Builder · Luxury · Holland, Michigan

Tiara Yachts

Michigan luxury sport-yacht builder, founded 1955 (as Slickcraft, later S2 Yachts). Family-owned across three generations. Premium build quality across the express, sport-yacht, and LS center-console lines.

Founded: 1955
Headquarters: Holland, Michigan
Ownership: Private (Slikkers family)
Tier: Luxury
Website: tiarayachts.com

Tiara builds premium sport yachts and center consoles from Holland, Michigan under the parent company S2 Yachts. The Slikkers family has owned the company since 1955 and the build quality and resale floor reflect a small-volume, family-controlled operation that has not chased market share.

Tiara competes against Sabre and Back Cove in the sport-yacht segment and against Boston Whaler 405 in the center-console flagship segment. Predominantly Volvo Penta IPS or Mercury V12 600 outboard rigging on the larger platforms.

Lineup

Current platforms.

EX series (EX42 / EX52 / EX60)

Express cruisers, 38 to 60 feet
LS series (LS38 / LS48)

Open day boats, 38 to 48 feet
LX series (LX38 / LX42 / LX54)

Center-console flagships, 38 to 54 feet

Model breakdown

Each platform, what it does and where it falls short.

Tiara Yachts EX series (EX42 / EX52 / EX60)

EX is the express cruiser line. Twin Volvo IPS or Cummins inboard, full master stateroom, premium fit-and-finish.

Things we like

· Heritage Tiara express-cruiser build at segment top
· Volvo IPS option simplifies docking on flagship hulls

Things we don't

· Volvo IPS 600 sail-drive on 2017 to 2020 EX42 hulls had a recurring seal-leak pattern
· Pricing competes with Sabre and Back Cove at equivalent LOA

Tiara Yachts LS series (LS38 / LS48)

LS is the open day-boat line. Twin Volvo IPS, open helm with hardtop, family-friendly cockpit.

Things we like

· Open day-boat layout for Great Lakes entertaining
· Volvo IPS rigging simplifies docking

Things we don't

· 2019 to 2021 LS50 hardtop hardware showed corrosion in salt-heavy markets
· Open layout limits weather-protected use

Tiara Yachts LX series (LX38 / LX42 / LX54)

LX is the center-console flagship line. Quad Mercury V12 600 outboards or Volvo IPS, full forward cabin, mezzanine seating.

Things we like

· Mercury V12 600 quad-outboard rigging on flagship hulls
· Center-console layout with Tiara fit-and-finish

Things we don't

· Pricing pushes into HCB and Pursuit S 408 territory
· LX38 (2019 to 2020) had a livewell plumbing complaint surfaced on owner-mechanic forum threads

Buyer's guide

The Tiara Yachts story and what to know on the used market.

Origin and ownership

Tiara was founded in 1955 by Leon Slikkers as Slickcraft. The brand evolved into S2 Yachts and Tiara across decades. The Slikkers family has owned the company throughout, across three generations.

Production has stayed in Holland, Michigan, single-site. The brand's volume has stayed moderate, which keeps build discipline tight and supports the resale floor.

S2 Yachts (the parent) also owns Pursuit (premium offshore center consoles). The two brands share parts and dealer infrastructure in many markets.

Design philosophy

Tiara hulls use moderate-V planing form on the EX and LS lines. The LX center-console flagship uses sharper-V form for offshore use.

Volvo Penta IPS pod-drive and Mercury V12 600 outboard are the dominant rigging options across the larger platforms.

Terminology you should know

EX series: Express cruiser line, 38 to 60 feet. Twin Volvo IPS or Cummins inboard.
LS series: Open day-boat line, 38 to 48 feet. Twin Volvo IPS.
LX series: Center-console flagship line, 38 to 54 feet. Quad Mercury V12 600 outboards or IPS.
S2 Yachts: The Slikkers family parent company that owns Tiara and Pursuit.

Used-market notes and known issues

Volvo IPS 600 sail-drive on 2017 to 2020 EX42 hulls had a recurring seal-leak pattern. Factory issued an inspection bulletin.

2019 to 2021 LS50 hardtop hardware showed a corrosion pattern in salt-heavy markets.

Center-console LX38 (2019 to 2020) had a livewell plumbing complaint surfaced on owner-mechanic forum threads. Factory fix available.

Boutique dealer network, concentrated in the Great Lakes, Florida, and the Northeast. Small but professional. Parts supply through factory direct.

Resale

Tiara resale is among the strongest in the luxury sport-yacht segment. Three-year depreciation runs 10 to 15 percent on clean EX hulls. Five-year depreciation runs 20 to 25 percent. Small build volume and brand-loyal buyer pool support the floor.

Where Tiara Yachts fits

Buyers cross-shop Tiara against Sabre and Back Cove on the boutique sport-yacht segment, and against Boston Whaler 405 and Pursuit S 408 on the center-console flagship segment. The argument for Tiara is the family-held build, the resale floor, and the Great Lakes-bred saltwater capability. Buyers who want production volume should look at Sea Ray Sundancer or Cruisers Yachts.

FAQ

Frequently asked.

Tiara vs Sabre or Back Cove?: All three are boutique luxury sport-yacht builders. Tiara has the broader lineup (EX, LS, LX); Sabre gives Maine-built Down East styling; Back Cove gives single-engine simplicity. Cross-shop on styling preference and lineup-breadth needs.
Is Tiara related to Pursuit?: Yes. Both brands sit under S2 Yachts (the Slikkers family parent company). The brands share parts and dealer infrastructure but operate distinct lineups: Tiara is sport yachts and offshore center-console flagships; Pursuit is offshore center consoles and dual consoles.
What's the maintenance cost on an EX42?: Annual service on twin Volvo IPS800 runs $4,500 to $7,000. Bottom paint $1,200 to $2,500. Storage $5,000 to $15,000 indoor. Insurance for a $1.2M hull runs $7,000 to $12,000.
Where are Tiaras built?: Holland, Michigan. Slikkers-family-owned facility, single-site.

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Categories Tiara Yachts fits.

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