Riviera celebrates 2014

The excitement is certainly building heading into 2015 as Riviera caps off a year of significant milestones, including the announcement of a majestic new 77 Enclosed Flybridge.

Set for her world premiere at the Dubai International Boast Show March 3-7, the 77 Enclosed Flybridge was launched on the Gold Coast this week, and attended by her very impressed Middle East-based owners.

Riviera’s Middle East and North Africa dealer will host the world premiere in Dubai. SF Yachts dealer principal Franceso Pitea also plans to take the 77 Enclosed Flybridge for an extensive tour of the Middle East to showcase it to customers.

"We are very excited," he said, adding that there is already a signed contract for a second 77 for a Middle East-based owner due for delivery mid-year.
Another 2014 significant achievement for Riviera is the growing success of the sporty and adventurous SUV collection of Riviera Australia crossover yachts, now comprising three models – the 445, 565 and the new 515 SUV which was launched this year in May.

Commenting on the success of the SUV range, Riviera owner and chairman Rodney Longhurst said: "The growing SUV collection has proven immensely popular since we launched the collection with the world premiere of Riviera’s 5000th boat – a 445 – a little more than 18 months ago.

"In fact we have now sold 56 yachts from the Riviera SUV collection and we are thoroughly excited with the way this collection is being embraced by boating aficionados worldwide."

The year 2014 also witnessed the world premiere of the stylish and sophisticated 6000 Sport Yacht at Sydney International Boat Show in August, and there have now been eight confirmed sales of this widely acclaimed, high-performance yacht.

"The 6000, with her full-beam master stateroom, is supremely comfortable with clever alfresco lifestyle concepts, ultramodern technology and palatial appointments and boasts an attention to every detail that confirms she is indeed a world-class Riviera," said Longhurst.

"The success of the Belize Motoryachts range is also continuing to grow internationally as we continue to meet the global affection for high-end, classically inspired motor yachts,” he said.

"The Belize 54 Daybridge made her European premiere in 2014 and we were very pleased that she managed to raise quite a few eyebrows, being named as one of three finalists for the ‘highest achievement’ category for vessels her size in Lux Media’s World Yachts Trophies at the Cannes International Yachting Festival."

Mr Longhurst said that the official opening of the Gold Coast TAFE’s Marine Training Centre in March at the Riviera facility at Coomera is also significant, together with the re-launch of the school-based apprenticeship program, where students are now undertaking their theoretical and hands-on training to become master craftsmen of the future for the industry.

And then in May, the third annual Riviera Festival of Boating was held with record numbers of people attending the Coomera facility for practical knowledge and skills development to help them achieve ‘the ultimate boating experience’, and also to come together as members of the global Riviera family for fun social events.

"It certainly has been a year worth celebrating and now, Riviera’s 430-strong team is looking forward to an even brighter 2015," Longhurst said.

"At Riviera, we are encouraged by the improving market conditions not just in Australia but also in the Middle East, Americas, Singapore and New Zealand.

"Our forward order position is strong heading into the New Year, with some specific models sold out until late 2015."