Riviera 68 and 72 Sports Motor Yacht: UPDATE

Riviera is moving into a new realm of semi-custom boatbuilding with nine holding deposits taken for its all-new Riviera 68 and 72 Sports Motor Yacht models, the first of which will be released mid-2017 at the Riviera Festival in May.

The 68 Sports Motor Yacht will be shaft-driven, with standard power being the proven twin MAN 1550 V-drive engine package, delivering 1550 horsepower (1140kW). The 72 will carry 2000lt more fuel and bigger engines, as well as an enlarged cockpit, were told.

Aiming for six builds per year, Riviera walked your boatsales and BoatPoint crew through the craftwood mock up of its first new 68 Sports Motor Yachts at last weekend’s thronging Riviera Festival. The Gold Coast boatbuilder is now in the process of garnering final owner feedback.

The 68 and 72 are true expedition-style liveaboard Sports Motor Yachts with walkthrough engine rooms, separate aft crew quarters and dayhead, which are accessible from the mezzanine cockpit deck. You can option the boat to have a full al fresco entertaining setting, game fishing chairs, and dive centres with compressors. Unsurprisingly, Kiwis are among those showing keen interest.

The boats will have a pantograph door from the saloon to the bulwarks, which Riviera is currently in discussions about with a European builder; a trick recessed tender in the bow that, when removed, converts into an entertaining zone; hydraulic swim platform for inter-anchorage tender toting;, and customised layouts including a Presidential option with three cabins and special owner’s accommodation. The vee drives certainly give the amazing accommodation a lot of room to move on these boats.

The boats will have underwater exhausts, provision for (and likely) SeaKeeper gyros fitted, in-built redundancy for things like twin generators, and a higher level of engineering, personalisation and layout options than Riviera has ever offered before.

Crew cabins can be designed in or reconfigured as aft kids' cabins connected off the aft stateroom, while the mezzanine level can be enclosed in clears and air conditioned. The central gourmet galley, positioning the chef right in the heart of the very social environment, is another big feature.

"What we’ve heard is that, in increasing numbers, our experienced luxury motor yacht aficionados are wanting to take their boating further afield with true long-range cruising aspirations, whilst still being able to fish effectively and have fun diving," Riviera chairman and owner Rodney Longhurst said.

With multi-million dollar pricing, the new 68 and 72 Motor Yachts are the subjects of considerable input at all levels from naval architect Frank Mulder, who is known for his superyacht prowess, to manufacturing, interior design and, most importantly, prospective owner feedback.

The hulls have already been tank-tested at the Wolfson Unit for Marine
Technology and Industrial Aerodynamics at the University of Southampton,
England, to ensure maximum hull efficiency and performance.

"Before we build each new Riviera, we embark on an extensive program of consultation with our very experienced owners, many of whom have cruised many sea miles and spent extended periods living aboard our luxury motor yachts," said Mr Longhurst.

"We then create the yacht using 3D technology enabling us to put to use every millimetre of onboard space and build full-scale internal mock-ups where our designers and our prospective owners can physically walk through the yacht and get a real feel for the spaciousness.

Following our walkthrough of the 68 mock-up, the Riviera Festival saw numerous prospective new Sports Motor Yacht owners offer their views and feedback for Riviera to consider in the final design.

"The impressive Sports Motor Yacht from Riviera appeals to experienced luxury motor yacht owners who aspire to spend more time cruising to idyllic, distant destinations.

"The enthusiasm as we showcase her design at boat shows right around the world confirms that this inspiring new design reflects the extensive ‘wish lists’ of many serious yacht owners," Mr Longhurst said.

More at Riviera Australia's website.