The Spirit of Excellence
Riviera Australia’s spirit of excellence in the field of luxury motor yacht design will be clearly evident in the inspiring new addition to its stylish and sophisticated Sport Yacht collection that was trumpeted at Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.
The brand-new 5400 design will set a new standard for luxury single-level living, cruising and entertaining yachts in the 50-foot category. Up until Fort Lauderdale this new model has been a very closely kept secret and Riviera has confirmed the handcrafting of the first 5400 is now well advanced.
Riviera chairman and owner Rodney Longhurst said the finishing touches were now being applied to the 5400 prior to her World Premiere at Miami International Boat Show (11-15 February 2016).
“This striking and remarkably roomy avant-garde design epitomizes the Riviera ethos of excellence that is embodied in every yacht created in our world-class manufacturing facility on Australia’s Gold Coast,” said Mr Longhurst.
STEPPING ABOARD
Riviera chief executive Wes Moxey said that whilst retaining the marque’s hallmark luxury, technology and true blue-water sea-keeping capability, the talented Riviera team has adopted a totally fresh-thinking approach with this new model.
“Stepping on to the wide hydraulic boarding platform you’ll immediately notice the tender garage, the door of which opens at the touch of a button. Here, an optional 3.3-metre (10.8ft) Brig tender with permanently mounted 20hp outboard can be easily launched or retrieved with the built-in electric winch,” said Mr Moxey.
“As you step up through either of the wide stainless steel transom gates and into the expansive 11.4m2 (122.7ft2) cockpit, you’ll also appreciate the evolution of the luxury indoor/outdoor, single-level living design for which our Sport Yacht series is both internationally renowned and highly awarded.”
The cockpit will feature a large forward-facing transom lounge, with drink holders and storage for fenders within each of its armrests. Her curvaceous fiberglass hardtop will extend well aft to provide shelter and shade from the extremities.
The cockpit even will even have its own electric sliding sunroof to bring extra sunlight and fresh air into the alfresco area when desired.
To port will be a wet bar and double barbecue, a refrigerator and icemaker as well as a solid surface bench top with sink. The L-shaped lounge/dining area to starboard will feature storage underneath as well as concealed feature lighting, and the teak table will lower to become a daybed.
SAFELY FORWARD
“Wide 300mm (11.8”) walk-around side decks with well-placed hand rails will give easy access to her expansive foredeck – a real entertainment zone onboard with two weather-proof speakers located under the windscreen brow and connected to the main salon stereo system so the whole yacht can party together,” said Mr Moxey. “For total comfort, the upholstered double sun pad will have an innovative folding bimini for respite from the sun, as well as adjustable back rests.”
As with every Riviera, all deck hardware aboard the 5400 will be 316 marine-grade stainless steel.
STEPPING INSIDE
“As you slide open the glass salon door, set in a strong stainless steel frame built into the rear bulkhead, you will immediately sense that the Riviera interior design team has created a luxurious yacht that is both welcoming and expansive, and designed to deliver all the delights of a lavish and contemporary life afloat,” said Mr Moxey.
“Immediately to starboard will be the aft gourmet galley – a generous and efficient U-space just off to the side of the fore and aft traffic. Here, the transition from exterior to interior merges with a wide glass awning window opening out and up to bring the outdoors (and entertainment) inside, and placing the chef right in the heart of the party.
“The 5400’s galley will feature the very latest in premium appliances and conveniences, complimented by breakfast bar stools and varnished cabinetry with positive locking hardware for the drawers and cupboards. In fact all drawers throughout the yacht will feature Blum stainless steel, soft-close runners and the galley will have the same hard-wearing, high-quality timber finish flooring used in all high-traffic areas of the yacht to ensure practicality in terms of wet or sandy feet.”
To port there will be a cocktail cabinet with dual refrigeration featuring low-maintenance, stainless steel drawers, as well as a wine cooler and glass and bottle storage. Forward and to port will be a large L-shaped leather lounge with highly detailed dinette, with the option of an electric-lift hi-lo table that can be converted to a day bed.
