Tiara 54 EX Review

Second siblings have been on my mind a lot recently as we ready our home for our own second child. Specifically, I wonder what he will be like, will he be a smaller version of his big brother or will he be the diametric opposite?

At the Palm Beach boat show I got to spend some time with another highly anticipated new sibling of Tiara’s Adventure Series in the 54 EX. Having spent a day and night aboard the flagship 60, I left incredibly impressed by how the Michigan-based builder blended so many fan-favorite features from their smaller boats into a versatile motoryacht. What would be sacrificed to achieve the smaller footprint of the 54?

From the massive swim platform to the line storage in the bow anchor locker, the boat feels damn near identical. In fact, it’s much easier to talk about what’s different between the two models than to compare what’s the same (the fold-down gunwales, the cockpit modules, the salon and cockpit layout, the helm and side door, the general arrangement plan, bow lounge etc.). What’s different is that the guest cabin on the 54 has bunk beds instead of side-by-side twins and the power has been taken a step down from 1350s and 1050s on the 60 to IPS 950s in the 54. The top end with the smaller (a relative term) engines is still an impressive 34 knots.

During this year’s Palm Beach show my wife’s aunt and uncle, who own a Tiara 3200 (and who have made appearances in this magazine before), were in attendance to celebrate a birthday and experience their first major Florida boat show. I decided to play the role of yacht broker and regurgitated the high points of the 54 that were shared with me. I explained that the model we were on boasted the “social cockpit module” with seating where six to eight adults could enjoy an alfresco dinner, served from the grill just aft; I think Karen’s aunt Mary Ellen would enjoy that. There is also an option for an adventure module, which would likely be a better fit for her uncle Billy who enjoys fishing offshore. (Having a couple disagree right off the bat is probably not a smart broker move; I think I should stick with my day job.)

I showed off the helm to starboard with the mirrored seating to port that comes with its own MFD and Fusion stereo controls that allows the co-pilot to actually be part of the navigating journey. When it comes to navigating, my favorite party trick on the 54 is the joystick built into the starboard sliding arm rest. The ability to adjust the joystick position along with the massive side door allows the captain to stand on the side deck while docking. It essentially transforms a traditional helm into a wing station and simultaneously transforms the average boater into a docking hero.

I then showed off the area I think their kids and their friends would enjoy the most, a space where they could get away from mom and dad’s earshot and hangout: the bow lounge. Smart seating arrangements have really become a calling card of Tiara and this space exemplifies that ethos; it’s just incredibly versatile. You can lay around and soak up the sun as with a traditional sunpad but you are also ensconced with a seatback and cushioned sides that makes this a safe place to be underway. Tiara also incorporated actual handholds to drive home the element of safety. Side rant: One of the most dangerous things I see on the water these days are squirmy kids sitting on an open bow sunpad while underway in highly trafficked waters. One bad boat wake at the wrong angle and you very easily could have a kid-overboard situation. The bow lounge on the 54 negates that concern completely. Plus, with drink holders, stereo controls and phone chargers everywhere, there’s really no reason to leave.

I’m not sure I did much good convincing Mary Ellen or Billy to upgrade to the 54, but thankfully this is a boat that does most of the talking itself, with really smart features that real boaters would appreciate.

As for me, I’m still anxious to see what kind of personality our new addition has. I hope, like the 54 EX, he possesses all the great attributes from his big brother, just in a smaller package.

Tiara 54 EX Specifications:

LOA: 54’3”
Beam: 15’11”
Draft: 4’4”
Displ.: 48,400 lb.
Fuel: 650 gal.
Water: 135 gal.
Power: 2/725-hp Volvo Penta IPS950

This article originally appeared in the August/September 2024 issue of Power & Motoryacht magazine.

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