Tiara 3100 vs Tiara 3300

[4000]

Is anybody familiar with either of these boats? I think I've read somewhere that the 3300's deadrise at the stern is somewhere around 14 degrees . . . but I wonder how the entire hull is shaped and if anybody has any "sea" experience on either of these boats. I can't seem to get any "info" on the older boats on Tiara's website.

[jkent17]

What year boats are you looking at?

[djcxxx]

The year of the boat matters a lot because the 31 hull was redesigned for the 1992 model year. The hull deadrise was deepened along with a number of other changes. Can't tell you too much about the 33. There is a compendium of boat data called Powerboat Guide which gives some of this basic information along with significant model year changes. It would be worth checking into. Sometimes Boat US or West Marine have them.

[LEN]

Fished a few times on an 80's something 33. I liked the typically nice and beamy interior and it also had a very workable cockpit for fishing although it needs a mid-cockpit rocket launcher. I didn't like having to face the helmsman when sitting in the bridge. This one had gassers which made it an 18 knot boat -- not good for any boat IMO. It's the only 33 Tiara I've ever seen.

[4000]

We were thinking about something in the mid-90's or later for both the 3100 and 3300.

[jkent17]

I own a 1990 3100 Open and love it.

However, it is quite a wet ride and doesn't ride that well in a short chop.

In 1992, the re-designed the hull, added 2 degrees of deadrise aft to make it 18 Degrees and modified the entry and bow flare.

I've run a number of post 1992 3100's and they do seem to ride a little better, I still think it's sort of a wet boat though.

The 3300, '88-'97 has a 14 degree deadrise is a considerably harder ride in choppy conditions, but I had offshore off St Simons Island in some pretty heavy seas, I'd say 5'-6', and it didn't seem much different than my early 3100. The 3300 had the same hull throughout it's production run.

The 3300 is set up more for the cruising market. The 3100 has always been designed as a fishing platform, but my girlfriend and I cruise it quite comfortably. It would be nice if both had a little larger head.

Still, I think they are both great boats. If you're not a hard-core fisherman, and don't run in bad weather a lot, I like the 3300 for the added room and the extra bunk/setee.

Happy cruising.

[John F.]

I have a friend with a 2004 31 Tiara. Great riding boat. We've fished it on the Chesapeake Bay, and out to the canyons (barely enough fuel), and the boat did great in all weather. If you're looking at a 31, get the new hull (I think 92 or later). Deeper v and prop pockets.

I almost bought a 33--my wife liked it alot more than our/my current boat. Only about a 14 degree v--more of a cruiser. Never got as far as the sea-trial. The seller got another contract just before we were going to write ours (one of the happiest days of my life). The 33 seems considerably roomier in the cabin, but both boats have really nice interiors.