Riviera History

Riviera began with no fanfare, no official opening, but with five boat builders working diligently in a small factory in Sydney’s leafy northern beaches suburb of Terrey Hills. They were building the plugs for a hull, deck and superstructure that would soon become the very first Riviera Open Flybridge, the 38 Mark 1. A total of 36 boating enthusiasts purchased Riviera’s 38 Mark 1 model over the next six years before she was superseded by the Riviera 38 Mark 2. No sooner were the first Rivieras in the hands of proud owners than work began on the next model, the Riviera 30, a boat developed to fill an important and highly competitive niche. With twin V-berth accommodation and an enclosed bathroom, the Riviera 30 was an instant success, with 23 in the hands of happy owners in her first year, 1982. The company built and sold a total of 66 Riviera 30s over just four years. Riviera achieved a major milestone in 1983. The company moved into the export market, sending its first motor yacht to the United States. The model line-up also expanded by another two models in that year with the launch of the 44 and 34 Mark 1. The 46 Passagemaker took its name from a special feature – wide and deep walk-around side decks with stainless steel handrails that swept from the bow back to steps leading forward from the cockpit. The 52 was also launched in 1985, the first Riviera to offer three-cabin accommodation. This model also introduced the new aesthetic of an aft-raked windscreen on the flybridge.

The lastest models

The 56 Enclosed Flybridge displayed a range of innovations that would percolate through the line-up. In 2011, the company launched the 53 Enclosed Flybridge. Riviera also released a Series II of the popular 4400 Sport Yacht. The Riviera 68 Sports Motor Yacht was officially launched during the Sydney International Boat Show in August 2017. he next Sports Motor Yacht, a 72, was unveiled at the 2018 Sydney International Boat Show. The 54 Enclosed Flybridge was launched in 2019. The SUV collection expanded with the introduction of the 545 and a Daybridge version of the Belize 66 was launched. Most recently, the shipyard launched the next generation SUV to the range with the 505 model and continued development of the stunning Sports Motor Yacht collection. First, a 64 Sports Motor Yacht joined the exceptional SMY family, then the 50 Sports Motor Yacht.