First ever Riviera 68 Sports Motor Yacht in build

Following more than two years of research, design and development, construction of the first Riviera Sports Motor Yacht is now well advanced at the boatbuilder's yard on the Gold Coast. The hull and deck of the new 68 Sports Motor Yacht model has now been joined and a full-sized mock-up of the interior — virtually indistinguishable from the end boat — is on show for prospective buyers.

The 68 and 72ft (with extended cockpit) Sports Motor Yacht models will feature up to four luxurious staterooms and optional crew accommodation. Power comes via standard twin V12 MAN 1550hp engines coupled with the Seatorque oil-filled shaft system that reduces engine vibration and improves tracking.

The first of the two new models, the 68 shown here as an impressive looking hull mould, will officially launch at the 50th Sydney International Boat Show in August, 2017. By the time that boat splashes, more than 650 working days will have been employed by the Riviera team creating this new class of Sports Motor Yacht.

The Sports Motor Yacht range follows a lengthy design and consultation process to ensures these two boats and future models fulfill the long-held, long-range cruising dreams of their owners. These will be very exportable Rivieras to places like New Zealand, North America, the Middle East and Europe, too.

CUSTOMER CONSULTATION
Riviera says extensive consultation with existing owners and enthusiasts laid the foundations for its new Sports Motor Yacht class, adding that the process was all about creating the ultimate dream yacht from the world get-go.

The feedback shows Riviera boaters want to head further afield for extended periods, to be able to fish effectively, and enjoy myriad other water sports pursuits including diving, snorkelling and kayaking, all in luxurious comfort.

Preliminary designs were drafted for discussion with Riviera's new model development team, which includes engineers, master craftsmen and senior management. Experienced Riviera owners provided further feedback, too.

A full-sized walk-through mock-up of the interior has now been created for online virtual tours and for would-be owners to experience what the new 68 and 72 Sports Motor Yachts will be like in the flesh or fibreglass as it were.

MAN, MULDER AND MORE
The base engines for the Sports Motor Yachts are 1550hp MAN V12s (up to 1900hp) coupled to Aquamet 22 Seatorque oil-filled shafts, struts and glands. These are in turn hitched to Twin Disc remote-mounted Quickshift gearboxes, which integrate with the (hydraulic) Express Joystick System.

Riviera partnered with naval architects Mulder Design in the Netherlands, renowned as the designers of some of the fastest motor yachts in the world, to design the hull.

Extensive tank testing at the Wolfson Institute Unit for Marine Technology & Industrial Dynamics at the University of Southampton, England, revealed that the new hull will be capable at varying speeds in a wide range of offshore conditions.

As you can see, it's a long journey from concept to construction and new-model creation. We'll bring you more from the build of Riviera's new 68 and 72 Sports Motor Yacht (extended cockpit version) as it comes to hand.

Along with hundreds of interested boaters, we took a tour of the full sized mock-up of the new new 68 and 72 Sports Motor Yacht at the Riviera Festival from March 17-19 at the Coomera Yard.

The walk-through of the interior revealed American sizing — read wide companionways and plenty of headroom — an especially innovative saloon with central galley, and a huge forward lounge area behind the windscreen. The lower crew quarters and utility space has internal and external access.

These are mighty Rivieras by any measure.

Specifications and more on the new Rivieras at www.riviera.com.au.