The newest addition to the Tiara Luxury Express (LE) series is also the smallest, coming in at 39 feet, 6 inches, but the array of features and smart use of space the builder incorporated makes this boat feel much larger than its LOA would suggest.
When figuring out how to blend the versatile interior and exterior spaces in this new model, Tiara didn’t have to look far. The design team flipped through the company history book and pulled inspiration from their inboard-powered Open express models that were hugely popular with both cruisers and anglers.
Walking up to the 39 LE, I did see some similarities to Tiara’s Open models, mostly because of the enclosed helm deck. The drop-down aft terrace and twin Mercury 600-hp outboards standing upright on the transom, however, quickly proved this vessel is a highly advanced descendant.
Boatbuilders often talk about zones when describing their boats, breaking a vessel down by cockpit, salon, helm, and cabin. The Tiara LE does such a great job blending the cockpit with the enclosed helm deck that there are really just two main areas: interior and exterior, and they flow together naturally.
The cockpit space is dominated by Tiara’s signature rotating buffet lounge which features a cushy bench seat on one side and an electric grill, cooler and toy storage on the other. By rotating the lounge you can create numerous configurations in the cockpit; drop down the portside terrace and rotate the lounge 45 degrees to face the bonus deck space, or spin it fully to bring the grill closer to the enclosed salon area and provide seating facing aft. And on those blazing hot days, you can open the awning which expands out of the hardtop with the push of a button. Rounding out the cockpit is a mezzanine style seat with a removable teak table (that can be moved to the L-shaped lounge on the helm deck) and a fridge to starboard.
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Under the cockpit lies a mechanical space that is expertly designed to provide easy access to the generator, Seakeeper gyro, filters, seacocks, switches and more. The rigging is tidy and everything is labeled to make routine checks quick and efficient.
The enclosed helm space doubles as an exterior salon and I loved the openness of the space, making it easy to converse with friends with their toes in the water on the aft deck. The Stidd captain’s chair swings inward so you can face your guests when you’re not running the boat. This space also drew inspiration from the 39 Open, with an L-shaped lounge to port, but Tiara modernized this seating area big time, designing a seriously robust, chromed-out mechanism to convert the lounge to a forward-facing companion seat. That seat unlatches electronically and features gas springs to effortlessly pull it from flat up into a proper co-pilot position. I particularly liked how the seat elevates to the same height as the captain’s. This provides excellent sightlines and puts the passenger—or lookout—at eye level with the captain.
The starboard helm is visually stunning with teak accents and twin 17-inch Garmin screens loaded with an Empirbus digital-switching system that’s been customized for the 39 LE. Tiara mounted the engine controls on one side of the wheel and the joystick on the other. The VHF mic is placed alongside the helm chair and out of the way.
Prepping the boat for our sea trial, we opened up the large Webasto power sunroof and slid the side windows open to let the air flow through the space. Having the ability to open up the enclosed helm completely changes the space and we had the perfect conditions for it, what my dad would call a “Windex day,” with cloudless blue skies.
Tiara designed the 39 LE specifically for twin Mercury V-12 outboards and with 500 gallons of fuel on board you’re looking at a cruising range of more than 250 miles. These 600-hp outboards have a two-speed transmission which pushes the 39 LE up to cruise in a blink. I never lost any horizon as there was little bow rise. The boat cruised comfortably at 34 knots at 5,000 rpm. Seas in Tampa Bay were less than one foot with a slight wind chop on top. It was nothing for the 39 LE which cut right through any waves and wakes and never kicked up a drop of spray. The standard Zipwake Dynamic Trim Control system keeps the running attitude level with no forethought. Pushing the throttles all the way down, the boat topped out at 45 knots and because of the big windshield, it really didn’t feel like we were moving anywhere near that speed. You could still easily converse as the boat carved through the water.
The entryway to the cabin is on centerline, with a sliding door. I prefer this configuration as you don’t have to step in front of or around anyone to go downstairs. And if you leave the door open, it lets the folks in the cabin feel included in the conversation on deck.
The cabin is light and airy thanks to hull-side windows and overhead hatches. The head has a proper stand-up shower enclosure, and the forward queen-sized berth is easy to move around in, with tons of storage. The courtesy lighting, woodwork and wall coverings give the boat a very posh, yacht-like feel. The lower galley offers a sink, microwave, cooktop and two refrigerator drawers. The aft stateroom feels very open because it’s not walled in and the floating stairs allow light into the space. You don’t feel like you’re in a coffin when you lay down for a nap. You don’t often see this volume of interior living space on a boat less than 40 feet.
The Tiara 39 LE is a transformer of sorts. It’s part cabin cruiser, part dayboat, and it certainly makes a statement with the different cockpit configurations available. Tiara’s definition of an express boat has come a long way and the 39 LE fits nicely with the wants and needs of today’s boaters.
Tiara 39 LE Specifications:
LOA: 39’6”
Beam: 12’6”
Draft: 3’6”
Displ.: 22,850 lb.
Fuel: 500 gal.
Water: 50 gal.
Power: 2/1,200-hp Mercury V12
This article originally appeared in the April 2026 issue of Power & Motoryacht magazine.
