Tiara 43 LE Cabin Cruiser Boat Reviewed in 2025

Rating

• Boat & Sail Magazine Score 4/5
• Dayboat features 5/5
• Overnighting capability 2/5
• Options and layout 4/5
• Performance and driving experience 5/5
• Price and quality 4/5

Tiara 43 LE — The Ultimate Dayboat Meets the Luxurious Overnighting Cabin Cruiser

Introduced in 2020, the Tiara 43 LE was the first boat of the company’s new cabin cruiser series. One look at the boat tells you a lot about it—yes, it’s as fast as it looks. Performance is a primal part of the boat’s design, and most of the features are aimed at folks who want to spend a few hours zooming around on the water then head back for dinner at the marina.

Dayboat Comfort and Features

The masterful part of the Tiara LE lineup is pretty evident once you step aboard. Everything about this boat is centered in the spacious cockpit, where clever features make it stand out.

The first unique thing is what Tiara refers to as the terrace. The entire port side of the boat, from just above the waterline to the gunwale, swings outward to make a spacious swim platform.

In some ways, switching to outboard power replaces what is lost. Where sterndrives may have had a beautiful platform to aft, it’s now just moved to the side. But the platform also makes boarding easier in some docking situations and dramatically opens up the cockpit floor space. Nobody feels like they’re in the way on the Tiara 43 LE.

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The next notable feature is the large center console with seating, which rotates into three locking positions. On one side, there are two seats with retractable leg rests. A polished teak pedestal table can be mounted between the two seats for cocktail hour and dining. Behind the seats, you’ll find a covered electric grill. Next is a large storage compartment big enough for your lines and fenders, plus bigger items like inflatable paddle boards.

This big console swings into three positions. The seats can face forward, aft, or at an angle facing the side terrace. With that angle set, the cockpit is wide open for moving around, getting in and out of the water, and just generally hanging out.

Looking forward, two large bench seats face aft, making the entire space the perfect place to enjoy sundowners with friends, new and old. One could imagine this large and adaptable space will make the yacht popular with all sorts of water activities, from some fishing to sunning and even long-distance cruising.

The pilothouse area can be entirely enclosed thanks to a clever retractable door system. The door is made of high-quality, ultra-clear vinyl but is mounted in a sliding frame. No snaps or webbing straps here—the pilothouse can be closed off for all weather in a few seconds. Rain, heat, or cold can’t change this boat’s course.

Inside the air-conditioned and heated pilot house, you’ll find more adaptable seating that adds even more versatility to the design. Both helm and navigator bench seats rotate to face aft to keep the captain and admiral in the social action. The helm seat includes a flip-up bolster for driving while standing up.

If those warm summer breezes have you wanting some fresh air, both side windows of the pilothouse open wide. This lets in some air and facilitates communication between the operator and deck crew when anchoring or docking. There are three overhead portlights, the center of which opens for even greater ventilation.

The galley is extremely small, and there are no cooking appliances beyond the electric grill mounted in the cockpit and a convection microwave oven mounted down below. It’s between the forward helm seats and the rear-facing benches. It’s neatly tucked into two opposing countertops on each side of the boat, so it doesn’t impede traffic flow.

To port, a small stainless sink with a folding faucet hides below the countertop. To starboard, a countertop lies above a storage drawer. Two refrigerator drawers lie on each side of the boat. You can upgrade the starboard one to be a freezer.

You’ll find a flip-down television above the galley and behind the operator’s seat. It’s handy for watching while underway or at anchor, but its location makes viewing only possible from the two aft seats and only then if they’re facing forward.

For crew members who want to spend a little more time in the sun, the forward deck of the boat is equipped with twin sun pads. The backs flip up into chaise lounges. Stainless handrails make the trip forward around the pilothouse easy. But what if the sun is getting a little too much? The aft cockpit features a retractable sunshade. Just push a button and cool off a bit.

Overnighting or Weekending Amenities

Out on deck, the boat is an impressive dayboat. Everything is centered around the incredible space, perfect for socializing and enjoying your time on the water. But a boat like this shouldn’t be limited to a few hours out and back again. Tiara knows this and has packed a beautiful cabin into the 43 LE. At first glance, it is warm and inviting.

Down below, you’ll find a large, queen-sized pedestal bed forward. Flanked by large hull windows and a beautiful custom headboard, the bed is large, welcoming, and easy to enter, with plenty of space on each side. The light-filled cabin is beautifully appointed, making a welcome respite from the sun and waves whether you want a quick snooze or a nice long recovery after a day at sea.

Midship on the starboard side, you’ll find a large, well-appointed head with a separate shower stall. A large hull window with an opening port provides lots of light and some ventilation.

There is also a large midship cabin on the 43 LE. The double bunk lies athwartship, under the cockpit. Entry is gained on the port side, with standing headroom for changing. A nice long setee lies to port opposite the bunk, and another large hull window keeps the area feeling open and spacious.

The cabin on the 43 LE is not where you’ll spend a lot of time. This isn’t designed to be a live-aboard cruiser. It is, however, great for a weekend getaway for up to two couples–but no more–who will spend plenty of time off the boat.

