Tiara’s 50 Flybridge offers world-class views and Volvo Penta’s IPSII drives and engines.
Piloting a boat from the flybridge helm station adds the bonus of unmatched ocean vistas, but hot, humid weather can be a deterrent to outdoor operation. Add in rain and wind and you could get chased down below—but not aboard Tiara’s new 50 Flybridge. Based on the successful 50 Coupe launched in late 2013, the 50 Flybridge is designed to be encircled with a removable enclosure. When closed off to the elements the helm and passenger space can be shelter from poor weather or blissfully air conditioned. As a case in point, at the 2014 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show where the 50 Flybridge was introduced, that cool upper perch was a favorite spot of show-goers looking to escape the midday heat.
Even better, while underway the captain has complete operational control of the 50 Flybridge while six or more guests can comfortably sit inside. The center-mounted helm station is fully rigged with steering wheel, throttles, shifters and a Garmin 15-inch multi-function display, a mini-version of the Glass Cockpit arrangement on the main-deck helm station. The Glass Cockpit is a collaboration between Garmin and Volvo Penta that gathers all driver information and displays it in one spot. The easy-to-handle, pinch-to-zoom displays give you instant control. (Learn more about the Glass Cockpit at southernboating.com/volvo-penta-glass-cockpit/.
All the settings that you control, including instrument dimming, are carried out concurrently at the helm and the flybridge. With the Glass Cockpit system you get a common, ergonomic design—and interface—for the whole dashboard, with push buttons on the controls and touch buttons on the screens.
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“We opted for the center-style helm because it’s more comfortable to run,” explained David Glenn, marketing director for S2 Yachts, the parent company of Tiara Yachts and Pursuit Boats. “Having this central helm also keeps everyone engaged, with the three-person lounges to either side. There’s also the convertible sunpad lounge area that looks aft. It’s a great spot to get out of the fray and look toward the cockpit and swim platform while people play in the water.”
A port-side staircase leads guests down from the flybridge to the spacious cockpit, which features an aft lounge along the transom bulkhead, a fiberglass cockpit table with high-low actuator, and port and starboard aft-facing seats in the corners with storage underneath. Port and starboard stairs lead to the huge swim step, with an optional Nautical Structures hydraulic swim platform.
“There’s a ton of storage in the aft garage for fenders, toys and more,” added Glenn, demonstrating how the area is accessed via a single electrical door hinged at the top. “This also allows you to get to the Volvo Penta IPS pod drives and running gear.” Access to the engine room is through a hatch in the sole of the cockpit.
Moving forward through the cockpit, sliding-glass doors lead into the salon and the expansive galley inside that occupies the entire aft section. With the sliding-glass doors open the flow from the transom bulkhead all the way forward to the helm station is completely open. The aft galley is a connecting point and allows the chef to be fully engaged with guests and the pilot. The galley is equipped with a refrigerator/freezer to starboard and electric cooktop and sink on the port side.
A lounge with a large Ultraleather couch is forward to port—teak and walnut are incorporated into all the furniture. A Samsung 40-inch flat-screen TV that rises out of a console is to starboard, and all the way forward is the starboard helm station with a helm chair and fully outfitted Glass Cockpit dash.
The three-stateroom arrangement has an interesting atrium area when you descend from the helm on the port stairs. “There’s lots of light through these large windows—it’s open and you can see all the way aft,” Glenn points out. “The boat also features teak and wenge wood and Chilewich wall coverings throughout the interior.”
The VIP berth in the bow area offers twin beds that can be split apart or pushed together along with a hanging locker and plenty of storage. The VIP also features private access to a starboard dayhead with a large shower area. “This layout has a washer and dryer and third stateroom,” Glenn said. The third stateroom can also be situated as an office with a couch.
The master stateroom is located amidships and offers a well-appointed bathroom with a shower and wood-slate floor. A divided storage compartment with manually actuated gas spring drawers under the queen-size bed is an intelligent way to use the space. The bed is positioned with its headboard on the starboard side, and to port is a couch and large window above it. The master also features a cedar-backed hanging locker and its own Marine Air 16,000-Btu air conditioning system. There’s also a Samsung 29-inch flat screen TV and Blu-Ray DVD player.
Comfortable cabins and a spacious galley make the Tiara 50 Flybridge a superb overnighting platform whether at anchor or at the docks. In addition, while underway the boat’s twin Volvo Penta D11 750-horsepower diesel engines provide the power for remarkable performance. The engines are mated to Volvo Penta’s latest-generation IPSII 950 drives with Joystick Plus control. The pods make it possible to dock in a completely intuitive way, and also deliver 30 percent reduced fuel consumption and a 50 percent lower perceived noise level compared to conventional inboards.
“The 50 Flybridge runs on the same bottom as the 50 Coupe,” explained Tom Slikkers, CEO and President of S2 Yachts, during a presentation at the Fort Lauderdale show. “The Tiara DNA is incorporated into all the new boats we are launching classic lines in a luxurious boat that is equipped with the best propulsion and electronics available.”
By Doug Thompson, Southern Boating March 2015
