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Random Quote: Justice is often measured in calibers
Been looking at the Tiara 31 opens and was wondering if anyone had numbers on fuel consumption /range. I've seen them with 350 gassers and 315 deisels. Any idea on optimum power and range? I realize they're typically a cruiser but the few out there with a short tower and rigged for fishing appear to be bad to the bone IMHO. Wanting a "canyon runner or pocket sportfisher" to run 80-100 miles out/troll and back.
How much fuel do they hold? If you're looking to go 80-100 miles out and troll I'm not sure gas engines are even an option, you may not have the range. On those trips you're normally heavily loaded with gear and ice and fuel consumption will increase, add rough seas and it will get worse.
The Tiara 31 open only holds 246 gallons of fuel.
That would knock out gas engines immediately, and still make diesels a white knuckle ride on the return trip for the trips you're talking about. There's nothing worse than running out of fuel.
Nice boat, though.
Good article on the 3100 in the recent issue of Soundings Magazine. Check the decks real close where the transom seat attaches to the floor. Many remove the seat and most Tiara's I looked at were rotted around the through bolt locations.
I looked at one last summer with twin Volvos and a full tower. Older hull with new power. The owner was a six-pack Capt. and he runs the canyon regularly. He packs and extra drum of fuel with a manual pump for transfer.
If you don't mind slowing down just a bit look at a Albin 32. Single diesel, most post 97 boats will be about 370hp & it has a 240gal of fuel to suck on. Go 100 miles out with plenty fuel to spare, much more cabin space, a raised bridge, good boat in a sea.
I looked at the Tiara 31 about a year ago and spoke with a broker from Tiara's south Florida dealer, Allied Marine. He was very knowledgable and honest and has been selling Tiaras for over 10 years. These are the figures he gave me on the Tiara 31.
The 7.4L Crusader at 320 hp cruised at 22 knots and burned 28-30 gph.
The 8.1L Crusaders at 385 hp cruised at 26-27 knots and burned 36-38 gph.
The Cummins 330 hp diesels cruised at 26-28 knots and burned only 24-25 gph. But they cost $ 30,000 extra new.
He did say down here in south Florida used gas Tiaras are hard to sell and can take up to a year to get rid of. He said they sell about 80 % of the new 31's with diesels.
They are nice boats but I noticed run alittle bow high for me and are kinda slow for my tastes.
Florid Dan which direction did you end up going? I'm not strictly looking at these they just have eye appeal to me. Just no trawlers (sorry doug). Love the look of these:http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/9/2/65997692.htm
Dunc thats a nice looking Tiara with that half tower but 1123 hrs, holy smokes thats alot of hours even for a diesel. From what I have read one can only expect about 1500 hrs from todays high performance diesel engine before it needs a rebuild.
Yes I'm sure there's plenty of diesel boat owners here ready to tell me they've got 3000 hours and still going strong but I would rather use the lower number in my budget. I am not sure if that model Cummins can be rebuilt either, or if its more economical to just toss it and replace it with a new engine.
When it comes to selecting a boat, as simple as it sounds I think you have to first decide how you're going to be using the boat most of the time. Then write down the 2 or 3 things you HAVE TO HAVE and then pick the boat satisfying all of the above. And of course take a test ride but even after this you're going to get some surprises.
Case in point, I took a test ride on a World Cat 27 with diesel stern drives at last weeks Miami Boat Show. I first discovered small diesels in a planning cat don't work in my opinion, that cat was a dog ! I also was surprised by the degree of hull slap I felt at slow speed. Others might not be bothered by it, but I was.
I now feel speed is more important to me than dragging around all that heavy cabin a Tiara has and only chugging along at 25 mph using alot of gas. And with all the outboard engine manufacturers introducing more powerful and fuel efficient engines that looks like the best way for me to go.
Looking for a boat is a fun and sometimes frustrating process, we shall see what I end up with.
Dunc, Albin built their reputation on trawlers but the 32 ain't no trawler. 18kts on a single is not trawler speed. Albin has been producing fishing boats for 15 years. A more traditional looking one is a 31. All are diesel powered.
Just my opinion, but 1100 hours on a pair of Cummins are nothing. Shoot, I've got 1100 hours on my 1986 Merc 454's. These should last at least another 400 hrs before I even have to do a valve job. After that, I'd expect to see at least another 500 hrs of use before I need to re-power.
Dunc, this is your neighbor. Be sure and check the draft, as our canal is not very deep at times. I should be there this weekend and I'll show you routes I use. Sounds like a nice boat
(go diesel), I do need a neighbor with a bigger boat.
Tiara 31 Open 
Hope this helps a little. 
