Tiara Yachts 4700 Sovran

Tiara Yachts is probably best known for their versatile Open series but they build a great cruising yacht and I recently had an opportunity to test, the 4700 Sovran. This is a rock-solid performer that features a resin infused hull for superior weight and strength characteristics.

Yacht Design & Functionality

Tiara Yachts has been building cruising boats for quite a while now, and the Sovran series has taken on a unique look. The convex shaped hull and integrated coupe top are not just about fashion, they also play a key role in the way the yacht functions. By utilizing a split hull mold Tiara is able to create this hull which works in the opposite manner that a “Carolina Flair” hull works by actually pushing the water away from the boat and creating a very dry ride. Other benefits of this engineering style include the recessed port lights, the molded-in full beam swim platform, and of course more valuable interior volume.

There were many features I liked about the 4700 Sovran, starting with the large 60” swim platform and huge storage trunk. They even added a water resistant locker for hanging clothes, jackets, etc. which saves on interior locker space. Moving up, the lower cockpit has molded in face-to-face seating and a removable teak table that stores away in the transom trunk. This is also where you will find the engine room access which is concealed under the aft facing lounge.

Engine Room Details

The engine room is clean and well laid out. All daily checks are easily accessible and there is an additional day hatch with access from the upper cockpit which adds more light and necessary air flow when you have to spend any significant amount of time down there. I also noticed that the four air conditioner compressors are remotely located in the engine room which helps to keep the noise out of the cabin while they are running.

At the Helm

Our test boat featured Tiara’s Savannah Edition cockpit upholstery upgrade which adds a very European feel. The option includes stylish exterior performance fabrics, teak floor and teak accents throughout the cockpit, and wood blinds in the interior. The upper cockpit has a molded-in lounge on the portside and a removable teak table that adds versatility to the space. The huge helm is located to starboard with plenty of room for the latest electronics package. Our test boat was outfitted with a Raymarine arrangement which Tiara now offers as an option straight from the factory. Also here, is a big double-wide Stidd® helm chair that is completely adjustable fore and aft, as well as up and down. This megayacht caliber helm chair provides serious traveling comfort. A wet bar is fitted aft of the helm chair and features refrigerator, storage, cutting surface, and sink.

Cabin Features

You enter the cabin though a centerline smoked acrylic door. Our cabin featured the standard rich teak wood and teak and holly solid wood floors--cherrywood an available option. At the base of the steps to the port is the galley. Here you will find a side-by-side Sub Zero® refrigerator and freezer, Corian® countertops, a convection/microwave oven and two burner cooktop recessed with Corian® covers. What you won’t find is a ton of storage which is one of the few things I can complain about on this boat. Forward of the galley is a large dinette with room for 4-5 adults to easily sit for dinner. A pair of nicely upholstered barrel chairs are adjacent the dinette as well as the large flat panel television. The entire boat is wired with a Bose® Lifestyle entertainment system for theatre quality sound.

The guest stateroom features upper and lower bunks and here you will find a fair amount of room to move around. The day head is accessed through the stateroom and features a Vacuflush toilet. The sink is located in the stateroom and there is a flush mounted flat panel television in there as well.

Moving all the way forward is where you find one of the jewels of this yacht. The master stateroom is quite large and features a queen sized berth with inner spring mattress, a pair of cedar-lined hanging lockers, and lots of storage for other necessities. The private master head has a beautiful Corian® inlaid floor, a big fiberglass shower stall, and plenty of storage.

Performance & Handling

I found the hull of the 4700 Sovran to be extremely solid. The ride felt effortless and heavy as I drove through the short chop. We settled in comfortably at 2000 RPM which gave us a 29 MPH cruise speed and range of over 300 statute miles. You could easily run her harder since the big Cummins 715 horsepower QSM11’s topped out at 2600 RPM and 39.2 MPH.

Tiara has a solid reputation and this battlewagon cruiser follows suit. A versatile and social cockpit arrangement is coupled with big interior space and rock solid performance.

• Top speed for the Tiara 4700 Sovran (2007-) is 39.2 mph (63.1 kph), burning 74.2 gallons per hour (gph) or 280.85 liters per hour (lph).


• Best cruise for the Tiara 4700 Sovran (2007-) is 29.0 mph (46.7 kph), and the boat gets 0.68 miles per gallon (mpg) or 0.29 kilometers per liter (kpl), giving the boat a cruising range of 322 miles (518.21 kilometers).


• Tested power is 2 x 715-hp Cummins QSM11 Diesels.