Riviera 4300 Sports Express 2025 review

“Boating is all about enjoying that special place and sharing family time together; to meet up with friends, relax, explore, swim, snorkel or paddleboard,” said Riviera owner Rodney Longhurst during the 4300 Sports Express' launch at the 2025 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show.

“This is where the Sports Express excels, as the entire stern of the yacht is free and open to allow exceptional access to the water for your maximum enjoyment.”

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To meet its brief, the Gold Coast company undertook some major design changes, including swapping the open cockpit on its SUVs and the raised aft deck on its sports yachts for a fully covered, yet open helm.

Another key to the design concept was the 4300’s ability to exceed 30 knots, which is where the 'Sports' moniker comes into the picture.

The overall layout leans towards open plan at deck and below deck, with the latter able to accommodate up to three cabins with a shared bathroom and central lounge with galley. On deck, there are cockpits both fore and aft, plus the huge swim platform with wet bar and barbecue.

Riviera doesn’t generally advertise its prices, but you'd be looking around the $1.7 million mark. The Riviera 4300 Sports Express has some key ingredients that sets it and the new range apart: Volvo pod-drive motors that allow easy manoeuvring and claim more economy than their shaft-driven equivalents; joystick controls for controlled handling; maximised living space; and a design that is aimed at Australian boaters – a sturdy, offshore hull with deep vee and quality ancillary equipment.

The engine room, accessible from the aft deck, houses the twin Volvo Penta D6-IPS600 480hp engines with a single GRP fuel tank – easily checked with a sight gauge.

Between the engines are the pod-drive transmissions, with the battery box off to port. There’s visibility of the service points – filters and switchboards, plus the 9.5kVa Onan generator.

The batteries are sensibly placed above bilge level, as are switches and other components, while the bilges have sufficient depth to cope with a leak. The inboard bilge has the space for an optional Seakeeper gyro.

Stored power uses safer lithium-ion phosphate batteries with an inbuilt safety battery management ystem. This is controlled by the trusty Czone digital switching system. Other monitoring systems include cameras for the anchor, stern and engine room – integrated to the helm displays – plus there's Sentinel remote monitoring and control. This is a comprehensive fit-out which gives the owner peace of mind.

The first hull gave me quite a surprise because of the ‘Sea Deck’ – a fully covered aft deck hardtop that overhangs the stern-located electric barbecue.

There are lockers beneath the barbecue benchtop for water toys: a deep one on port for two paddleboards, while the starboard steps lift to reveal a locker for an underwater scooter (like a Seabob or the tender fuel tank). Outboard, there is room for a 2.7m inflatable on chocks, launched via the hydraulic platform.

The stern cockpit lounge has a stylish hand-crafted teak table which folds out to allow formal dining or lowers to become a generous day bed. This is a very versatile space; ideal for parents overseeing kids playing in the water or for entertaining.

Alternatively, just sit-back and relax and, if the sun’s rays are too fierce, simply turn on the aircon and flick on the drop-down television. The entire area is weatherproof and finished in synthetic teak, so can be easily hosed out.

On the foredeck there's a triple sunbed with drink holders on each side and a clever table that folds out from under the separate forward lounge. There’s a cool box for drinks, stereo speakers, USB charge points and the option of a Euro-style awning; and you can relax because there is a quality Australian Muir windlass with an optional 21kg Ultra stainless anchor with 50m of chain.

Cleating is the usual oversized and quality Riviera standard, with gleaming stainless fairleads on the gunwales.

Inside the saloon are two large L-shaped lounges, opposite one another, along with the second food preparation station or wet bar (that houses a drawer fridge, icemaker, sink, storage and benchtop space). There's also a quality Fusion sound system to get the boat rockin’.

At the starboard helm, other quality finishes include double bucket seats and an ergonomic dashboard with Garmin instrumentation. There are twin 12-inch screens for navigation and a seven-inch screen for monitoring the Volvo Penta engine systems.

The throttles and IPS joystick are outboard, allowing the skipper to lean-out the sliding window (or use the remote joystick on the port quarter, as I did) while berthing. The latest throttle controls come with several practical features. These include a slow-speed option (like engaging low gear in a car) and a cruise control button option to adjust engine revs.

This allows travel at a consistent, low speed in no-wash zones or when you want to enjoy the surrounding environment. Another button disengages the gear box, so the engines can rev freely – a handy feature following service works.

Yet another option available is Volvo Penta Assisted Docking, which is an excellent position-holding feature I've used on other Rivieras. Sitting on the comfy bolster seat, the view aft gives me clear sightlines when looking astern – fact, all round the ‘Sports Deck’.

Anchoring is also done from here, with a Muir remote and chain counter screen as well. All other systems are managed by the Czone digital switching screen that offers five pre-programmed menu modes. Another handy feature is the portside door opposite the helm for easy access to the foredeck lounges.

