SYDNEY BOAT SHOW: Riviera 6000 Sport Yacht launch

When the Riviera 5800 Sport Yacht was launched in 2009 at the Sanctuary Cove boat show you could see the European-design influences. The boat was ambitious and audacious, but it proved a hit among big-city cruising types ( and boat-share operators) who like to entertain. Even despite Riviera announcing it was going into receivership at the time.

Five years on, and with new owner Rodney Longhurst at the Riviera helm, the new 6000 Sport Yacht is a fittingly flash example of where Riviera has come. The world release at 2014 Sydney boat show takes the new leaner Riviera to a new level of luxury. 

Much of the platform that made the 5800 SY predecessor such a big hit remains. Only the hull now has a keel, twin 735hp IPS 950s instead of the triple 435hp IPS 600s, a new lid, and some big layout and finishing changes.

There’s greater emphasise on maximising the views from the boat's seating, which now includes a whole new cockpit layout with revised orientation so you are looking back over your anchorage rather than staring indoors.

In the enlarged cockpit (by 300mm), the outdoor amenities centre is a focal point and centrepiece if the vistas out yonder don’t steal your attention. There’s a new hardtop over the cockpit with its own sunroof for all-weather al fresco dining and no drips at the table in rain, we're told. Meanwhile, the entire sunroof in the saloon has new amounts of glass and class. 

The position of aft galley, with more inbuilt appliances, has been flipped to port over the 5800 SY; the dinette, lounges and wet bar have a sleeker feel; while the dash looks really quite automotive and simplified, with Volvo Penta’s joystick driving and docking adding to the sophistication.

Riviera listened to the feedback and created a three/four cabin boat with its master full-beam stateroom aft with offset bed. The standard ensuite, with new enlarged owner’s shower, sits to port right alongside behind a pane of switchable privacy glass. This has one of the best views from a bathroom we have ever seen.

There are layout options to turn the lower saloon into a fourth cabin or part of a presidential suite whereby the ensuite is shifted there to create an even bigger full-beam stateroom with king bed on the centreline. Such is the flexibility of Riviera meeting today's 50-60 footer new-boat market.

The smart décor devoid of glitz has even more European sophistication and it’s this market and that in North America that Riviera covets, with three orders off-the-plan for the new 6000 Sport Yacht already. 

We’re told it’s a 32.5 knot boat and a better performer with the addition of a keel, which will be added to all new Rivieras. Cost? Around $2.2 million. Full test post boat show. Watch this space.