W
hile Riviera may
export a good part
of its 100-plus
annual builds
overseas, the home
market remains the first rigorous
testing ground for these highly-sought
vessels.
The latest, the four cabin 68-footer
that launched at the Sydney Boat Show
in August, represents the launch of a
new higher-specification range dubbed
the Sports Motor Yacht collection, and
includes the upcoming 72ft model as
well.
These yachts are intended as
bluewater adventure boats and as such,
boast exceptional long range capability
- our 68 review boat can do 2000Nm in
displacement mode – and with levels of
self-sufficiency to match.
Chatting with company owner
Rodney Longhurst during the unveiling
at Sydney, he explained what was
involved during two years of bringing it
to market.
“All of the owners we spoke with were
seeking a new style of motor yacht,”
said the Riv CEO.
“Their dream was a bluewater yacht
that combines speed, sportfishing and
other watersports capabilities, with the
confidence of high bulwark side decks,
a foredeck entertainment centre, fully
enclosed flybridge with internal stairs,
a covered mezzanine dining area and
ultra-luxurious interiors.
“This new Sports Motor Yacht
comprehensively delivers on their
brief.”
DOCKSIDE VIEW
The Riviera 68 I boarded for our sea
trial was an interesting fusion of old
and new.
Old, or perhaps retro in its sense
of the styling, with bold drops of the
sheerline and a raked bridge deck, but
also packing an ultra-modern interior
and systems.
Living space is plentiful, from the
wide hydraulic teak swimplatform to
the bow cockpit, with three levels of
interior and exterior space in between.
This allows the Riviera 68 to be an
all-season boat, ideal for most parts of
the world.
All navigation will likely take place
from the flybridge, but remote helm
stations are available in the aft cockpit
and the flybridge exterior balcony as
well.
The overall layout follows
convention, with the galley aft for
easy access to cockpit diners, while
ahead of that, the saloon enjoys
forward seclusion with the main
accommodation corridor below.
This demarcation from the working
part of the boat – upstairs flybridge;
then galley with adjoining quarters
beneath – makes the Riviera ideal for
both crewed or family boating.
The saloon entry has a bar with
stools while inside the U-shaped galley
is extensively fitted with deep double
sinks surrounded by work tops.
There’s a four-burner induction
electric stove with a large microwave
convection oven and a dishwasher;
plus sea views aft to inspire the chef.SECLUDED SALOON
Walking forward into the saloon reveals
a cosy area with couches either side,
where the centrepiece is a beautifully
crafted walnut table.
Beside this is an island bench which,
cleverly, can have a wooden top to
become a coffee table.
Sinking into the sumptuous
upholstered bench gives clear views
through the large side and forward
windows.
Should you tire of the view, a 55in
screen TV is unobtrusively integrated
into the galley bulkhead.
For the skipper, a watertight
pantograph door on port leads to the
side deck, allowing quick access to
mooring lines and the foredeck.“Their dream was a bluewater yacht
that combines speed, sportfishing
and other watersports capabilities”
20 trade aboat.com.au