4 must-have used Rivieras celebrating 40 years of history

That single model has since spawned into a showroom of more than 20 boats renowned worldwide for their ability to make passage in a mix of conditions and on a cloud of luxury.

But go back to that very first motor yacht and all the hallmarks that make Riviera what it is today are in the DNA of the 38, including a large cockpit, spacious flybridge, twin-engine cruising performance, and accommodation for up to five people.

From that point on, Riviera’s models just became better as buyer tastes, build technologies and the brand’s growing global reputation all matured.

If you can’t afford a new Riviera, the next best option is to scout around for an older one. We trawl through the boatsales.com.au listings to find five Riviera classics we’d own in a heartbeat, without breaking the bank.

The mid-1980s were a significant period for Riviera. In 1985, the brand launched the 52, its largest model yet.

However, there was a much more important model launched that year – the 46, the first Riviera motor yacht to enter the potentially lucrative European market.

What this means is that if you want a boat made to truly European standards, start looking for a Riviera motor yacht made after 1985.

This particular Riviera has caught our eye, given that it has historical links back to that first-ever 38, but it was built in a factory turning its mind to highly demanding export markets.

Similar to the original 38 but now up to Mk III specification, this model still has five berths (the dinette converts into a temporary space for another couple) but includes two showers, one in the head and the other on the transom.

Based in Perth, it’s set up for extended cruising with a flybridge wrapped in clears, a tender, a genset to provide onboard power and fairly modern electronics, according to the seller’s description.

This Riv is set up for an offshore lifestyle, with a covered cockpit and clears-enclosed flybridge. It’s also set up as a serious offshore fishing package with outriggers.

The engine hours are high, but a well-maintained Volvo Penta shaftdrive system should give many more hours of strong performance.

In the late 1990s, Riviera moved into a new factory and celebrated the occasion with the release of a smart-looking new model called the Riviera 3000 Offshore.

Small, fast, and featuring a superyacht-style stainless steel targa arch across the cockpit, the 3000 Offshore was a shrunken-down version of the 4000 Offshore, a boat designed to go head-to-head with a range of imported sports cruisers flooding the Australian market.

But Riviera’s product was distinctly different, featuring economical diesel shaft drives in a market where petrol-fuelled sterndrives were the importers’ default.

Made for a couple to enjoy, the Riviera 3000 Offshore featured a forward open cabin – nothing aft – and made the most of its cockpit space, an important consideration in sun-loving Australia.

A 3.49-metre beam helped the Riviera 3000 Offshore feel larger than it was. However, because the downstairs space was dedicated to weekend accommodation, the galley and gas grill were above in the open cockpit.

We like this one becaue it’s one of the later, improved Series II models featuring the dual 385hp Volvo Penta engine upgrade, meaning it comes packing more performance than a standard boat.

One of the most versatile boats ever made at Riviera is the 57 Enclosed Flybridge.
Introduced at the 2015 Sydney International Boat Show, the bluewater cruiser was built off the hull of the smaller 53, but significantly refined to add a kedge and extra strength to handle more powerful engines.

The 18.5-metre Riviera 57 Enclosed Flybridge showed the Commera-based boat-builder could significantly increase the amount of living space it could accommodate in its length.

It also became the showcase for new technology, featuring triple Volvo Penta Glass Bridge displays that included features such as automated routing and dial control direct from the helm chair.

Fast with 34 knot-plus performance when needed, yet able to range up to 400nm at cruising speeds, means you’ll be able to reach remote anchorages with confidence, yet easily outrun bad weather when needed.

There are a few Riviera 57 Enclosed Flybridge models for sale on boatsales.com.au, but happen to like this one because it has the upgraded Volvo Penta IPS 1200 engines, as well as a gyroscope for smoothing out the rough either under way or at anchor.

If ever there was a boat for making the big loop of Australia in comfort and confidence, this is it.