Tiara Yachts entered new territory with its EX 60 last year, and its EX 54 follows that same magic in a smaller package. Like the EX 60, the EX 54 has modular seating in the cockpit, allowing each owner to tailor the yacht to a specific mission.
My educated guess says that the Lounge module will be the most popular, with a pair of settees facing across a folding teak table. Not only does this setup make for great alfresco entertaining, but the aft settee also incorporates a sink, grill, fridge and optional ice maker across the transom.
The Adventure module has fishing written all over it, replacing the aft settee with more foot space and a console with five rod holders, tackle lockers, a cutting board and a sink.
The last module is the Glass Patio, which replaces the backrest of the aft settee with a laminated glass bulkhead so guests (and parents) can keep an eye on the watery action off the stern. I’d recommend the optional hydraulic platform (a 5-foot platform is standard) with steps descending into the water and built-in chocks to stow a tender. All the cockpit modules raise electrically to reveal a garage for water toys and gear.
Like many powerboats these days, the Tiara EX 54 has foldout hullsides to create extended cockpit space, but Tiara goes further with flush-mounted boarding doors on each side. This design makes for easy step-aboard access while leaving nothing to stub toes with the sides folded down.
Forward of the seating modules and up two steps on the mezzanine level is an aft-facing table with twin hassocks (with stowage). Forward of that and to port, with an electrically disappearing window, a pair of stools create a salon-facing bar. The adjacent two-panel sliding doors can open the salon entirely to the cockpit.
In the salon, which has a Herculan teak sole, a convertible dinette to port forms a berth by lowering the high-gloss teak table. (It’s the same size as the one on the EX 60.) The galley is fitted out for cruising, with a two-burner Kenyon induction cooktop, cookware, a microwave/convection oven, a two-drawer fridge and a stainless-steel sink. Behind the galley countertop is a pop-up 43-inch TV that faces the lounge. The absence of overhead cabinets makes for a panoramic view, with stowage in drawers and lockers.
Just forward, the skipper can use the sliding pilothouse door for easy side-deck access. This, along with a clever outboard sliding armrest on the Stidd double-wide helm seat, lets the skipper stand on the side deck and use the Volvo Penta joystick for docking. Overhead is a Webasto electric sunroof.
The dash is fitted with Volvo Penta’s Glass Cockpit, including two 22-inch Garmin GPSMap 8622 displays and a row of backlit buttons for systems. The equipment includes a Garmin autopilot, Fantom 54 radar, VHF radio and aft-facing cockpit camera.
Opposite the helm is a double-wide companion seat that, at the push of a button, slides aft so everyone can join in the action while running to the next waypoint. The seat also slides forward to create a U-shaped dinette. That companion seat has a console with an optional Garmin GPSMap 8622.
Step down into the airy, bright atrium from salon level, and a door leads forward from the foyer to the VIP stateroom with a walk-around island queen berth. It lifts to reveal lighted stowage for suitcases. A door allows private access to the guest head—also off the foyer—with a VacuFlush head and stall shower. Across the foyer is a second stateroom, ideally for kids, with bunk berths.
The full-beam owner’s stateroom is aft with 6-foot-5-inch headroom and a queen-size pedestal berth. The EX 54 that I got aboard had the full bureau to starboard. (A settee is optional.) The space had 23 drawers for extended cruising, plus a cedar-lined hanging locker like the ones in the other staterooms. A GE washer-dryer was tucked away in the passageway to this stateroom, and the private head included a Lacava vessel sink, stowage and a stall shower.
Going forward on deck is made secure by solid coamings capped by stainless-steel rails. The bow area has a multiuse lounge with sun pads and a removable table. The all-chain windlass is tucked under a hatch, with a wired remote as well as helm controls. I liked the two walkways on each side of the windlass locker, allowing deck crew to look down securely on the anchor.
Power for the EX 54 is twin Volvo Penta IPS2 950 diesels paired to pod drives, and the engine room is clearly arranged for service techs or hands-on owners. A five-step ladder leads down from the cockpit, and everything from the oil changers and seacocks to the 13.5 kW Onan genset is readily accessible.
Underway, the EX 54 is pure fun. We started our runs in smooth water on the Intracoastal Waterway, where I checked a 33.7-knot top speed and indulged in some doughnuts and swoops. I recorded just 70 decibels at full throttle with the sunroof open, making conversation easy. Once offshore, the yacht’s fine entry and 14-degree transom deadrise handled the lumpy Gulf Stream, throwing spray far to the side and providing a smooth, predictable, stable ride. I didn’t need handrails, but I did take note that Tiara has provided a plethora of them, often neatly concealed (next to the forward sun pad, for example).
Whether for entertaining, cruising with friends, fishing or simply enjoying the water, the Tiara Yachts EX 54 can be tailored to fit many owners’ ideas of fun.
Pod Power
This second-generation Volvo Penta diesel IPS2 950 pod-drive system punches out 750 hp, driving through a 1.7:1 gearbox with a jack shaft that allows the engines to sit closer to the center of the yacht. With Volvo’s P4 props, cruise speed was 26 knots for a range of about 300 nautical miles.
Built To Take It
The EX 54 has a no-wood hull. The yacht’s hull, deck and topsides are backed by closed-cell foam coring that provides strength as well as soundproofing. A fiberglass grid supports the engines and interior, adding strength and rigidity.
Garmin Glass Cockpit
Optimized for use with Volvo Penta power, this user-friendly interface combines navigation (a chart plotter, GPS, sonar and radar) with operations (engine data and multitouch systems screens). Preloaded with BlueChart G3 coastal charts, it provides detail to 1 foot with contours for fishing, as well as depth shading and shallow-water warnings.
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