While the trend of equipping large center-consoles with a bowrider-esque layout isn’t new, I have yet to see anyone else pull it off with the style and substance found aboard the Tiara 43 LS. The execution raises the bar for boats of this type. The flagship of Tiara Sport’s lineup, the new 43 LS is equipped to entertain abovedecks for daytime fun afloat while pulling off overnight duty with luxury, style, comfort and little compromise. And because—like all Tiara Sport boat models—the 43 LS is overbuilt to withstand the rugged waters found in its home on the Great Lakes, it’s got the offshore chops to reach almost any distant outpost, whether your destination is an Upper Peninsula cottage in Michigan, a Bahamian weekend or you hear a cruise to Catalina calling.
This 12-ton center-console with a deep-V hull that tapers to 21 degrees at the transom treats most lake and bay chop as a minor annoyance, and handles heavier seas outside the inlet with aplomb. Even with its stout construction, with the triple Yamaha XTO outboards this boat can get up and go, reaching 30 mph in under 9 seconds en route to a 53-mph top end speed.
It handles nimbly for its size, and the Yamaha Helm Master joystick system comes standard with the triple XTO package, so docking is no sweat. Our test boat came equipped with the optional Seakeeper SK6 Gyro, which neutralizes the rock and roll when idling or making slow headway in rough seas.
As far as layout, the Tiara Sport 43 LS has so many crowd-pleasing highlights that it’s hard to list them all. One of the first ones to stand out is the aft, manually rotating U-lounge with a teak table that can face aft or forward. Then there’s the galley that sits under the hardtop between the helm and the U-lounge. It features rear-facing seating as well as an array of amenities—expect people to gather around it like they would an island bar in a kitchen. The bow cockpit is another great area to hang and socialize, with three forward-facing backrests to lounge upon or wraparound bow seating. Throw in the forward and midship berth in the cabin that sleeps four, plus the well-appointed head, and you’ve got a keeper.
⋅Galley aft of the helm, with its grill and counter, forms a -gathering point in the boat for socialization in much the same way as a kitchen island in a home.
⋅Bow seating is deep, safe, plushly upholstered, spacious and fun!
⋅Phenomenal access to the ship’s systems in the cavernous mechanical space belowdecks.
⋅Outboard power provides performance with virtually no smoke or vibration while enhancing corrosion resistance for coastal boaters.
LOA: 43′6″
Beam: 13′0″
Draft (max): 3′7″
Dry Weight: 21,800 lb.
Seat/Weight Capacity: Yacht Certified
Fuel Capacity: 400 gal.
Price: $892,890 (base)
Engine: Triple 425 hp Yamaha XTO
Drive/Prop: Outboard/16 3/4″ x 19″ 3-blade XTO stainless steel
Gear Ratio: 1.79:1
Fuel Load: 350 gal.
Crew Weight: 660 lb.
Tiara Sport - Holland, Michigan; 616-392-7163; tiarasport.com