With Lake Macatawa behind us, we clear the channel and enter Lake Michigan. A light breeze and calm seas make for a pleasant summer morning. Sunlight burns through the low cloud cover, highlighting the sand beaches and rolling dunes along the shoreline and turning the Holland Harbor Lighthouse—known locally as “Big Red”—into an even more striking shade of red. It’s one of Michigan’s most photographed lighthouses, and although many of us already have shots of Big Red in our camera rolls, no one resists snapping a few more pictures on a day like this.
Our boat for the day is the Tiara 48 LE, built by family-owned Tiara Yachts in Holland, Michigan. The “LE” stands for Luxury Express cruiser, and the design reflects that label: multiple social zones with clean, modern lines; advanced systems that simplify operation and increase onboard comfort; and powerful propulsion—1,800 total horsepower on the transom—for lively performance.
We planned only a short outing to get a feel for the new model before its public debut at the fall boat shows. I would have welcomed more time aboard; the 48 LE reads more like a small yacht than a conventional cruiser. Nevertheless, our brief run was enough to showcase key features and the overall character of the boat.
The 48 LE follows Tiara’s 48 LS (Luxury Sport), the fast dayboat introduced two years earlier for owners with limited leisure time who want high-speed outings. The LS quickly became popular, and Tiara’s experience with that model informed the 48 LE’s development. Despite sharing a similar LOA, the two boats serve different purposes: the LS is a performance dayboat, while the LE is a proper cruiser, offering a roomy salon and galley, two private heads, two staterooms and accommodations for up to six passengers—suitable for extended days and nights aboard.
Josh Emmick, Tiara’s business development manager, pilots the boat away from Big Red. Three 600-hp Mercury Verado outboards power the 48 LE; the hull was designed around this propulsion package, delivering both speed and range. At roughly 5,000 rpm we recorded a cruise speed of 36.7 knots with a fuel burn of 92.3 gallons per hour—about 0.40 nautical miles per gallon, yielding a theoretical range of 236 nautical miles. While our run was short, the enclosed salon promises comfortable long passages with its teak sole, plush settee, expansive Webasto sunroof and extensive glazing.
We started with the aft power window down and the salon door open to enjoy the breeze. When Tiara’s Whitney Vishey closed the door and raised the window at the push of a button, the sudden quiet was as welcome as the airflow had been—useful for longer runs. At higher rpm the cabin noise neared 70 dB, while easing back to a relaxed cruise around 3,500 rpm drops interior noise into the low 60s, unusually quiet for an express cruiser of this size.
Practical features around the helm make the captain’s work simpler. An opening side window allows conversational communication with crew on deck while anchoring; foot platforms built into the console help each driver find a comfortable stance; and a standing platform improves sightlines when precision is required. The helm’s electric Stidd seat adjusts easily, and Tiara has integrated the bow thruster with Mercury’s Joystick Piloting System—enabling faster, more accurate low-speed maneuvering and automatic engagement of the thruster when needed.
Navigation runs through Tiara’s integrated electronics package and dual Garmin 16-inch GPSMap displays at the helm. Owners often option a third 16-inch display to port so a crewmember on the two-person bench can assist with navigation—an addition Emmick says is commonly chosen along with equipment such as the Seakeeper gyro and FLIR M232 camera.
Vishey demonstrated several of the 48 LE’s “transformational” features. A portside bench slides forward at the push of a button to expand the four-person settee by a foot or two, the first step in converting the seating into a berth for adults or children. Down below, the guest stateroom features twin berths that slide together to form a larger bed—comfortable and convenient with settee seating, windows and access to the guest head. The forward master stateroom has a queen berth with generous walk-around space and more than six feet of headroom, plus an en suite head with a separate shower.
On deck the cockpit is ideal for relaxing and watching boats go by. A hardtop with an integrated Makefast Powered Sunshade offers protection from the sun, and aft-facing seats and a power-rotating lounge provide flexible viewpoints. The rotating lounge is a standout: with a button near the transom passengers can spin the seat 180 degrees to face aft for swimming visibility or rotate 90 degrees for a side view—handy for fireworks or shoreline scenery. The lounge’s aft surface conceals a sleek countertop and grill, creating a practical buffet space for entertaining.
Another yachty touch is the hullside terrace: a port gunwale drops at the press of a button to expand the deck and make water access easier, including a four-rung swim ladder. A starboard-side door simplifies boarding from a dock. The cockpit also contains generous insulated storage, synthetic teak decking, and an optional drop-down TV—an upgrade most buyers tend to choose.
Tiara excels at fundamentals, which enhances everyday usability. Well-placed handrails throughout the boat provide security when moving about in choppy conditions; wide sidedecks and a tall bowrail make forward deck access safe and comfortable; and ample storage—insulated coolers in the cockpit, sliding salon drawers and tall hanging lockers in staterooms—helps keep a cruising boat organized. These practical elements underscore Tiara’s commitment to building seaworthy, owner-focused boats.
As we returned to the marina, Emmick used the joystick to ease the 48 LE into its slip while crew handled the lines. Our outing was brief but instructive: the 48 LE delivers a balanced mix of performance, comfort and smart design. My main advice is not to rush the experience—this family cruiser rewards time aboard.
Tiara 48 LE
LOA: 48’4”
Beam: 14’2”
Draft: 3’10”
Weight (dry): 32,500 lbs.
Fuel: 660 gals.
Water: 100 gals.
Power: (3) 600-hp Mercury Verados
Price (approx.): $1.8 million
This article was originally published in the October 2023 issue.