Long recognized as a reputable builder with high standards of quality and customer focus, Tiara Yachts builds several series of boats. The venerable Open Series has been a hit with boaters for years due to their simplicity, functionality and robust construction.

The cruising world has benefited from the innovative Sovran Series-a highly stylized boat with a well-defined layout for liveaboard cruising.And now, the folks at Tiara have once again entered the convertible fishing boat market, introducing the all-new 3900 this past fall.

The 3900 was in the planning stages for several years, and was scheduled to be introduced two years ago. However, after building the tooling and the first boat, the folks at Tiara were not satisfied with some of its seakeeping and handling characteristics. It wasn't so much an issue with major ride deficiencies, but several subtle items just didn?Ĵt meet the standards the Slikker family set for their products.

So they did what few builders would have done-they scraped the hull and started over, and changed certain aspects which they didn?Ĵt like and developed the current genesis of the 3900.

I've had the chance to run the 3900 factory-demo several times including a few days in December out of Stuart, Florida to target sailfish. I also ran the boat in the Buccaneer Cup Sailfish Tournament in January from Singer Island, Fla. in some really lousy weather. I kept reminding myself that this boat was only 39 feet. It's interior is so well laid out, that there is more than enough room for a family to liveaboard and travel in comfort. The bridge, cockpit and engineroom are also well thought out. The construction is so well executed that not once in the three consecutive days of fishing offshore with winds at times exceeding 30 knots, did we bust out a screwdriver to tighten a loose screw. In my line of work, I get on a lot of company demo boats and to be able to fish that hard without fixing something is noteworthy.

There is a lot to like about the 3900, but what I like most are the handling characteristics, helm setup, and engineroom layout. With an overall length of 39 feet without its pulpit, the boat sports a 14-foot, 5-inch beam, which is beamy for the length. The beam allows the engines to be spread apart, creating a positive scenario for good maneuvering, either on fish or in docking situations. This beam to length ratio also creates a very workable, open and accessible engine room. The inherent spread of the running gear is a natural aid in the boats ability to turn, spin and even back up straight. Matched with the proper rudders, the boat can back around through a slalom course by using the wheel and adding a little throttle-a sure sign of a good handling boat, provided the driver uses the wheel when going in reverse.

The 3900's wide beam allows for a spacious cockpit for serious fishing.

The 3900's console and helm pod setup are laid out much like that of a custom sportfish?Įa nice feature. Too often, the steering wheel and single lever controls are not positioned at the right height relative to each other, creating an uncomfortable feel, especially when backing around, fighting fish or docking. Tiara's engineers have done an excellent job of laying out an ergonomic helm with all the essential and some not so essential operating equipment, within arms reach of the operator.

Visibility from the helm allows a full view of the bow and transom corners. I was able to easily monitor my anglers and the line coming off the spool as they dropped back to sailfish. The bridge also has good seating just forward of the console with storage underneath. There is more storage to starboard of the helm under the companion dash.

During the BUCC tournament, my deckhands, Jeff Stone and Ben Brownlee were both able to move about the cockpit deploying our baits and dredge teasers along with our two anglers standing at the ready. The molded- in transom livewell held six-dozen tinker mackerel and threadfin herring with no problem, while offering convenient access to the bait. All of their rigging equipment including lead weights, wax line, knives, rigging needles, extra pre-made rigs, leaders and spare wind-on leaders were conveniently stored in the drawers of the well laidout tackle center. A bait freezer carrying our mullet and ballyhoo is built-in along the cockpit bulkhead outboard to port. Outboard of the saloon entrance, Tiara has designed more tackle storage for five large Plano organizer boxes. Indeck fish boxes and lazarette access round out this well-appointed cockpit.

Our demo boat was equipped with a pair of Cummins QSC8.3 540 HP diesels that pushed the 3900 along fine even loaded with gear. Similar to a traveling crew, we easily carried everything we needed on our trip. Even in the nasty conditions, we cruised 20 to 23 knots without getting beaten up. On nicer days she cruises at 25.5 knots at 2200 rpm, and she is very quiet while running and trolling.

The 3900's galley is tucked one step down from the saloon area. Light is plentiful.

The interior of the boat is as nice as any on the water in her class. The master stateroom is forward, along with roomy guest quarters to port. Built-in bunks fill out the the guest quarters nicely. Approaching from the galley you'll also find a large head and shower on the port side. The galley is one step down from the saloon. The saloon has two L-shaped settees, one along the aft bulkhead wrapping around to port and another along the starboard side wrapping around the front bulkhead. She comes complete with flatscreen TV and stereo.

Tiara has produced a solid boat in the 3900 that they and any owner can be very proud of. She's a solid riding, practical performing rig that as we found out during our winter fishing in sailfish alley was fully capable of fishing side-by-side with boats much larger.

The 3900 is an excellent handling, well-built boat, that performs. She will be equally at home cruising the Great Lakes or running to the Bahamas. Her fishability and cruising amenities, serve a dual role and defines a true convertible. For more information contact: Tiara Yachts, (866) 883-3714; www.tiarayachts.com.