Boat Test: 2025 Tiara Yachts 43 LE

Overview

The Tiara 43 LE is a luxury sport yacht with a rugged boatbuilding DNA that belies its opulence, ready to take on the snottiest of bluewater days outside the inlet yet equally suited to entertain at ­anchor or keep the crew ensconced in comfort on an overnighter. And it’s got some next-level ­features that are sure to be crowd-pleasers. 

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 hardiest vessels. (For reference, listen to the legendary ­Gordon Lightfoot song “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 knife through sloppy seas with its V-hull that tapers to 21 degrees at the transom.

Engines

Tiara offers only one power option 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, where 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 run across Lake Michigan or a weekend jaunt to the Bahamas. If the seas get really rough, Tiara offers the option to add a Seakeeper 6 gyrostabilizer to help keep the crew comfortable. Mercury DTS controls allow for smooth, effortless handling—we carved S-curves as if we were in a 20-foot sportboat. 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.

Interior and Accessories

One of the coolest features you can find aboard the 43 LE has to be 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. (Safety note: The terrace will deploy and retract only when the ignition is turned off.) The lounge also rotates a full 180 degrees aft to face the transom. 

Even beyond 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, allowing the captain to be in contact with the crew while manning the wheel. 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, expansive portside lounge with a teak table, and a galley with beautiful cabinetry, a sink, a microwave and a dual-burner cooktop. The expansive windows ensure that 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 the twin flush-mounted Garmin 16-inch ­GPSMap multifunction displays.

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Belowdecks, the two large cabins 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 style and a separate shower stall. With 6 feet, 5 inches of headroom at the ­tallest point belowdecks, it does not feel claustrophobic or confining, especially with the cabin ­windows adding copious natural light.

Competitors? You’ll find plenty of outboard options in the 40- to 50-foot center-console market, but for a closed salon, check out the MJM 4, which starts at $1,881,827 with twin 600 Verados. The MJM is more of a downeast-style boat with a traditional aft cockpit layout, but it does have a bow lounge and the option for twin 400 hp Volvo Penta sterndrive diesels. The Cruisers 42 GLS OB offers outboard power and actuated gunwales that drop down for water access, but it has a more open layout under the hardtop. The Cruisers also sells in the $1.5-plus-million range with twin 600 Verados.

Overall, the Tiara 43 LE is a sport cruiser that can get you anywhere you want to go in style and comfort, with a rugged, well-built hull, and the amenities and performance to keep the captain and crew happy all day—and night too. 

How We Tested

• Engine: Twin Mercury 600 Verados
• Props: Verado 12 15 ³/₄” x 26″ 3-blade and 17 ¹/₃” x 26″ 4-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 2.50:1 Fuel Load: 438 gal. Crew Weight: 800 lb.

High Points

• Kudos to Tiara for installing a functional bow rail as well as handrails on the hardtop to ensure safe transit to the bow area.
• Tiara increased the fuel capacity from 400 gallons on the older version to 540 ­gallons, increasing its optimal range by nearly 100 miles at cruising speeds.
• The optional fishing package adds rod ­holders, a livewell and a bait-prep station.

Low Point

• The salon countertops are aesthetically pleasing but, with no fiddles, things can slide off if another boat rocks your anchorage. 

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation