2022 Riviera 78 Motor Yacht review

But Riviera is always sensitive to customer needs. There’s a demand out there for ever-larger motor yachts with long-range cruising ability and no compromise on comforts, and this is where the all-new Riviera 78 Motor Yacht steps in.

The 25-metre Riviera 78 Motor Yacht is the Gold Coast-based company’s largest model to date.

What has made this new flagship model possible – and potentially an even larger one if rumours swirling ahead of the 2022 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show prove true – is a multimillion-dollar investment in Riviera’s production line to increase production by more than 20 per cent. Part of the focus has been on adding sheds large enough to build new boats up to 100 feet in length.

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The Riviera 78 Motor Yacht, then, is the first of the new generation of Rivieras that could one day start to push the boundaries of superyacht status.

The Riviera 78 Motor Yacht sits at the peak of Riviera’s 22 different sedan and flybridge models that spread across nine lines. The “Motor Yacht” in its title shows that the 78 belongs to Riviera’s new specialist line of accomplished bluewater cruisers – boats that its owners can take to far-flung places.

The Riviera 78 Motor Yacht comes with three levels of living, including a flybridge deck that can be specified as either a climate-controlled enclosed or open bridge deck layout.

Riviera has worked with its internal design team and called in the expertise of Italian superyacht designer Luca Vallebona to imbue the 78 Motor Yacht with an international flavour. 

The emphasis is on liveability, with accommodation for up to four couples and two crew, vast outdoor and indoor living zones, and a level of comfort that sets it apart from everything else.

The honour of being Riviera's flagship vessel means the Riviera 78 Motor Yacht comes with an equally impressive price tag.

The base price of a Riviera 78 Motor Yacht is around $6.6 million, give or take. But this is a boat that is highly customisable according to owner demands, so the price of each finished boat to come off the production line – and there are plenty already in the queue – will vary greatly.

For instance, Hull No.1, our boat for this review that will have its official Australian debut at the 2022 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show and will eventually tour the US boat show circuit, has an enclosed flybridge and plenty of undercover areas. Hull No.2, being built for a south-east Asian customer, will have a focus on outdoor living with a reconfigured cockpit, making it very different.

All owners, though, will end up with a luxury motor yacht capable of reaching remote anchorages, fitted with four staterooms, a large saloon, flybridge with day head, mezzanine, forward and aft cockpit and a swim deck that lifts up out of the water to become a diving platform or lowers to provide easy water access.

Each Riviera 78 Motor Yacht will come with a hydraulic teak-covered swim platform that also provides walk-in access to the engine room via a pantograph door. The swim deck also faces a large transom toy garage with an air compressor and freshwater shower.

Outdoor seating areas use Sunbrella fabric, with optional sunshades for exposed areas such as the foredeck. 

The standard engines fitted to the Riviera 78 Motor Yacht are a pair of 1550hp MANs sitting on anti-vibration engine mounts and fitted to Twin Disc quick-shift gearboxes driving five-blade propellers. Our test boat is fitted with optional 2000hp MANs.

The engines also come with three joystick controls – one at the flybridge helm, and two aft and to either side of the flybridge deck – to give the skipper more precise control over low-speed manoeuvres such as reversing into a berth. As well as the engines, the joystick controls work with hydraulic bow and stern thrusters to give a high degree of control over the boat’s movement.

On-board electrical needs, such as the various air conditioning systems, are provided via twin 29kW/60hz Onan generators. The Riviera 78 Motor Yacht uses CZone digital switching technology to make everything from balancing the electrical demands of the boat depending on whether it is running, anchored up or safe in the marina to adjusting the hue of the lights.

The Riviera 78 Motor Yacht even comes equipped with 400 watts of solar panel that can trickle-charge the house batteries servicing the flybridge.

When the boat is tied up, a Siren Marine remote monitoring system provides smartphone-based access to alarms such as bilge pumps and motion sensors, as well as providing the ability to remotely switch on components such as lights and air conditioning.

The Riviera 78 Motor Yacht is built on top of an all-new hull that’s hand-laid at Riviera’s Coomera boat-building facility on the Gold Coast, Queensland. The hull is more flared at the front to throw spray away and includes the traditional deep vee forward that gives the Riviera range its renowned sea-keeping ability.

Below the waterline the hull is solid fibreglass; above it the Riviera 78 Motor Yacht uses a cored deck and topsides. Where possible the forward compartment is foam-filled to reduce noise, isolate heat and add strength.

The boat is built on the same production line as other Riviera models and will use the same manufacturing process that precisely measures the quantity of materials used in each step of the build to ensure consistency.

Forward, the Riviera 78 Motor Yacht has a collision bulkhead built into the forepeak, while aft the 10,200-litre fuel tanks split between a 3200-litre keel tank and twin 3500-litre wing tanks to either side sit just behind amidships to provide a balanced weight distribution.

An engine room with full standing headroom was an important part of the Rivera 78 Motor Yacht’s design brief. As well as a forward access door, there is a large hatch in the mezzanine level that lifts up to provide engine room access and a pantograph door in the transom. 

This is the first Riviera model to come with stabiliser fins as standard – they are optional on the likes of the Riviera 72 Sports Motor Yacht. The 78 uses twin carbonfibre Humphree Interceptor fins that automatically adjust to adjust trim and counter list while underway.

One of the features of the Riviera 78 Motor Yacht’s design is a distinctive single-look hull window that runs along about half the hull’s length.

The large flybridge extends well aft past the saloon to provide a solid roof above the mezzanine. This allows the mezzanine to be fully enclosed with clears, extending the amount of indoor living space when the weather won’t allow outdoor use – this version of the 78 includes air conditioning to the mezzanine to cool it when enclosed.

The foredeck has a space built into the middle of the forward cockpit to store a tender, lifted and deployed using a davit mounted to port.

The Portofino-style aft cockpit is fitted with capstan winches to help with docking.

The Riviera 78 Motor Yacht features a design that maximises living space, split into distinct zones racing from fully outdoors to cosseting indoors and onboard storage options.

At this price point, owners want a bit of a say in the layout of the boat depending on how they will use it. For instance, while Hull No.1 of our test boat features spaces with better weather protection and space for a tender, Hull No.2 will be optimised for outdoor living without the need to have tender access.

The swim deck and lower cockpit are four steps down from a mezzanine that can be fully enclosed to provide extended all-weather space. Facing them is the large transom toy garage, and a fair-weather pantograph access door to the engine room.

Two steps up from the mezzanine and along wide and high-railed side decks – each side features a door that gives easy access to high docks – is the large foredeck space that on Hull No.1 includes a large lounge built around space to store a tender.

The Riviera 78 Motor Yacht’s saloon deck includes an aft galley with full-size appliances, and a large lounge space forward. A companionway leading below decks is forward to starboard.

The saloon features plenty of comfortable seating – one lounge is offset rather than square to mix up the space, while a large dinette, lounge with ottoman and wet bar fill the sides.

Two staircases are built into the port side of the saloon. The lower one, facing forward, descends into the crew/utility room depending on how the owner has commissioned the build. The upper one, facing aft and featuring floating stairs so that it does not interfere with the view outside the deep windows, leads to the flybridge.

Upstairs, the flybridge features a central helm with extra seating so guests can join the skipper up top while making passage.

Aft of that is an entertaining space with a wet bar and another glass bulkhead with an automatic sliding door. Step outside, and to starboard is a day head – handy for the skipper because they don’t need to go below to use the bathroom while underway.

The upper cockpit extends back to almost overhang the transom below. Beamy and deep, it has a wet bar and more dining/lounge space that can be separated from other parts of the boat.

Downstairs, the companionway leads into an atrium branching off to the staterooms. Forward is the VIP stateroom built with a queen-size bed, ensuite and plenty of storage, to one side are two single beds that can join to form a double, to the other L-shaped bunks, and aft is the full-beam master stateroom with a king-size bed, separate toilet and shower spaces.

The engine room is a delight to step inside. Everything has its space and all service and inspection points are accessible via a wide central walkway. 

Notice anything different about the Riviera 78 Motor Yacht’s logo? Yes, it has added a couple of wings to denote that this is a vessel that will encourage its owners to spread their wings and soar far and wide in search of adventure.

Saloon access is via a central sliding glass door built into the bulkhead. Push the button, and the door silently slips into the bulkhead, closing behind you as you walk through.

Immediately in front is the galley, with a full-size twin fridge and freezer built into the corner of the port bulkhead. To starboard is the solid-surface galley space filled with a brand-name dishwasher, convection cooktop and two stacked convection microwave ovens.

The window behind the galley drops electronically to connect the mezzanine, creating an alfresco dining space. The space also includes a CZone touchscreen, giving control over lighting and audio in the space.

Move forward, and the saloon space opens up before you. This is a premium space filled with a soft-touch roof with direct and indirect lighting, 

Deep windows to either side give an almost 360-degree view, while electric-adjust blinds close the space off.

A large L-shaped lounge is to port, sitting atop a large rug that is large enough to also accommodate a large ottoman. On the port side is another couch, next to an electrically locking pantograph door providing quick and easy access to the side deck.

A single Kensington-style armchair finishes off the decor.

Tucked into the portside forward corner is a wet bar with a wine fridge.

The entire area is clad in easy-maintenance vinyl flooring and finished in high-gloss timber.

A surprise is a wireless smartphone charger built into the portside benchtop next to the staircase to the flybridge.

Upstairs, the enclosed flybridge is split between the tasks of driving and entertaining.

The helm takes up the entire forward section of the flybridge, framed in a low, wide dashboard facing three leather captain’s chairs with a central helm station.

Above is a large sunroof and a pair of side-by-side displays showing the real-time status of the MAN turbocharged diesel engines thrumming softly below.

The dash, behind a three-panel windscreen, is made up of four 24-inch Garmin screens arrayed side-by-side, set up here to show everything needed for a high-speed run.

All three seats are large and comfortable, positioning you high behind the helm with a commanding view of the water around the boat.

The skipper’s chair has electric adjustment to make it easy to find a comfortable position, while overhead is a large sunroof. An extension of the dash to starboard houses the autopilot connected to the Riviera’s electro-hydraulic steering, the throttle controls and the joystick.

Deciding which controls will steer the boat – either the steering wheel and throttle or the joystick – is as simple as pushing a button.

The dash layout is simple and elegant, with plenty of small-item storage. To either side of the steering wheel are gauges showing the rudder angle, the angles of the Humphree stabiliser fins, and real-time information about the status of the Twin Disc gearboxes.

Behind the helm, the space makes way for entertaining. To starboard is a large L-shaped couch with a matching ottoman, backing onto the glass bulkhead that fully encloses the forward section of the bridge deck.

The bulkhead comprises two large sliding glass panels that slide back to create a large open space onto the open aft section of the flybridge. Part of this area is shaded by the hardtop, with further protection provided via a fixed awning.

A highlight here is an enclosed head serving the bridge deck; the skipper doesn’t have to duck below to use the facilities.

Let’s start with the aft bridge deck. Offset to port from the head is a wet bar with room for a pair of bar stools, while to starboard is a large U-shaped lounge with a fold-out table that, with a fill-in cushion, can drop down to create a sunbed. 

There’s enough open teak-lined deck space here to stretch out a couple of recliners to soak up the sun.

Downstairs, the mezzanine directly outside the saloon gives an amphitheatre-like view over the large teak-trimmed lower cockpit and swim deck.

The three-section swim deck is clever; drop it right down and it provides effortless ingress and egress to the water, lift it all the way up and it’s a great jumping platform for the kids.

You can also frame the swim deck with a series of lift-out gates for a sport fishing session.

Up front, Hull No.1 of the Riviera 78 Motor Yacht features a huge U-shaped, teak floored lounge snug up against the saloon and slightly offset to starboard to make room for a davit used to lift a dinghy. 

The aft section of the lounge includes a table that folds back to give extra clearance for the dinghy, as well as easy ingress/egress access to the side deck.

The Riviera 78 Motor Yacht is set up to accommodate three couples in the king-size master, queen-size VIP and slide-together double stateroom, as well as another two people in a stateroom with bunks at right angles to each other.

The natural light-filled master suite, two steps down from the atrium, occupies the entire internal beam of the boat. At its centre is a large bed framed in a timber feature wall that demonstrates the skills of the craftspeople who have put a combined 72,000 hours into building the Riviera 78 Motor Yacht.

