New Riviera 61 makes waves

To celebrate the world release of the new 61 Series II Enclosed Flybridge, Riviera hosted a pre-launch of the new vessel by towing 12 professional water-skiers the length of the Gold Coast’s Broadwater.

The Sydney owners of this latest model Riv recently took delivery their new $2.75 million vessel and wanted to do something special to celebrate its launch before it is officially released to the world at the 2011 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show on May 19.

The new 61 Series II packs a thumping 3100hp and with 12 professional water-skiers in tow, the the new boat certainly turned heads as she cruised up the Broadwater.

Riviera’s director of brand and communication Stephen Milne said it was a very impressive scene.

"To see this magnificent vessel towing 12 professional water-skiers carrying the Riviera flags was certainly spectacular and is the first time in Australia that a Riviera has towed so many water-skiers," Mr Milne said.

"The owners of this vessel were so excited when they took delivery last month that they wanted to do something unique to celebrate the launch."

The owners said they had been avid water skiers for the past 28 years so to have Riviera launch their new vessel with 12 professional water-skiers in tow was quite fitting.

They said they were extremely impressed with the finished result after buying the boat off the plan at the Sydney International Boat Show last year.

"It was absolutely what we thought it would be. The three-dimensional view of the boat gave us a good indication of what it was going to look like and how it was going to work, it’s just unbelievable," they said.

"We watched the boat coming together through the build process and after the Sanctuary Cove Boat Show we will head north to Hamilton Island.

"We look forward to relaxing and unwinding on board. We plan to stay at the outer reefs and with a larger fuel load and water-making capacity we can do it easily."

For more information, go to www.riviera.com.au