Below decks is quite a revelation, with a central lounge and starboard side galley that has the master suite forward – which can be closed off. The atrium entrance affords natural light along with elongated portlights, giving the entire area, including the master, a bright and airy feel.

The 43-footer also has the space for a second cabin aft. This downstairs lounge has L-shaped seating to port with matching Ottoman, along with a bulkhead-mounted LED TV and hand-crafted drinks cabinet, complete with stemware storage. Opposite is the galley, which has a fridge and freezer drawers, combination convection microwave oven, large sink, twin hob induction cooktop and rangehood.

There's extensive storage above and below the bench for pantry and galleyware. You can even add a dishwasher. Forward of the galley is the bathroom with vanity, head and separate shower stall. Finished in white gelcoat, with timber accents, the area is stylish and easily cleaned and there is a stainless-steel framed opening porthole above the raised ceramic basin for ventilation.

The owner's forward master uses a wide entrance for casual living when there are just two aboard, but with more bodies it can be easily closed-off for full privacy. The internal volume is ample, courtesy of the higher bow and raised foredeck sun pad, so there’s plenty of space for the oversized double island bed which has four-drawer storage beneath.

Along with dual cedar-lined wardrobes, there's ample storage for those long weekends on the coast. Natural light and air come from an opening porthole (with locking alarm). Quality finishes are again evident with solid timber fixtures, sumptuous wool carpets and air-conditioning.

The aft cabin uses the full beam of the 4300 and offers a double to port and king single to starboard. Volume is limited but the large hull windows with portholes that open introduce fresh air and natural light which makes the cabin welcoming.

The fibreglass hull is heavily laid-up by hand with a strong keel, collision bulkhead at the bow and sandwich deck for insulation – all with an impressive seven-year warranty. Below the waterline the 4300 uses solid GRP, with foam core above, to reduce weight.

Stiffness is gained by using monolithic chines and independent compartment bulkheads. The company builds the entire interior with its own artisan staff, which clearly shows in the quality of the joinery and the cabinetry throughout. A ‘built to last’ ethos distinguishes Riviera from many foreign competitors.

Departing a tight Gold Coast marina berth on the 4300 was drama-free thanks to the sharp control from the IPS and joystick control and the expertise of skipper Dean. This first hull is also fitted with an optional bow thruster, a welcome feature for many skippers who face tight berthing situations but not really necessary on a smaller pod boat like the 4300.

Clear of the marina I took the helm as we motored along the Broadwater, a busy area thronging with jet skis and myriad other vessels. Clear views from the helm gave me the confidence to accelerate, which brought an instant response from the torquey 480hp Volvos, quickly putting us on a 16-knot plane.

I then rounded a cardinal marker for a run south towards the Gold Coast skyscrapers at the 4300's cruising speed (about 27 knots with 80 per cent engine load which used 156l/ph) before turning east and out to sea.

A small swell met us and put some spray on the wide front windscreens as a reminder that we were at sea, but apart from that the 4300 gave hardly a murmur so I accelerated to its top speed of 33.5 knots. At that speed, the trim assist tabs automatically put the bow down to about 10 per cent tilt, which ensured clear views forward.

Putting the helm down and the boat into a turn brought on a 20 per cent heel, which nicely brought the 4300 hull around in a fairly tight turn for an IPS pod boat, giving a sporty, responsive feel.

Seeking more swell, I criss-crossed our wake, which was done without any groans from the stiff hull; showing Riviera's typically sturdy build while giving a lively overall feel. Approaching the marina, Dean offered to let me berth the 4300 but before doing so I decided to practice some slow manoeuvres just outside the marina.

Engaging the IPS joystick, I put the hull broadside to the 15-knot breeze and moved fore and aft; while also compensating for the tide – requiring two simultaneous movements of the joystick by twisting and moving it in the desired direction. Very intuitive. Which then gave me the confidence to back the 4300 into the tight marina berth; a typical scenario for an owner and done without dramas.

Factory supplied figures. Sea trial figures denoted by * (75% fuel, three people, flat conditions)

Docking the 4300 into the tight space was a snapshot of the entire experience: it certainly is one accomplished operator. It’s extremely enjoyable and has a real sporting edge offshore, so the moniker is well deserved.

Model: Riviera 4300 Sports Express
Length overall: 13.88m
Hull length: 13.24m
Beam: 4.45m
Draft: 1.22m
Displacement: 13,000kg
Fuel: 1200L
Water: 400L
Holding tank: 80L
Berths: 5 persons
Engine: 2 x Volvo Penta D6-IPS600 440 HP each std (480 HP option)
Price: $1.7m (indicative only)
Supplied by: Riviera