Against one hull is a large desk with a built-in make-up station, and against the other is a settee. The forward ensuite has the head opposite the shower, with his and hers washbasins in between. There is also a standing room-height walk-in closet space.

The forward VIP stateroom features a step up to queen-size bed in the bow and aligned with the keel. There’s plenty of cupboard space, including below the bed, and a private ensuite that, like the master, includes heated towel rails.

Long windows let in natural light, as do a pair of skylights above. A high-set mirror up against the forepeak gives a sense that the space is larger than it is.

In between the master and VIP suites are the guest suites. To port is a pair of single beds with access to a forward bathroom that is shared with a suite that contains a set of single bunks at right angles to each other.

Both have ample standing headroom and storage space.

A unique feature of this boat is hidden catches on all the cabinet doors. 

The set of stairs that descend from the saloon leads down to a space that could be either a utility room for those owners who like to operate the boat themselves or as a crew room for a liveaboard skipper.

It has its own side-by-side washing machine and drier, and even a clever fold-out ironing board that tucks away neatly when not in use. A single bunk is up against the bulkhead, and a full standing height wet head is in the opposite corner.

This space also has forward access to the engine room and the pantograph door that provides aft access to the engine room.

Sit down at the helm and you’re faced with some pretty incredible numbers; a combined 4000hp via the twin throttle levers and more than 60 tonnes of high-end fibreglass, timber and stainless steel beneath you.

While that may sound intimidating, it’s not. The reason for this is the joystick control that combines with both engines and the bow and stern thrusters to take the pain out of maneuvering the Riviera 78 Motor Yacht.

Sitting in the middle of the Gold Coast Broadwater, it’s easy to just twist and tweak the joystick to move the big motor yacht like it was a dinghy.

Twist the knob and the boat spins in its own length. Pull sideways, and the Riviera 78 Motor Yacht crabwalks slowly in that direction. Twist and pull at the same time and the big yacht peels away like a jet fighter in slow motion.

This sort of stuff breaks one of the last barriers to large boat ownership, especially for those owners who like to drive themselves.

Transferring control from the joystick to the steering wheel and throttle levers is a simple matter of pushing a button located at the base of the throttle binnacle.

With your head sitting around 4.0 metres above the waterline at the helm, the view forward and to the sides is commanding.

The big 24-litre 90-degree V12s powering our test boat are imperceptible at idle. Move the throttle levers forward, and there’s still no engine noise or vibration as the revs build.

In the meantime, the Humphree stabiliser fins are working away below the waterline to make the transition up onto the plane as smooth as possible, the gauge tucked in next to the steering wheel showing the status of their constant adjustment.

The Humphrees make the transition up onto the plane almost imperceptible, with no squat from the rear of the big Riviera as it crosses the hump.

Power up even more, and before you realise it the boat is sitting on more than 30 knots in almost total silence.

Spin the wheel, and the fins perform their next party trick. Instead of tipping into the turn, the Riviera 78 Motor Yacht sits flat as the stabilisers counter the lean to leave the boat sitting flat on the water.

On test, the Riviera 78 Motor Yacht will sit comfortably at 19 knots turning over at 1900rpm, using around 300 litres an hour. That’s good for a range of almost 570 nautical miles, or from Sydney to Fraser Island in less than 30 hours.

Performance

*Both engines
Maximum range based on 90% reserve for 10,200L fuel tank: 569nm @ 1600rpm

The Riviera 78 Motor Yacht easily cements itself as the flagship of the Australian maker’s growing portfolio of cruisers.

It follows the Riviera ethos that it must be comfortable to live aboard, but still capable of long-range bluewater cruising, encouraging owners to go out and explore the world around them.

Its clever zoning creates multiple spaces for those aboard to either come together or find alone time, something that’s rare on a boat with single-level living.

Hull No.2 will have quite a different layout to our test boat – when it is revealed it should demonstrate the versatility of the 78’s design as it adapts to different markets and needs.

The real test of the Riviera 78 Motor Yacht will be the number of new owners it can attract. With the order book rumoured to be stretching into double digits and delivery dates for new customers blowing out to late 2025, it appears to have already passed with flying colours.

Priced from: $6,600,000 including

Price as tested: TBA including