Tiara 43 LE

The Tiara 43 LE is a ­luxury sport yacht with rugged boatbuilding DNA that belies its opulence. It’s ready to take on the snottiest of bluewater days when the fish are calling, and thanks to Tiara’s fishing package option, this boat can be rigged as a bona fide ­canyon runner.

Let’s start with the 43 LE’s performance. For some background, Tiara hails from Holland, Michigan, where it designs high-end boats built to withstand the rigors of boating in the Great Lakes, where the weather can turn in an instant and kick open-ocean-size swells with tight periods that can beat down even the heartiest vessels. (For reference, listen to the legendary Gordon Lightfoot song “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.”) Tiara cuts no corners in the construction process, producing a stout boat with a beefy stringer system and interior build that holds up tremendously over time. You’ll hear no rattles, creaks or groans while running through a pounding sea. At 24,000 pounds and with a wide 13-foot beam, it can knock down rollers, and it can knife through sloppy seas with its V-hull that tapers to 21 degrees at the transom. 

Tiara offers only one ­power package for the 43 LE: a pair of Mercury 600 hp Verado V-12 outboards that help this beast achieve peak performance. On test day, with five people aboard and an 81 percent fuel load, we climbed onto plane in about 5 seconds and reached 30 mph in just over 11 seconds. Thanks to Mercury’s Active Trim, the boat did not squat coming out of the hole, keeping sightlines intact from the helm the entire time. We recorded a top-end of 47.1 mph at 6,000 rpm on test day; during internal tests with Mercury, Tiara recorded a top speed of 51.4 mph at 6,158 rpm. 

Notably, the 43 LE cruised exceptionally well at 4,500 rpm, with a cruising speed of 34.6 mph; we just felt dialed in as if we were gliding along the water. Drop back to 3,500 rpm and 23.7 mph, and the 43 LE has a maximum range of 313 statute miles, thanks to its 540-gallon fuel tank. That’s a range worthy of a 100-mile run out to the canyons or a weekend fishing expedition from Florida to the Bahamas. If the seas get really rough, Tiara offers the option to add a Seakeeper SK6 gyro to help keep the crew comfortable. The Mercury DTS controls allow for smooth, effortless handling. We carved S-curves as if we were in a 20-foot sport boat. For close-quarters handling, you’ll appreciate the Mercury joystick system. If you really want a leg up on docking, opt for the Mercury Integrated Bow Thruster system.

The fishing package provides four rod holders in the transom to set up a spread. In lieu of the rotating cockpit lounge, Tiara adds a bait-prep station, complete with a 30-gallon livewell, a fish-cleaning station, a freezer for frozen baits, as well as tackle drawers and a removable cutting board over a freshwater sink.

The four transom and gunwale cup holders also have rod-holder inserts cut in, so you can add to your arsenal if desired. A flip-down transom bench hides in the middle of the station, so you can ride in comfort to the fishing grounds, then fold it away to maximize cockpit space. The package also includes four rocket-launcher rod holders on the hardtop. You can further customize your fishability by adding aftermarket outriggers and rod holders along the cockpit gunwales.

Adding the fishing package removes one of the coolest features you can find aboard the 43 LE: the rotating ­cockpit lounge. From its standard forward-­facing position, you can rotate it 45 degrees to port to face the electrically actuated terrace, which basically drops the portside gunwale fully horizontal to water level for swimming access or, yes, to land a massive pelagic. The lounge ­also rotates a full 180 degrees aft to face the transom. 

Even without the lounge, the 43 LE is packed with luxury amenities, especially in the main cabin that houses the helm station. Notably, the aft bulkhead has a glass-door system that opens wide for an unfettered view of the cockpit and all that’s going on behind the helm, so the captain can be in contact with the crew while working the trolling spread. In inclement weather, you can close up the cabin and cruise in climate-­controlled ­luxury. The salon features several standard amenities, such as a teak sole, pop-up TV, an expansive portside lounge with a teak table, and a galley with beautiful cabinetry, a sink, microwave and dual-burner cooktop. 

The expansive windows ensure everyone has an excellent view of the water, no matter where they’re seated. Most importantly, the vantage point from the helm is excellent, with easy access from the captain’s chair to the controls, Mercury Vessel View display, and twin flush-mounted Garmin 16-inch GPSMap displays.

Belowdecks are two large cabins that can sleep four people. The forward cabin features an island berth, while the aft cabin spans the complete beam of the boat. The ­well-appointed head features designer styling and a separate shower stall. With 6½ feet of headroom at the tallest point belowdecks, it does not feel claustrophobic or confining, especially with the cabin windows adding copious ­natural light.

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Overall, the Tiara 43 LE is a sport cruiser that can get you anywhere you want to go in style and comfort, and when armed with the fishing options, it can lead to glorious success on the offshore grounds.

Specifications

Tiara Yachts – Holland, Michigan; 616-392-7163; tiarayachts.com