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The bridge deck is elevated,
as is common in fishing boats,
to enhance visibility
and prevent shipped water from intruding into the control area and cabin.
Regardless of their nautical predilections, all owners will love the 3800’s
engine access: The entire bridge deck–seats, built-ins, and all–raises
electrically to a span of 2'6". (A small day hatch is available for daily
maintenance checks.) Typical of Tiara’s commitment to finish, drains
for this large module are concealed inside a two-piece molding. Below,
there’s two feet between each Cummins diesel engine and the hull
(solid glass below the waterline, balsa-cored above), unless you order
the Glendinning CableMaster, whose collector bin occupies most of the
aft starboard side. The optional 8-kW hushboxed Onan sits fully aft, accessible
on three sides. Notable here is the unique Tiara engine mounting system,
which uses brass pins or "toggles" passing through the plywood
"Tech-Lam" engine beds to secure the live engine mounts, a system
the builder claims is more positive and less prone to misalignment.
With the 3800’s
bridge deck down, there’s room for a crew of anglers or a family
of cruisers. To port is a five-person, L-shape settee, which with the
insertion of a forward filler becomes a comfortable lounge. Four shallow
drink holders and a large Plexiglas chart compartment occupy the forward
bulkhead. To starboard the helm seat, with standard electric fore/aft
adjustment, offers room for the captain and at least one mate. Abaft this
seat is a stowage cabinet that can be ordered with an icemaker. Thanks
to the deck’s elevation, visibility while either standing or seated
is excellent, enhanced by a distortion-free, curved glass windshield that
is contained in a unique composite frame designed and constructed by Tiara.
Mirroring the engine hatch design, the entire instrument console tips
forward for easy electronics installation.
The 3800’s owner
has almost as much opportunity to express him- or herself inside as outside.
While only one layout is offered–big V-berth stateroom forward, head
with separate shower, compact galley to port, and large U-shape settee
to starboard–there are plenty of choices, and they won’t all
be decided according to whether you fish or cruise. Carpet is standard,
but most boats will no doubt have the teak and holly sole found on our
test boat, a feature that’s become something of a Tiara trademark.
(Solid teak is also available.) The standard interior woodwork is traditional
teak, but our boat had the optional honey ash veneer interior, which I
preferred. Other options include two AM/FM stereo/CD units and a TV that
mounts on an innovative turntable so it can be viewed from either the
saloon or the stateroom.
Of course, anglers and
cruisers alike are attracted by performance, and here there are only two
choices: 450-hp Cummins or 435-hp Caterpillars. While the minor difference
in horsepower is unlikely to substantially affect your performance results,
note that the Caterpillars are V-8s while the Cummins are in-line sixes,
so there will be some difference in engine room space. Either way, expect
good seakeeping from the modified-V hull form, which on test day provided
a dry, smooth ride in small to moderate seas. More impressive to me was
the solidity of the ride, testament to Tiara’s tab-and-slot method
of affixing virtually every major interior component, far superior to
simple glues or screws.
With a brand-new hull
with prop pockets, cambered and curved transom, shapely engine air intakes,
and composite windshield, the 3800 represents the latest evolutionary
step at Tiara–what some in the company informally call the third
generation. But in terms of design flexibility, quality, and superior
fit and finish, this Tiara is completely conventional. Indeed, she represents
not only the heart of the lineup but also in many ways the soul of her
builder.
Tiara Yachts
(616) 392-7163. Fax: (616) 394-7466. www.tiarayachts.com.
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