TIARA C39 COUPE Impressive style, performance and comfort highlight this new offering from a veteran builder BY PETER A. ROBSON eon Slikkers founded what was to become Tiara Yachts more than 60 years ago. He became one of the first boat builders to use fibreglass. Over the years his passion for the craft earned his family-owned company a reputation as one of North America's top quality powerboat manufacturers. Today, the Slikkers family's Michigan-based company operates under the banner of S2 Yachts. The brand includes both the Tiara and Pursuit lines of powerboats. Tiara is doing very well with its recent IPS-powered Coupe series, which includes the C39 reviewed here. The three coupe models represent a new generation of Tiaras designed to combine modern styling with quality construction and engineering. The C53 was introduced in 2013 and the C44—which won the AIM award for best powerboat in the 40 to 50-foot category—was introduced in late 2014 (see review in PY, March 2015). The C39 Coupe was introduced in 2016 and it follows the lead set by its larger siblings. All three are solid, well-built, well-performing yachts. DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION The C39 hull is based on Tiara's successful 36 Open hull, which was said to provide a confident ride in any conditions. It has a sharp entry and traditional strakes with chines modified slightly to adapt to the Volvo-Penta pod drives. It is interesting to note that when pod drives first appeared on the market, their compact design allowed engines to be placed further aft than with shaft drives. This opened up more accommodation/storage space. The problem was that doing so moved the centre of gravity further aft and as a result, performance often suffered, making it more difficult to get

onto the plane. Tiara was one of the first builders to utilize pod drives, yet their engines are located in pretty well the same location as they would be with shaft drives. The C39 hull is hand-laid, with a solid fibreglass bottom and balsa-cored hull sides. Balsa is also used to core the deck and house. The stringers are built with foam cores with a wood skin, then glassed over and to the hull bottom. There is debate over the advantages and disadvantages of balsa versus synthetic coring materials, but Tiara firmly believes that in most cases, balsa is the best core material when used above...

the linear galley with Corian countertops, two-burner cooktop, convection microwave, two drawer-type fridge/freezer units and an overhead dish cabinet. A 28-inch flat screen TV is hidden behind the cabinet and simply pulls out when needed. The helm station is spacious and its layout is exceptionally clean—almost minimalist—with dual 12-inch Garmin/Volvo glass cockpit screens that do the usual multi-function tasks and monitor and control many of the ship’s systems. The joystick and remote control for the glass cockpit are well placed so that the outside edge of the driver’s hand can rest comfortably...

The bed hinges up to reveal a very large storage area. The head has a raised sink, Vacuflush toilet and separate shower stall with a glass door. The full-width guest stateroom is aft, accessed from the port side and tucked mostly under the saloon, with good headroom at its entrance (with a skylight—and removable cover—to the saloon above), then about four feet of headroom elsewhere. A linear settee against the hull can double as an extra berth. Overall, the fit and finish inside and outside of the 39 was excellent. The hardware and fixtures were all top quality and the flooring was solid without...