Riva became an icon in the boating industry by building stylish boats that somehow have a sum greater than their parts. Sure, navigating a pristine waterway with the wind in your hair is fun to do on any boat, but with a Riva, there’s always been that added measure of glamour that kicks up the whole experience by a notch or two. And with the company’s newly launched Rivamare, you can expect the same, with a little something new.
Designed by Ferretti Group in conjunction with Officina Italiana Design, the Rivamare has lines as unmistakably Italian as they are unmistakably Riva. Sleek, almost bordering on sensual, they create a sexy boat. She comes in a variety of color schemes, all accented by a stainless-steel prow. Her sharply raked windscreen is made of five pieces of laminated crystal glass encased in a stainless-steel frame for extra rigidity. Closer to her stern, there’s even more stainless steel in the form of grilles on her bulwarks that practically snarl at onlookers.
On board, two aft sun pads cover stowage large enough for some toys on the smaller side, such as a Seabob. Interestingly, the boat’s transom has a hatch that can open to create a miniature beach club nearly at sea level, with two lounges.
In the cockpit, guests have a U-shaped settee and can dine at a mahogany table with, you guessed it, even more stainless steel. While seated there, guests will be protected from the sun by a Bimini top overhead, or they can opt to work on their tan — the Bimini top can be retracted electrohydraulically.
One final onboard detail Riva fans will almost certainly like is the trademark searchlight to port at the helm. It’s an element common to Aquariva Super and Aquarama models and is used on the new model to evoke a sense of continuity between past and present designs.
As for performance, the Rivamare should live up to Riva’s reputation for being a joy to drive. Twin 400 hp Volvo Penta D6 sterndrives can propel the boat to a 31-knot cruise or a rollicking 40-knot top speed. Integrated trim control helps to ensure a smooth, efficient ride. A “driving mode” option allows the boat to be steered using nothing but a joystick, if the owner so desires
That’s a cool feature that fits in line with the Rivamare’s whole philosophy. Sleek and sophisticated, sexy and fun, this launch strikes at the heart of what it means to enjoy a distinctly Italian on-the-water experience.
BUONA NOTTE
IN THE BEGINNING
THE FINER POINTS
