SYDNEY BOAT SHOW: Riviera’s $16m display

Inhabiting a popular corner of the Sydney International Boat Show marina in Cockle Bay, Riviera will have a $16 million display of 11 boats and a 350-strong owners event on the Saturday night aptly themed Legends of Australia.

The fleet on show ranges from the 3700 Sport Yacht to the 57 Flybridge and includes the popular crossover SUV models. There’s some big news in the pipeline regarding bigger models, namely the
68 and 72 Sports Motor Yachts, as well as some new boat share opportunities with its partners.

WORLD PREMIERE 4800 SPORT YACHT
The main Riviera event at the 2016 Sydney International Boat Show will be the unveiling of the cutting-edge 4800 Sport Yacht, the first production boat in the world with Volvo Penta’s new 600hp IPS800 engines, which have impressive power-to-weight, and are matched to the latest 15 pod drive with even greater articulation and steering range.

We drove this boat before it was shipped to Sydney and can most definitely add that there’s a lot of sports in this ‘yacht’, with a 34 knot top speed and snappy off-the-wheel steering. Quietness and efficiency are big features, too. The Volvo Penta integration on this boat goes to the next level. You can read more about that in this Riviera 4800 SY news story with links back to our Volvo Penta trip to Sweden earlier in 2016.

The command centre of the 4800 Sport Yacht features the latest Volvo Penta/Garmin Glass Cockpit navigation and systems monitoring features, with two 12in multi-function display screens set into the sunken dash. C-Zone digital switching and monitoring system, with a 10in control panel right at hand so owners can, at the touch of the screen, select from cruising and entertaining modes, dock unattended mode or full systems shutdown.

The sizeable cockpit plays into the hands of Australian boaters, with a tender garage aft and a separate lifestyle lounging area on the foredeck. The interior finish is lifted, while the aft galley and saloon space are akin to a 50-footer.

The 4800 SY’s trick two-cabin accommodation plan includes an aft cabin with three single berths, one of which is on an electric actuator that butts-up to its nearby bed to create a double. One of the highlights of the show and a very pretty boat to boot.

SYDNEY DEBUT FOR 5400 SPORT YACHT
One of the hottest new sellers in the range, the 5400 SY is a smart Riviera that embraces everything that is identifiable with the brand these days. There’s the Volvo Penta synergy from pod drives to joysticks, a Glass Cockpit navigational centre, C-Zone digital switching, more in-built standard amenities, greater comforts and plush accommodation, a very tight fit and finish, snazzy styling, and a smooth ride and drive.

Standard power is a pair of Volvo Penta 626hp IPS 800s and the standard build list ticks a lot of boxes. In fact, this smart boat is virtually a turn-key luxury Sport Yacht to go with everything from double barbecue and icemaker, forward sunpad with backrests and bimini top, to a loaded aft galley with Miele oven, wine fridge, premium AV system, and the Volvo Penta IPS drive with full Glass Cockpit centre with joysticks.

Our Riviera 5400 SY test rig driven earlier this year was a real flyer thanks to the upgraded 725hp IPS 950s. With the IPS2 drives, top speed was 34.5 knots at 2570rpm. The IPS-950s give a very quiet and smooth cruise, while the Glass Cockpit navigation and engine monitoring system, with twin 17in Garmin screens and a separate 8in MFD for the engines, adds to the sophistication. There’s also the Dynamic Positioning System with GPS station holding function and a smart Autopilot that’s intuitive.

Accommodation revolves around a popular three-cabin and two-bathroom layout seen here or an optional two cabin layout with lower saloon. The third cabin to port has bunks but also a surprising degree of floor space thanks to the hull flare. The VIP is forward with island queen bed sharing the communal bathroom with American-sized shower and a new upmarket hotel-like finish. A beautiful sport yacht.

SYDNEY DEBUT FOR 575 SUV
With a strong offshore boating line, the 575 SUV is making its Sydney debut and should appeal to those looking for a bluewater crossover boat. Based on the Riviera 57 Enclosed Flybridge, this high volume SUV feels like a 60 footer thanks to its freeboard and abundant saloon glazing.

The innovative cockpit layout creates an entirely new indoor/outdoor experience, including transom seat and storage, wet bar with twin BBQ, fridge and icemaker. A large awning window and sliding glass door set in a robust stainless steel frame connect the modern aft galley with the cockpit, while wide walk-around side decks lead to the large foredeck with optional sunpad.

Riviera offers the 575 SUV with pod or shaft drive. Standard is a pair of IPS950 (727hp), you can upgrade to IPS1200 (900hp), or choose shaft options from Volvo Penta D13 (900hp) or CAT C12.9 (1000hp) engines. Fuel capacity is 4000 litres and the test boat with the new CATS hit 30.3 knots top speed.

The aft docking station with joystick, throttles and steering wheel comes with the IPS, while throttles and bow thruster is for shaft drive, or there is optional EJS.

With the Volvo pairing, you get the Glass Cockpit navigation package
Dynamic Positioning System, Active Corrosion Protection, cruise control
and auto-pilot with optional auto-trim. The boat comes with C-Zone
digital switching, with various modes and simple touch-screen operation
of onboard systems.

The three-stateroom, two-bathroom accommodation plan includes a full-beam master stateroom with ensuite and long fixed hull windows and optional portholes, designer feature bed headboards in every stateroom, complemented by subtle LED mood lighting. Functional storage solutions and designed-in access to key service points are a new focus. A big bluewater cruiser.

All told, the Riviera line-up at the Sydney boat show includes the 3600 Sport Yacht, new 4800 Sport Yacht, 5400 Sport Yacht, 6000 Sport Yacht, 445 SUV, 525 SUV, 575 SUV, 52 Flybridge (stunning version), 57 Flybridge and Belize 54 Daybridge and boats offered in share management. More at www.rivieraaustralia.com.