SYDNEY BOAT SHOW: Riviera 6000 Sport Yacht announced

Riviera has revealed details of the largest and most sophisticated cruiser in its Sport Yacht (SY) collection, the stylish new 6000 SY, ahead of its world premiere at the Sydney International Boat Show in July.

The 6000 SY is currently under construction at Riviera’s headquarters at Coomera on the Gold Coast. The boat will be powered by twin Volvo Penta IPS 950s (725hp) for a 30-32 knot top speed and a range of 324nm at 23 knots.

Riviera’s CEO Wes Moxey told BoatPoint and boatsales that the hull of the new 6000 SY is the same as the 5800 SY that it supplants. The 5800 SY has proved a popular model, with boat #35 launching this month after its release in May 2009 when Riviera was in receivership.

But as with all Moxey's boats (including the Belize) he's added a keel on the 6000 SY for improved directional stability, tracking, manoeuvrability and to reduce the drift rate as a result of windage.

Riviera says the new 6000 – the flagship of the Sport Yacht series – features myriad new design and innovative technological enhancements to help her owners utilise space and achieve the ultimate boating experience. A wide range of options will allow each boat to be truly personalised, while the sleek external styling and solid and robust hull with large hull windows in every cabin adds to the boat's good looks.

"The cockpit measures 2.9 metres in length and provides plenty of room for entertaining and relaxing. The cockpit offers an L-shaped dining area with teak table and a large lounge opposite for social conversation. The new GRP fibreglass hardtop extends over the cockpit seating area to provide shade and shelter from the sun and extremities. This hardtop features a specially designed fibreglass sunroof, allowing owners to open up the area to bring sunlight and breeze into the alfresco area," Mr Longhurst said.

"As soon as you step on board you will notice the large internal space and simple yet practical design features, which mean you don’t have to think about anything except enjoying the ultimate boating experience," Mr Longhurst adds.

The new 6000 Sport Yacht features caramel oak-coloured, high-quality and durable timber finish flooring throughout the saloon, galley and companionway. The U-shaped aft galley is the central entertainment hub with easy access to the alfresco dining area as well as the saloon.

Opposite the galley is the internal bar area complete with fitted dual-drawer ice-maker/fridge combination, as well as the C-Zone touch screen control panel which allows all navigational, lighting, entertainment and electrical equipment to be operated with the touch of the screen. A large television on a swing mount is adjacent to the internal bar and can be swivelled to allow viewing from the saloon dinette or large three-seater lounge.

The spacious saloon features a U-shaped lounge around a dinette table to port and a large two-metre long, three-seater lounge opposite. The three-seater lounge is large enough to enjoy a comfortable afternoon nap and versatile enough to provide an additional dining area by simply moving the middle seat out as an ottoman and lifting up the table located between the two remaining seats.

Forward of the saloon to starboard is the impressive helm station which has been cleverly sunken into the dash, providing exceptional vision and ergonomics in an exciting new helm style, featuring enough space for two 17-inch display screens, two electric adjusting leather helm seats with stainless-steel illuminated push buttons. The saloon also features a large glass Webasto marine sunroof to bring light and fresh air into the saloon area at anchor and underway.

"The master stateroom is a key feature of the new 6000 with a large en suite to port featuring sliding door entry and large porthole to bring in natural light. A king island bed is centre with a sliding door to starboard giving access to an extremely large walk-in robe on the starboard side. Forward of the island bed is the dresser with bulkhead-mounted television, and to starboard is a large lounge forming a cosy adults’ retreat," Mr Moxey said.

"A large utility room is located behind the master stateroom providing additional storage or it can be converted into crew quarters. The utility room can be accessed from the master wardrobe, cockpit or engine room with a watertight door from the storage area to the engine room."

The forward stateroom features an impressive en suite and the starboard cabin with twin single beds also has an en suite which doubles as a dayhead for the port cabin with twin bunks. The washer and dryer are located side by side to provide more storage space above.

The plans and details for this latest new Riviera Sport Yacht model are on show for the first time at the Riviera Festival of Boating from May 22 to 25, ahead of her world premiere at the Sydney International Boat Show in July.