Tiara Sport 34 LS

With the successful launch of the 38 LS, or Luxury Sport, in 2017, Tiara made a big splash in the dayboat market. Sporty enough to pull skiers or tubes, the LS series is also loaded with enough options to entertain family and friends at the dock or on the hook, and can provide comfortable overnight accommodations away from home base.

What would you do after hitting a home run with the bases loaded? If you’re Tiara Sport, you step up to the plate again and swing for the fences.

This year, game two of Tiara’s doubleheader featured the release of the new 34 LS. The smaller sibling to the 38-footer features the same luxury options and abilities in a size that new boaters and single-handers may find more accessible. 

Walking down the dock, I could see the distinct lines of the 34 LS where it sat in the slip. With a raked-back windshield, dynamic stance and fluid lines, the boat looks like it’s rounding the bases even when sitting still. 

Twin Yamaha outboards mounted at the transom play into the boat’s sporty persona, and accent colors that match the hull add a nice touch. The outboards are a break from tradition for Tiara; however, the boatbuilder has been working to unlock the recipe that balances performance and luxury in a sportier vessel, and the Yamaha outboards provide the perfect ingredient. 

To step aboard the 34 LS, I had my choice of paths from the dock into the cockpit. The wide step pads on either side of the swim platform create easy access at the transom, while a stepped access pad on the port side allows boarding from a higher dock. The two options make entry a breeze no matter how high or low the water level may be. 

Nicely curved grabrails are everywhere you look but blend in well, providing safety without disrupting the boat’s beautiful lines. Pop-up cleats also add to the clean look.

At the helm, the wide, comfortable bench converts to individual captain and crew seating, with fold-down armrests between each. Simple but thoughtful details stand out at the helm, including teak and leather accents, USB charging ports and several storage areas for personal electronics. An opening hatch in the hardtop allows fresh air and sunlight in from above. 

The console provides plenty of information and controls from Garmin glass panels and overhead Yamaha engine displays. Yamaha’s optional Helm Master system provides joystick control and superior maneuverability for new boaters and old salts alike. Comfortably placed controls and exceptional visibility make operating the 34 LS a joy.

The forward seating area, accessible via the wide starboard walkway, quickly became my favorite space on the boat. With room for four or more, the comfortable seating hides the bow table and can also store an optional Mediterranean sunshade. 

The space includes controls for the Fusion system, USB charging ports and plenty of cup holders. The bow seating area is also surprisingly quiet; even at cruising speeds, normal conversations are possible while running across Lake Michigan at 35 mph. 

The 34 LS includes a fairly simple design feature, but one that became another favorite of mine: A finished cut-out along the starboard side provides easily accessible storage that keeps dock lines or boat poles within reach. 

The cockpit space was purpose-built for entertaining guests on the water, not just for laying in the sun. Behind the forward cockpit seating, a sink and hidden trash can are easily accessible and provide plenty of serving space when covered. A cold storage drawer and a cutout designed for a 45-quart cooler below the helm seating provide plenty of room for refreshments.

The rear cockpit seating hides the boat’s secret superpower. Release the latch and the rear seat slides forward to meet the front bench and create a dining area for six to eight guests. Or sun worshipers can fold down the backrest and join the two seats into a large, comfortable sunpad. Slid forward, the seat also leaves plenty of open space at the rear of the deck for entertaining guests or easy water access. 

Tiara did not skimp on creature comforts in the cabin either. Through the sliding cabin door, teak steps lead past a storage cabinet hiding the electrical panel, environmental controls and stereo. The roomy cabin features a full-size bed, surprising headroom and LED lighting throughout, which makes it feel like a much larger cabin.

To starboard, the private head with integrated shower is also roomy and well lit. A hullside window opens to let fresh air in as needed, while a large mirror, more LED lighting and storage in the countertop create the perfect spot to freshen up. 

The 34 LS offers lots of optional equipment, including generator power, a cockpit TV, a rear Makefast sunshade, helm heat and air, and cockpit enclosures, among a long list of customizations. However, right out of the box the boat includes a long list of standard features.

Tiara’s new addition to the LS series is close in size and shape to last year’s 38-footer, but there is a place for both. At 34 feet, the boat feels a little more manageable than her bigger sibling with a little less to feed and maintain. Something about the 34 LS feels like you can take an unannounced afternoon off and jump aboard for a spur of the moment blast down the lakeshore all alone. 

After the dockside tour, we cast off and slid the 34 LS out of the Tiara docks before cruising past Holland’s landmark lighthouse, Big Red, on our way toward the Lake Michigan depths. On the lake, we were greeted by perfect conditions with water so calm we never turned on the optional Seakeeper system. A tap on the throttles brought the boat up on plane with ease as we cruised south at 38 mph and watched the West Michigan dunes flow past. Wide-open, the 34 LS pushes along at 51 mph at 6000 rpm. 

The twin 350-hp Yamaha outboards are perfectly matched to the 34 LS, giving the boat quick response to requests from the helm and enough performance to make the boat skip across the water like a stone. The ride and handling were agile, responsive and smooth, allowing the 34 LS to show off both designations — luxury and sport — with style and ease. 

The outboard-powered LS models are obviously here to stay. With the 34 LS added to the lineup, Tiara Sport stepped up to the plate and once again, knocked one over the fence and right out of the park. 

DEALERS
SkipperBud’s
skipperbuds.com 

Walstrom Marine
walstrom.com