[polarbill1999]

HI all, my name is Brett and my family is from the Puget Sound area.  My father isn't much of a "forum person" but I am.  My mother and father are downsizing and just sold their 42 Ocean Alexander. They are in the process of submitting an offer on a 2000 3500 open.  Originally they looked at a 3700 and were considering up to 4100s.  Whatever they end up with, and I will update this post.  We have all admired Tiara Opens for their good looks, quality build and simplicity (as compared to a flybridge sedan like the OA they just sold).  The OA only had an up station with ladder and with my parents getting up their in age, it didn't make sense.  They wanted to move to something with a single station and more or less a single level, at least stairs as opposed to ladders  My parents are longtime members of Queen City Yacht Club and my father is a past commodore.  They used/will use their yacht as a condo in the city as well as to cruise Puget Sound, the San Juans and BC.  Their favorite cruising destination is Tofino and the other areas of the West Cost of Vancouver Island.  Their moorage is on Portage Bay (lake union/lake washington).

I did have a couple of questions although maybe they would be better asked in individual threads.  I will start here though.  If I should in another thread(s) please let me knw.

The boat they are putting an offer on is a 2000 3500 open with a bit over 1000 hours on 7.4L Crusaders.  The listing says they are 350hp.  They did view the boat and the overall condition is excellent.  

• What are the common things to look at on Tiara Opens?  3500s specifically?
  
• The boat as the build in rear seat but after looking at pics of one that doesn't it looks like you could swap out the rear seat for more open cockpit space.  Does anybody know if Tiara can still build that standard hatch/piece to get rid of the seat.  
  

I will include a pic of the Ocean Alexandar they just sold.

   

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Sorry, should have read the sticky post at the top. I will ask the motor related questions in the gas/motors thread.

[Sans Peur]

Nice OA. Welcome to the forum. I am sure someone will know about the 3500. I have a 41 Open (for sale by the way) with Cats and a 50 Open (only 7 made) with Cats as well. Ask about a 41 and I will help with anything I can.

Tiara is a great boat. That's why I bought a second.

[polarbill1999]

Nice OA. Welcome to the forum. I am sure someone will know about the 3500. I have a 41 Open (for sale by the way) with Cats and a 50 Open (only 7 made) with Cats as well. Ask about a 41 and I will help with anything I can.

Tiara is a great boat. That's why I bought a second.

My father was considering flying out to Detroit to look at the 41 there.  I think they decided the 41 was bigger than they wanted.  It would hardly be a downsize from the Ocean Alexander.  If something changes I will reach out.

[trit21]

I have owned my 2000 3500 for 10 years now and give you a lot of insight on the boat. Although Tiara is a great boat, they didn't quite seal the thru hulls very well at all. Be on the look out for water any place there is a thru hull, including rod holders, scuppers, windlass area. The fuel door inside the cockpit was also filled with balsa core and I had to cut mine apart and refill as it was getting water inside. Also did both area where rod holders are installed on gunwales, neither was a fun job but had to be done.

Grounding issues are fairly prevalent on this boat as well. From battery connections in the bilge but more so behind the helm. After age connections get loose and cause erratic behavior with gauges and alarms.

I can't comment on the gas engines as I have Cummins diesels in mine. Whatever you do get a good survey both engine and hull, basic survey.

If you have any additional questions do not hesitate to email me here or post on this thread. I don't visit very often but I will help with whatever you have questions about.

Apart from area of concern mentioned above, they are great boats.

[Maxwell]

Coming from an OA, I think they'll find the quality to be a step up. However assuming the OA was diesel powered, he may be disappointed with gas engines. At 21.5K lbs dry, the 35 open isn't a lightweight boat and although it's likely well balanced like the other opens I've run, I would miss the torque of diesel engines around the dock.

Max

[polarbill1999]

Coming from an OA, I think they'll find the quality to be a step up.  However assuming the OA was diesel powered, he may be disappointed with gas engines.  At 21.5K lbs dry, the 35 open isn't a lightweight boat and although it's likely well balanced like the other opens I've run, I would miss the torque of diesel engines around the dock.

Max

Where does the 21.5K number come from.  From all the things I saw on 3500 Open's for sale the weight is more like 14-16K.  I would expect on the lighter side with gas motors and no generator.  I see the 3500 express comes in at ~21.5K.

[Maxwell]

Where does the 21.5K number come from.  From all the things I saw on 3500 Open's for sale the weight is more like 14-16K.  I would expect on the lighter side with gas motors and no generator.  I see the 3500 express comes in at ~21.5K.

My mistake... I had quick googled it and first site I saw (boats.com) had the displacement listed not the weight.  

Max

[polarbill1999]

Thanks Maxwell. The OA did have 3208 375hp cats. I share the concern, although I don't have a vote since it isn't my money. I think my father likely has some hesitation but I think he is ok with it. He would be fine cruising at 12 knots and I doubt he will push any motor very hard. He isn't in that big of hurry (I guess retirement does that) and he just thinks it is unsafe in Puget Sound. There is too much of a worry of deadheads/logs to where you have to be on point, paying attention the entire time you cruise if doing it in the 25 knot range. My guess is they will likely do ~10 day cruises a year, a couple weekend cruises and maybe 1 longer 1 week+ cruise a year. I would guess they probably only put on 100 hours a year on the boat/motors.

He also just spend a ton of money working on the heads of one of his 3208's. I think he spent the equivalent of buying a pair of fresh 454s.

[Misdirection]

I have an older 36 Open with carbed 7.4's. It's not underpowered with gassers and has great handling around the dock. It does like the fuel dock though.

Sent from my SM-A505U using Tapatalk

[Maxwell]

I don't want to talk you out of a boat as I have really enjoyed our Tiaras as they do a good job of meeting our current boating needs and think their build quality as well as factory support is above others in their class. That being said, I generally spend a few weeks per year boating with a friend in the PNW and I'm not sure that a 35 Open (or any fast boat for that matter) would be on my list. When he first moved there, he bought a 40 Sea Ray that we took everywhere form Olympia to Vancouver to Ucluelet and everywhere in between (based out of Elliott Bay, now moved to Shilshole). While it was nice getting places fairly quickly, traveling at 25kts, with all of the dead heads/debris in the area, felt like playing a game of russian roulette with the running gear. Along with this, the variable weather in the PNW even in summer, along with being able to boat year round if you want, most express boats don't live extremely well with all the canvas and lack of living area topside. He has since upgraded to a full displacement Nordhavn 43 (without the bridge). I spend most of my boating life at 29kts in our 42 Open and was unsure how I'd feel about running a 7kt boat. While it now takes substantially longer to get to places and you need to time the tides in some areas, the boat is extremely efficient, lives well underway or at anchor and the voyage has become part of the destination. If I had more time (was retired), I would likely focus my search on full or semi-displacement boats with a good inverter system and diesel heat for that area.

Below is a link to my friend's youtube page that you may find of interest. They generally upload weekly videos and along with highlighting some of the cruising destinations in your area, they do a good job of explaining what they do and don't like in a boat for that area as well as talking through their buying decision process etc.

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Good luck with your/their search!!

Max