Tiara 34LX
Tiara’s 34LX is the newest addition to its Sport Series and widely appeals to both young and seasoned boaters.
These are exciting days in the under 40 market. Along with a nod towards the age group, that means in boats under 40 feet as well. Case in point is the Tiara 34LX, an exciting dayboat from a builder known for its superior craftsmanship, innovative style and dedication to customer loyalty.
“This is a new boat for us and during our research and development, we looked at where the market was going,” says Tiara patriarch Leon Slikkers. “Tiara has always been a premier builder, and this boat is going to make a lot of people happy.”
Here for the fun of it
From her keel up and from bow to stern, the Tiara 34LX is all about having fun. Tiara made sure she is not only well laid out and packed with all the necessities for time away from the dock, but also user-friendly with lots of family features to make everyone comfortable. “We were looking at ways to transform the day boating experience by not only providing the kind of build Tiara is known for, but also to make sure she possessed all the social amenities as well,” says Andrew Bartlett, Tiara’s advanced design lead.
While discussing the strategy of bringing the Tiara 34LX forward, Bartlett made mention of one important aspect of where it all started. “The feature that drove this design is the integration of the windshield with the hardtop,” he says. Indeed, losing the familiar Isinglass tightens things up a bit, but if more airflow is desired, simply open the sunroof and flip back the center windshield. There’s also the optional helm area air conditioning.
Access to the bow area is convenient with the aforementioned walk-through windshield and features almost chest-high bulkheads on either side. This design makes the transition secure for kids or older folks and those not familiar or comfortable with moving around while on board. Once forward, a large semi-circular seating area delivers great vistas while underway. Six drink holders and a JL Audio/Fusion sound system add to the entertainment value while cruising or at anchor.
Design Standards
Tiara engineers made sure the centerline walk-through is clean, logical and securely put in place. As I discovered, it’s easy to unlock the center window, fit it in place, bring down
the top glass, and close the door.
Amidships and to starboard, a doublewide helm seat offers a functional and well-designed helm. While at the wheel, seated or standing, all switches, Lewmar thruster, and traditional controls, a Yamaha CL7 Touch Screen Command Link Plus Display, and Garmin MAP and GPS dual screens (the dual is optional) are within easy reach and vision, and the seaway view is unimpeded forward, to each side and fully aft.
To port is another double seat, and right in front is the easily accessible entrance to the full-size head compartment. The sturdy door swings wide open for a safe entry. Up above in the hardtop is a large sunroof that adds to the already large amount of ambient light that floods this area. Aft of the double seat and helm is a spacious entertainment area that features a sink counter with an Isotherm refrigerator underneath and flat-screen TV above to port, and seating opposite with a foldable table. In a rather innovative design feature, the transom seatback simply slides forward and transforms into a large sunpad.
Top it off
To top it off, or to provide cover, I should say, an aft sunshade deploys from the hardtop
when there’s a need for protection on hot, sunny days. Versatility is key aboard the Tiara 34LX. To that end, even with her dayboat configuration, there is more than ample
storage that frees up plenty of space to bring along just about everything needed, and then some. From under the forward bow seat to the centerline floor storage locker to the starboard seating area to the transom seat, handy, easily accessible spaces are provided for all your requirements.
Meant to Move
Check the ventilated starboard flexible storage area under the helm. It’s used for taking along any kind of gear including dock lines, fenders, dive equipment, fishing rods, or water toys, and easily accessed through the starboard removable jump seat in the bow. You’re hard pressed to find another boat in this size and profile with more available storage space.
Out on the water, she’s a spirited performer. According to Tiara specs on a test run equipped with the optional twin Yamaha F350-hp outboards, her optimum cruise speed comes in at 37.2 mph with a 4,500-rpm turn of speed with a 173-nm range. But that’s where the fun begins. Sliding the throttles forward to 5,500 rpm results in a hold-on-to-your-hat 47-mph speed turning the 34LX into a family ski or wakeboard boat.
A hallmark of Tiara build is the detailed and expert construction techniques. With the Tiaras 34LX, you can expect the same high regard for and attention to detail. “We’ve always been known for our solid builds and with all the market data we’ve collected, our desire to be relevant in this size boat, that being in the 30- to 40-foot outboard market, resulted in this series,” says Bartlett. “She’s a bluewater performer in an outboard package.”
Speed Demon
Faster cruising and wide-open-throttle speeds require different dynamics than requirements on slower cruising boats. “We made sure we capitalized on everything we learned over the years about speed underway. Then, we embedded it in the 34LX,” Bartlett adds. To that end, the full fiberglass grid is an integral part of the hull with strategic areas for foam filling in the substructure to minimize both noise and vibration. “With a line like this and a larger run at the factory level, we can provide individual molds for stringer systems as well as using resin transfer infusion for hatches and the grid itself,” says Bartlett.
With an extensive listing of standard equipment, including a through-stem anchoring system, fiberglass hardtop, coldwater transom shower, 12V bow thruster, and large swim platform, you can also choose from a wide range of premier options such as a Yamaha Helm Master Joystick Docking System with Setpoint, Seakeeper SK2 Gyro and a Garmin 48-inch Open Array Radar.
If you’re considering moving into the Tiara 34LX, there’s one more very important item that this quality builder brings to the forefront: It’s a Tiara.
Specifications
LOA: w/integrated platform 34′ 9″
Beam: 11′ 0”
Draft: motors up/down: 2′ 2″/3′ 1″
Dry Weight: 13,800 lbs.
Fuel/Water: 200/30 gals.
Power: 2x 300-hp Yamaha outboard engines
Cruise/Top Speed: 37.2/52.1 mph
Range @ cruise: 173 nm
MSRP: Inquire
Contact
Tiara Yachts
725 E 40th Street
Holland, MI 49423
(616) 392-7163
tiarayachts.com
By Ken Kreisler, Southern Boating March 2019