Tiara Yachts
Tiara Yachts is a boat manufacturer based in Holland, Michigan. Its models include both fishing and cruising boats ranging from 31–53 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 25–39 feet with outboard engines.
History of company
Tiara Yachts is known for building mid-sized luxury yachts.[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. 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]
Yachts offered by Tiara
Tiara offers five series of yachts, the Q Series, Tiara Series, Convertible Series, Flybridge Series, and the Coupe Series.
Q Series
The Q Series is currently available in a single model, the Q 44. The Q Series is marketed as an "adventure yacht" for day boating.[3]
Tiara Series
The Tiara Series is available in four models, the 31, 36, 39, and the 43. The Tiara Series is designed as an open coupe for day boating.[3]
Convertible
The Convertible Series is available in two models, the 39 Convertible, and the 48 Convertible. The Convertible Series is designed as a sport fishing/cruising yacht.[3]
Flybridge
The Flybridge Series is available in two models, the F 44 and the F 53. The Flybridge Series is the flybridge version of the Coupe Series.[3]
Coupe
The Coupe Series is available in three models, the C 39, C 44, and the C 53. The Coupe Series is designed as a cruising yacht.[3]
References
- http://jointarchives.org/quarter/fall05.pdf
- Archived August 9, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
- Tiara Yachts Family. (n.d.). Tiara Yachts. Retrieved April 15, 2013, from www.tiarayachts.com/