a tiara open for sale, you've probably noticed they look a bit different from your standard express cruiser. Most cruisers are all about the cabin. They've got tiny cockpits and massive living rooms downstairs. The Tiara Open flips that script.
The cockpit is massive. I mean, you could basically host a small wedding back there. It's a "fish-around" design that actually lets you move. But then you go below deck, and it’s all teak joinery and real leather. It’s the kind of boat where you can spend the morning trolling for tuna and the evening having a five-course dinner in a blazer.
Most people looking for a tiara open for sale are hunting for the 3100 or the 3900. These are the legends. The 3100 Open is basically the boat that built the company’s bank account. They made over 800 of the original version between 1979 and 1991. If you find one from that era, check the fuel tanks. They used aluminum tanks that can pit over forty years. Replacing those is a "pull the engines out" kind of job, which is a nightmare.
The 3100 Open: The Entry Point
The 31-footer is the one everyone wants. It’s big enough to handle a six-foot swell but small enough that you don't need a professional captain to park the thing.
- The Hull: The older ones (pre-1992) have a 14-degree deadrise at the transom. They’re stable as a rock at anchor, but they can be a bit "wet" in a head sea. You're going to use those wipers.
- The 1992 Redesign: Tiara sharpened the entry and bumped the deadrise to 18 degrees. It’s a much smoother ride. If you see a 1994 tiara open for sale for $80,000 and a 1990 for $45,000, that hull shape is a big reason why.
- Engine Choices: You’ll find them with twin 454 gas big blocks or Cummins/Volvo diesels. Gas is cheaper to maintain but thirsty. You’re looking at maybe 0.8 to 1.0 miles per gallon at a 22-knot cruise.
I’ve spent time on a 3100 in the Chesapeake, and what kills me is the engine access. They have this "day hatch" which is fine for checking oil, but if you actually need to change a raw water pump? You’re lifting the entire bridge deck with electric rams. It’s cool until the motor for the rams dies.
Moving Up to the 39 Open
If the 31 is a weekend toy, the 39 Open is a serious machine. It’s 41 feet 11 inches long if you count the pulpit. With a 15-foot beam, it feels like a literal tank on the water.
When you’re looking at a 39 tiara open for sale, you’re almost certainly looking at Cummins QSC8.3 engines. These are solid. At a 26-knot cruise, the boat just eats up the miles. One weird thing about the 39? The range. It’s got a 535-gallon fuel tank. If you pull back to 6.6 knots, the math says you can go 1,190 nautical miles. Not that anyone actually does that, but it's nice to know you could theoretically cruise to the Bahamas and back without sweating the fuel dock.
The "Hidden" Costs of a Used Tiara
Don't let the teak fool you. These are complex boats. If you find a tiara open for sale that’s been sitting in the sun, the first thing to look at is the cockpit upholstery. Tiara uses high-grade vinyl, but the sun is undefeated. A full cockpit re-cushioning job can easily run you $5,000 to $8,000.
Then there’s the moisture. Tiara balsa-cores their decks. It makes them light and stiff, but if a previous owner didn't re-caulk the stanchions or the windlass, water gets in. Once that balsa gets wet, it turns into mush. If you're walking on the foredeck and it feels "spongy," walk away. Or at least get a $20,000 credit, because that’s what a deck repair costs.
Why the Market Is Shifting in 2026
We're seeing a weird trend this year. The classic inboard tiara open for sale is becoming a "purist" boat. Tiara themselves have moved heavily into outboards with their LS (Luxury Sport) and LE (Luxury Express) series.
While a 2026 Tiara 34 LS with triple Mercury 400s is incredibly fast—we’re talking 50+ mph—it doesn't have that "salty" feel of the old Open series. The outboards take up the swim platform area. If you’re a diver or a serious fisherman, you might actually prefer the 20-year-old inboard model over the brand-new $600,000 outboard version.
Critical Checklist for Buyers
Before you sign anything on a tiara open for sale, do these three things:
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- Hire a SAMS or NAMS Surveyor: Don't use the guy the broker recommends. Find your own. They need to moisture-test the hull and the stringers.
- Check the Exhaust Risers: On the Cummins diesels, the exhaust risers are a known maintenance item. If they leak, they drop saltwater directly into the turbo. That’s a "new engine" kind of problem.
- Look at the Wiring: Tiara’s factory wiring is legendary—bundled, labeled, and clean. If you open the helm and it looks like a "spaghetti mess" of aftermarket electronics, it’s a sign the boat hasn't been maintained by pros.
Basically, a Tiara is a Cadillac on the water. It’s heavy, it’s thirsty, but it will get you home when the weather turns ugly. You’ve just gotta make sure the "deal" you found isn't a project boat in disguise.
Actionable Next Steps
If you're serious about getting a tiara open for sale, start by narrowing down your "mission." If it's just day trips and the occasional overnight for two, the 3100 is your best bet. If you want to cross to the islands with four people, look at the 39 or even the 41.
Check the "sold boats" data on sites like YachtWorld to see what they’re actually selling for, not just the asking price. Usually, there's a 10-15% gap. Once you find a candidate, get an engine survey specifically for the diesels—it’s a separate cost from the hull survey, but on a boat this age, it’s the most important money you’ll spend.