Air-conditioning will be standard to both the salon and galley and staterooms however natural breezes can be easily captured through the hardtop’s electric sliding glass sunroof and also through sliding tinted and toughened glass saloon side windows.
The entertainment systems in the main living area and staterooms will include LED televisions, premium surround sound and also iPod interface.
RETIRE TO YOUR PRIVATE RETREAT
Mr Moxey said the 5400’s full-beam master stateroom amidships will feature a king-sized walk-around bed with premium innerspring mattress and new feature timber headboard.
“Sweeping, fixed and tinted hull windows on both sides of the master stateroom will draw in plenty of natural light while fresh air will be introduced through opening portholes alarmed to the helm in the event they are left open,” he said. “There will also be his and hers cedar-lined hanging lockers to both port and starboard with automatic lighting, as well as additional cabinetry to port and a private lounge to starboard.
“The master ensuite will be located forward and to port and will boast a contemporary design with similar luxurious fixtures in the VIP guest ensuite which, with its two-way entry, will also serve as the day head.
COMPLETE RETREAT FOR GUESTS
The VIP guest stateroom forward will feature a queen-sized walk-around island bed with storage underneath, hanging locker to port and further storage with shelves to starboard. Fixed hull windows will bring in natural light, complementing the fresh air to be introduced through an overhead deck hatch. Of course, the hatch and hull windows will all be able to be screened for privacy.
The port-side guest stateroom will feature adult-sized upper and lower berths and also soft padded hull and headlinings as well as an overhead hatch. This space can also be utilized as an atrium lounge, if desired.
TAKE THE HELM
Mr Moxey said the sports-inspired helm console of the 5400 Sport Yacht will have excellent visibility and ergonomics so that all critical navigation electronics, comprehensive engine instrumentation and vessel controls are within easy reach of the central, deluxe Recaro electric adjusting helm seat.
“This inspiring new model fittingly will come with a high-quality leather sports steering wheel, sunken backlit dash, ample storage compartments for binoculars, phone, iPad and instrument covers, as well as drink-holders and two 15-inch multi-function display screens, although there will be enough room for two optional 17-inch display screens,” he said.
“We are also designing in access under the helm to ensure easy and efficient servicing.”
THE POWER AND TECHNOLOGY ARE YOURS
The 5400 Sport Yacht will be powered by Volvo Penta’s innovative Inboard Propulsion System (IPS), offering an excellent power-to-weight ratio, spirited performance, enhanced torque, improved fuel efficiency, simple maneuverability and quiet operation thanks to under-water exhausts.
Twin Volvo Penta IPS2-800 (2 x 441kW/626hp) D11 engines and pod drive units as standard propulsion, with optional IPS2-950 (2 x 533kW/725hp) D11 engines and pod drive units.
Joysticks will be located at the helm and in her cockpit so a skipper, either solo or with a novice crew, is able to simply push and twist the joystick and the yacht will respond immediately, pivoting in place or tracking sideways into a tight berth.
Mr Moxey said IPS also offers a Dynamic Positioning System (DPS) for station-holding while preparing lines and fenders or while waiting off a fuel jetty, the convenience of Auto Pilot, manual trimming with optional auto-trim, as well as a highly-efficient Anti-Corrosion Protection (ACP) unit mounted to the transom to reduce the maintenance of sacrificial anodes.
“The propellers on the 5400 will be protected by the premium anti-foul coating Propspeed to achieve a long service life, as well as stainless steel line-cutters from Volvo Penta between the propellers for protection from ropes, fishing lines, plastic bags or nets,” he said.
Mr Moxey said the new 5400 will also feature convenient access to every key maintenance point so any issues can be quickly identified and addressed, and service costs are kept to a minimum.
“Of course, this thoughtful consideration for our Riviera family of owners is another example of our ethos of doing all we can to help our valued owners achieve … ‘the ultimate boating experience’,” he said.