What’s missing? Imagine cooking a full meal for four and sitting and eating it aboard. The grill is workable but not impressive in its size and the microwave mounted in the bedroom is an afterthought. The prep space is small, and, worst of all, there needs to be a dinette. There’s only a small side table for the aft outdoor seats.

The missing dinette is no small problem since many now use these spaces to knock out a few emails and check in with the office via web conference. So while the boat has plenty of room for your stuff, staying on board for a long trip will be an exercise in minimalism.

Of course, what it lacks in the galley and dining space probably doesn’t bother you if you’re heading out to the local dock-and-dine and will be back home before dark.

Options and Layout — A Small Motor Yacht for Everyone

Tiara has loaded the 43 LE with all the options you could ask for from a dayboat. The boat broaches into the small yacht category and continues to exceed your expectations everywhere you look.

One of the secrets of the 43 LE is its incredible engineering space below the cockpit deck. Down below, you’ll find a 7.5 kWh diesel generator, enough to power the heating and air conditioning throughout the boat. There are also built-in stringers to support the optional Seakeeper SK6 gyro stabilizer, which makes rough passages feel smooth as a mountain lake.

Details are built into every corner of this boat. The engineering space makes everything easy to work on, from cleaning strainers to changing filters. The space is impressive and functional, mostly thanks to the outboard engines that free up some real estate down below.

On deck, a panel hides the twin 50-amp shore power cords in the starboard side of the cockpit. Included are electric cord retractors to keep everything out of your way. Fresh and raw washdown connectors are also included there, plus there’s another set in the anchor locker.

Speaking of the anchor locker, everything is neatly stored below decks with the anchor hawsepipe coming out of the stem. Remote controls for the electric windlass are up front and at the helm.

In terms of layout, the boat only comes one way. It would be nice to see Tiara offer up some choice here, perhaps replacing the aft rotating lounger with a more traditional U-shaped settee and dinette table. But that’s why they have the 43 LS.

Performance and Driving Experience

Don’t let the 43 LE’s size fool you. While the lounging and relaxing amenities are plentiful, it’s also fast, powerful, and fun to drive.

First, the power options. Currently, the 43 LE is specced out with the latest Mercury Verado V12, 600-horsepower outboard motors. The engine package includes digital throttles and shifters, an integrated autopilot, an active trim system, and hydraulic power steering. Previous power packages included triple 450s from either Yamaha or Mercury and offered similar performance.

All packages include a joystick piloting control and a bow thruster for easy docking. The helm seat has extraordinary 360-degree visibility through the tempered glass windshield and pilothouse side windows. The pronounced eyebrow keeps glare down and improves visibility.

The operator’s station also includes twin 16-inch touchscreens from Garmin. Engine monitoring is accomplished with a Mercury Vessel View seven-inch touchscreen mounted overhead. And there are no fewer than four cupholders at your fingertips when sitting at the helm.

The navigator’s side also has room for a large Garmin touchscreen, with controls all of the boat’s systems. There are also controls for the SeaKeeper gyro system and Fusion radio. A small glove box has USB charging ports for your electronics.

Last but not least is the boat’s performance. It’s built to move. Fast. Given the size of the boat and the amount of comfortable space on board, you’ll be surprised at just how quickly she gets up and goes. The top speed is almost 55 miles per hour, with an economical cruise of 43 mph. She got up to 30 miles per hour in only 11 seconds in test conditions. Not a bad hole shot for a boat this big.

Driving the 43 LE is comfortable and exhilarating, whether cruising the harbor or heading off for a longer trip.

Price/Quality

Tiara has a reputation for building luxury boats of outstanding quality. The 43 LE is no exception. The layout features are plentiful, and the fit and finish are uncompromising. The appointments are luxurious, from the beautiful upholstery to the glossy teak and beechwood used throughout.

Pricing data for the Tiara is a bit hard to come by. Most listings on the used market hover just under the $1 million mark, with most 2021 and 2022 models priced around $950,000. It’s worth noting that this model was introduced in 2020, and there just aren’t that many out there yet.

Contact your local Tiara representative for current base pricing.

Do We Recommend the Tiara 43 LE?

The Tiara 43 LE blends luxury styling, speed, performance, and dayboat comfort into a well-built, fun-to-use package. You can imagine setting out for a day on the water with friends here, socializing, fishing, or just cruising the coast. The boat is big enough to extend your travels and make overnight trips, but the action is centered on deck.

If you want to stay on board longer, you might want to look into a Downeast-style cabin cruiser like the Grand Banks Eastbay 44 or the Jeanneau NC1095 Fly fast trawler. While these boats lack the performance of the Tiara, they feature more functional galleys and dining areas and more day-to-day living space. Alternatively, you could have it all by stepping up to the Tiara 48LE. 

The 43 LE fits a niche boater who wants little from their cabin space but maximum performance and wonderful outside areas. It’s an all-weather boat with an enclosed pilothouse that will keep you cool or warm, but if you’re looking for long trips or exploring remote waters, we think a proper galley and a place to eat dinner or work on a laptop are must-have items.

We love the Tiara for its appealing looks, outstanding performance, and comfortable dayboat layout. It’s a great boat for folks who seldom overnight on their boats but want the aesthetics, entertaining space, and speed that only the Tiara offers.