Riviera debuts 395 SUV

Riviera is back in the business of developing and building sub-40 foot boats. Alongside the 72 Sport Motor Yacht, the all-new 395 SUV grabbed equal billing at the recent Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show (SCIBS) and telegraphs a return to the volume end of the big boat marketplace.

The company’s first new under-40-foot model in nearly a decade, the 395 SUV, builds on the ‘single-level’ momentum created with Riviera’s launch of the 445 SUV back in 2013 and subsequent SUV range additions.

The new SUV model features new hull and deck designs, which Riviera says combines “the DNA” of its Sport Yachts, with the “go-anywhere attributes” of its traditional flybridge designs.

The 395 SUV features two staterooms and a bathroom on the “accommodation deck”, and a large saloon, aft galley and a well-appointed cockpit, which the company says is “perfectly designed for relaxing and entertaining or for a raft of water sports”.

In addition to the SUV, Riviera has confirmed it will debut an extended-flybridge 395 Sport Motor Yacht. That boat is expected to make its first appearance at August’s Sydney International Boat Show.

Riviera boss, Rodney Longhurst, called the new SUV: “a compelling new entree to the Riviera family”.

“In this model, we have introduced a number of innovative design features. Among them are raised bulwarks on the side decks and a new barbecue centre… This model offers exceptional boating opportunities," said Longhurst.

Below decks, the 395 features a conventional forward cabin with direct bathroom access and full width midship stateroom. The midships berth feature twin beds athwartships to starboard and a single bed set along the port side. The twin beds can be converted to a double.

But the highlight of the 395 is the salon and cockpit, the latter with generous shaded overhang.

A large fixed swim platform boosts available deck space and the transom incorporates a barbecue unit with electric grill, sink and food preparation space. Below the barbecue there is a large aft-facing storage area. In the cockpit itself, the 395 SUV boasts a teak table in the forward port quarter of the cockpit with integrated lounge and optional fold-out seating and fridge or freezer.

Access to the engine room for daily checks is via a large hydraulic lift hatch that makes up most of the cockpit floor or through a smaller hatch in the cockpit, immediately aft of the saloon door.

The 395 SUV’s saloon features a raised dining area, with L-shape seating which offers “sweeping views through the wraparound windows, windscreen and aft through the glass bulkhead door and awning window”.

On the starboard side, the 395 SUV’s aft galley includes an electric cooktop, sink and food preparation benchtop, under-bench convection microwave and two drawer fridges. The twin helm-and-companion seat are located portside with all the engine and systems control’s you’d expect. Another raised lounge is opposite.

Separating the 395 SUV’s saloon and cockpit is a bulkhead with fixed window behind the galley, an outward-opening stainless steel framed glass centre door and awning window on the port side behind the lounge. This ‘open air’ effect is a trademark of the Riviera SUVs. In addition, hardtop sunroof hatches open above the helm and forward lounge.

The 395 SUV is powered by twin Volvo Penta D6 IPS 500 370hp turbo-diesel engines coupled with IPS 10 pod drive units. Sea trials indicated fast cruising speeds in the 25-29kt region with a slow cruising range of in excess of 280nm.

Riviera announced plans for the 395 SUV and its open flybridge counterpart at last year’s (2017) Sydney Boat Show. Riviera stated at that time that the first 15-strong production run of the boats would be for the Australian and NZ markets. Overseas interest in the 395 SUV is strong, however. Thus Riviera is planning a European debut for the boat at Cannes in September while another 395 SUV will make its North American debut at Fort Lauderdale Boat Show in Florida in November.

The 395 SUV is priced from $848,900.

RIVIERA 395 SUV SPECIFICATIONS
Length overall (inc. swim platform, bow roller) 13.27 m 43' 6"
Hull length to iso8666 12.06 m 39’ 6”
Beam (inc gunwale) 4.26 m 13’ 9”
Max draft (inc props) 1.13 m 3’ 7”
Dry weight (approx) 11,300 kg 24,912 lb
Fuel capacity 1,500 litres 396 US gal
Water capacity 390 litres 103 US gal
Holding tank capacity 80 litres 21 US gal
Sleeping capacity 5
Cockpit area 7.70 m2 82.8 ft2
Bridge clearance 3.10 m 10' 2"
Standard engine
Volvo Penta D6 IPS500 x 2 272kW 370hp
Generator
Onan EQD 7kVA