Riviera Reveals 2007 Lineup

Riviera is compelled to move with the times. The company is facing increased competition from both here and abroad and it has stepped up to the plate with some bold new boats to counter the threats while increasing its appeal in the overseas markets.

Certainly Riviera is continuing on with its world-renowned flybridge cruisers. The new 41 which is featured in this issue is the first of the new boats.

Then there is the 45 coming soon which will feature an internal staircase to the flybridge. This boat will be at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show and Riviera is hoping it will prove to be a winner here and in the USA.

On the Sport Yacht front, the company has been a bit more innovative.

Launched in time for the Sydney International Boat Show in August, the all-new 4300 will be the first Riviera to use “pods” as drives. Pods are the generic term for the new wave of drive systems developed by Volvo and Brunswick Corp.

The first 4300 will be driven by Volvo IPS systems but according to Riviera CEO Wes Moxey, they may not be all Volvo powered.

“We’re calling them Pod Boats,” said Moxey, “That way we don’t have to be locked into IPS or Brunswick’s Zeus Drives. Either way, it is one of the ways of the future and we will be offering them on Riviera boats,” he added.

Also new for the 4300 is the fact that Riviera will be using infusion moulding technology rather than the traditional open moulded lay-up of fibreglass and resin. In this production process, the resin is introduced to the double-sided hull mould via an injection system and drawn through the core layers using vacuum suction resulting in consistent hull thickness and reduced hull weight as a result of highly accurate control measures.

The 4300 is also the first Riviera to be designed entirely by computer using the computer aided design (CAD) system. This system enables the designers to plan on-screen in 3D, which is a faster and more accurate way of designing a boat than the traditional methods of building a prototype then fitting in all the internal components.

The 4300 will follow on from the indoor-outdoor character and sense of light and space introduced on the first Riviera 3600 Sport Yacht and carried on to the 4700SY.

Exterior lines have been further refined to create even more visual appeal. Bonded glass windows each side of the boat are a striking feature that, together with an opening porthole each side, add natural light and ventilation into the aft cabin of the boat.

This two cabin/two bathroom cruiser exudes style and is packed with all the modern conveniences you would expect from a Riviera, making it what Riviera call “the ultimate in lifestyle-orientated vessels”.

Riviera’s next bold move is into what they term Offshore Express models. The new Riviera 48 Offshore Express is to be launched at the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show in October which would give an indication of the market the company is after with this boat. It’s a new breed of purpose-built sport-fishing vessels that the company says is designed to take on Australia and the world.

While the Riviera 48 Offshore Express is designed as a rugged fishing and passage-making vessel it will still maintain a sophisticated and functional interior typical of all Rivieras, featuring two cabins and two bathrooms.

Based upon Riviera’s proven 47 Series II Flybridge Convertible hull, the hydrodynamics are exceptional, with running surface and chines optimised for a soft, dry ride. Further developed propeller tunnels and underwater exhaust outlets deliver more forward thrust, and a quieter and cleaner performance.

The 48 Offshore Express will be offered in three distinct configurations:

The Riviera 48 Offshore Express is powered by twin Cummins QSM 11 turbo diesel engines rated at 492kW/660hp, with the options of twin MTU Series 60 diesel engines (615kW/850hp) or twin Caterpillar C18 diesels (747kW/1015hp).

Fuel capacity is 3500lt standard plus an option for an additional 1000lt.  Water capacity is 620lt contained in dual tanks.