Tiara Sport 38 LS
Well, well, well. Who’d a thunk? An outboardpowered—or should we say outboardPOWERED—sportster from the folks at Tiara Yachts, historically known for either the tried-and-true straight-shot inboard or, over the past few years, the joystick-enabled Volvo Penta IPS pod drive. Standard issue for the new Tiara 38 LS (Luxury Sport), according to a recently published standards list, are triple 350-horsepower Yamaha F350s. Who’d a thunk indeed.
What kind of speed are we talkin’ here? A recent Yamaha test report puts the 38’s top hop at a rousing 48.3 knots and her cruise velocity at an equally rousing 30.3 knots. Fuel consumption at the two velocities—97.8 gph and 40.9 gph respectively—gives the boat, by our calculations, a range of about 146 nautical miles at WOT and approximately 220 nautical miles at cruise. Not bad for a dayboat that pushes the popular center-console design, with its predictably symmetrical layout, into entirely new and exciting territory.
Of course, most center consoles these days are fishboats with, as the term implies, oodles of fishfighting gear, a steering console on centerline, narrow walkways on either side, U- shaped or bench-type seating up forward, an obfuscated swim platform (if there’s one at all), and, for better or worse, a dearth of yachty luxuries. Quite frankly, the 38—first in a new, multi-boat series of “Sport” vessels from Tiara—stands this arrangement on its head, while simultaneously paying just a little homage to it. How?
For starters, the flashy, fishy emphasis is absent, totally supplanted by a host of laid-back, fun-in-the-sun features like a manually-operated U-shaped lounge at the rear of the cockpit which can be easily made to face forward or aft; a large, mid-cockpit galley with Corian countertop, stainless-steel sink, Kenyon electric grill, and Vitrifrigo reefer; and an ample, teak-paved swim platform that, thanks to integrated “outboard extensions” on either side, facilitates actual swimming, diving, and snorkeling, as well as an easy back and forth passage athwartships.
Then there’s the layout itself. Instead of the aforementioned centerline symmetry, the 38’s steering console is offset to port, thus leaving a wide walkway to starboard that stretches from the mid-cockpit to the lounge area at the bow. Not only does the walkway design encourage movement between social zones, it frees up space belowdecks for an ample stateroom, complete with a full berth and a head compartment with a separate stall shower.
And then there are the numerous little niceties that, when taken together, engender a sense of luxury. The standard Fusion three-zone stereo (with a total of 10 JL Audio speakers) is the leader of this particular pack, with baseball-stitched upholstery and other Italian details (like upholstered handrails) not far behind.
And finally, there’s the modernity of the electronics and lifestyle-related technologies on board. From the “glass cockpit” Garmin GPSMAP plotter at the helm to the array of hardtop lights that can be colorcontrolled, the new Tiara 38 LS appears to be as up to date as the latest smartphone. Couple this with an options list that includes a Yamaha Helm Master joystick control, Lenco Auto Glide trim tabs (in lieu of standard Lencos), and a Seakeeper gyrostabilizer, and you’ve got a fast, luxurious daycruiser that pleasingly stretches and modifies the center-console paradigm.
—Capt. Bill Pike