2021 Tiara Sport 43 LE

Overview

Boats sporting convertible cockpit arrangements have become all the rage. But the flip-down hull sides and swiveling, sliding seat modules aboard Tiara Sport’s 43 LE do more than just expand social and recreational opportunities. They combine with its racy, offshore hull form, gobs of outboard power, and a cabin chock full of amenities to make this boat as much a sport yacht as it is a dayboat.

BTG0521_FT1_01

Engines

Dayboat functionality begins with the ability to deliver the advantages of speed and performance to your crew. Powered by triple Mercury Racing 450R outboards, the 43 LE blasts you and a dozen or more close friends to 60 mph, ensuring not only thrills, but also that you get to where you want to go—and back—in a manageable time. I found it fun to run, and responsive whether cruising, transiting the swift current of Shinnecock Canal, or cutting just-for-fun S-turns out on the open water.

BTG0521_FT1_16

The 43 LE is available with the triple Mercury Racing 450R outboards that we tested it with, as well as triple Yamaha 425 XTO outboards.

Interior and Accessories

BTG0521_FT1_17

Of course, a great dayboat proves much more than just a water taxi. It also requires the flexibility to accommodate a large group, as well as smaller, intimate groups. Certainly, size helps provide the space for separate, dedicated social zones. On top of that, Tiara Sport’s design team displayed ingenuity throughout the 43 LE. Two examples are the All Sport Module and the flip-down terrace in the cockpit.

BTG0521_FT1_06

Now enter the cockpit—via either a port or starboard walkway—and check out the front side of the module. You’ll discover a pair of lounges, upholstered stylishly in luxurious but boat-tough fabric, and with chaise-style footrests. Flip down the middle armrest to reveal drink holders, or mount the glossy teak table and serve up snacks.

Now, say you want to face aft or 45 degrees toward the flipped-down portside terrace. The All Sport Module manually rotates into multiple positions and locks firmly in place. A sunshade extends aft, offering sun cover, and a pair of aft-facing lounges (stowage within) at the cockpit’s forward end complement the arrangement. Tiara provides ladders for the terrace, the swim platform and starboard-side boarding door. Besides the swimming potential, consider that there are multiple ways to get on and off the 43 LE.

BTG0521_FT1_09

The helm deck can be separated from or made part of the cockpit thanks to a unique, center-opening, sliding enclosure ($11,100) that’s not quite doors yet not quite clear canvas. This ingenious entry combines with a huge single-expanse windshield, sliding side windows, and a wide skylight overhead that opens in its center. The double-wide helm and companion seats rotate to face aft as desired. A TV flips down from overhead.

BTG0521_FT1_12

The helm itself is a lesson in an operating station done right. It tilts aft for service, a decades long hallmark for Tiara. I did not see its dark surface reflected in the windshield, and the hardtop’s brow further reduced glare. There’s ample handy stowage for phones, keys, lip balm and miscellaneous items, another Tiara hallmark. Placement of every item, from engine controls and accessory switches to the two large Garmin multifunction displays, I deemed ergonomic.

The galley, as such, is up here too, where it serves best for entertaining, along with the grill in the cockpit. This consists of a sink, two drawer refrigerators, a Yeti cooler, pantry stowage and a 120-volt AC outlet.

BTG0521_FT1_14

Belowdecks, backlit paneling carries the fashionable embossed pattern of the topside seating upholstery into the teak and beechwood bedecked cabin. I found wide-plank flooring underfoot, with indirect lighting at ankle height, and a combination of upholstery and fiberglass overhead. The look is cool, interesting and modern. There are big hullside windows with privacy shades.

Aft, the private midcabin berth boasts a full-size mattress with decent sitting headroom. There’s standing headroom at the long settee, a hanging locker, and a light from a hull window with an opening porthole. The forward stateroom offers a queen pedestal berth and is privatized by a curtain. The hullside windows and an overhead hatch provide light and natural ventilation.

BTG0521_FT1_18

The head offers a separate shower stall, more solid teak flooring, a Vacu-Flush commode, an exhaust fan, and a lot of style.

The Tiara Sport 43 LE rates as a must-see for boaters seeking performance, weekending luxury and dayboating versatility.

Design and Serviceability

Tiara is a builder that cares about the marriage of design and function, a DNA marker I’ve noted through more than two decades of testing boats for Boating. Certainly the images do the first part justice. The function part?

BTG0521_FT1_08

Aboard the 43 LE I noted ruggedly installed fixtures and fittings that were beautifully made and functional. And an eye toward serviceability is evident throughout: I direct your attention to the helm, described above, and the way it flips down granting access to wiring and the cables for the networked electronics. Technicians will love working on this boat.

Climbing into the bilge aboard the 43 LE, through the generous access hatch in the cockpit sole proved easy. I found service points and equipment such as seacocks, batteries, genset, gyro stabilizer and more securely installed and easy to examine and lay my hands on.

Not too many boats boast this kind of performance, amenities and twin-cabin accommodations. But we’ll direct you to inspect Intrepid’s 438 Evolution, which can also be powered by triple Mercury Racing 450R outboards (starting around $900,000).

How We Tested

• Engines: Triple 450 hp Mercury Racing 450R
• Drive/Props: Outboard/14.6″ x 18″/19″/18″ 4-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 1.75:1 Fuel Load: 400 gal. Water on Board: 60 gal. Crew Weight: 400 lb.

High Points

• Best multiuse cockpit arrangement we’ve seen yet.
• Ingenuity melds with excellence in build and finish; check the All Sport Module, hardtop aft enclosure, and more.
• Exciting-to-run powerboat features 43 feet and 22,000 pounds.
• Boat includes a flip-down TV, a bow social zone, and a side boarding door.

Low Points

• We’d like to see the aft cleats moved farther aft so cross-tied dock lines will be less likely to abrade the outboards.
• Adding fiddle rails around the top of the grill covers/stowage lids on the All Sport Module would inhibit items from sliding off when the space is used for serving.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation