Riviera are living up to their self-imposed world-class standard of luxury and craftsmanship with their latest release, the new 57 Enclosed Flybridge, a boat that is built for the good life and showcases Australian style, design and manufacturing at its best.
It was one of those particularly stunning Sydney mornings cruising aboard Riviera’s brand new 57 Enclosed Flybridge. Piercing the calm of a sparkling harbour we cruised through the famous sandstone heads under a sky of perfect aquiline hue to seas that deepened every metre into an intense, cobalt blue.
A more picture perfect scene for “living the dream,” as Riviera so aptly puts it, one could not imagine. To do so in such luxurious surrounds, knowing that this microcosm of comfort had been handcrafted locally on Australia’s Gold Coast, further added to the satisfaction and pleasure of the experience.
It was Riviera at its best, delivering on its oft-stated mission to provide the ultimate “fulfilment of the dream” – to deliver market leading reliability, durability, manageability and serviceability in recreational boating. Australia’s Riviera marque has indeed been going from strength to strength in pursuit of this mission with a flotilla of new model choices designed and built every year, the magnificent 57 Enclosed Flybridge but one of many available.
Ever since Queenslander Rodney Longhurst purchased the Riviera business from receivers, following years of the company toughing out the GFC whilst still under the ownership of banks, the iconic ‘R’ brand has radiated a brimming new positivity. Whether a prospective Riviera customer or a current owner looking to upgrade to an all-new model, they can do so with the confidence of Riviera’s renewed capital backing, its reputation for ‘Australian Made’ quality and the clear brand values inherent in this iconic name in motor cruisers.
The 57 Enclosed Flybridge packs a lot into a very manageable, yet generous size.
Whilst it’s all well and good for a yard to talk up ‘the dream’ of the ultimate boating experience, delivering on that takes a high level of craftsmanship and creativity in every new model launched. This is a task that Riviera has undertaken with serious intent, consulting with their customers about what they most seek in their ideal motor yacht, with every suggestion and improvement vital for new product development.
Importantly for Riviera’s focus on quality and constant improvement is the leadership from the top provided by owner Rodney Longhurst, a cabinetmaker by trade, who ‘walks the talk’ on the factory floor as readily as in the office. NPD (new product development) meetings are held weekly with the design and production team with every new project reviewed in minute detail to examine how it could be done better.
The result of this attention to detail is clearly evident in new launches such as the Riviera 57 Enclosed Flybridge – a family-friendly, luxuriously appointed, tri-level, three-cabin/two bathroom model. Designed to be capable of long range, bluewater passages, whilst not really a traditional passagemaker, when required this 60-foot, 30-tonne boat can romp up the coast to your favourite destination at an impressive pace. A high cruising speed of 28.4 knots at 2,100rpm delivers a range of 379 nautical miles from a 900 horsepower twin-engine Volvo IPS installation, supplied by a generous 4,000 litres of fuel capacity. Though ease back on the throttles and the scope of your explorations before docking to refuel vastly expands – up to 1,027 nautical miles when displacement cruising at (say) 9.3 knots / 900rpm. Another key design quest for this new model was to utilise every bit of space aboard as efficiently as possible and to provide ease of access to everything for owners whilst at sea, without having to call in the techs, so the Riviera 57 is very much a bluewater boat.
The enclosed flybridge has a commanding view from the helm with all the luxuries for entertaining.
Hull number one that I was cruising aboard off Sydney was built for America. She was due to be shipped there soon after a debut appearance early last August at the Sydney International Boat Show, and was proudly flying the ‘Australian Made’ flag at Fort Lauderdale in November 2015, with a Riviera 52 Flybridge and 6000 Sport Yacht also on show. It was showtime again for the big new boat in February at Yachts Miami Beach (previously known as the Miami Yacht and Brokerage Show), where the 57 Flybridge was joined on the Riviera marina by Riviera’s 43 Open Flybridge, 445 and 525 SUV models, the Belize 54 Daybridge, and the world premiere of Riviera’s all-new 5400 Sport Yacht. This was undoubtedly an impressive demonstration of the variety of new models available from Riviera.
The new Riviera 57 Flybridge draws much of its lineage from the 53 Enclosed Flybridge that was launched in 2010/2011, and which the 57 now serves to replace. This is particularly as this latest design shares the same hull platform as the previous 53, however, the Riviera 57 is otherwise an altogether new boat, with features and styling more in tune with the ‘new look’ design cues first seen in the current 52 Enclosed Flybridge. According to Riviera’s head of marketing, Stephen Milne, there are for instance some 2,000 pieces of timber on the new 57 Enclosed Flybridge of which only 30 or so are common with the previous 53 model.
Walking the interiors of the 57, you notice that headroom throughout the boat has markedly increased when compared to the 53. This is because the deck has been raised (and thus also the freeboard of the hull) in the design of the new model, serving to increase the overall volume of the boat.
The galley is fitted with everything you need to make this a home away from home.
Significantly, a keel has been added to the hull (the design for which has been fully approved by the Volvo IPS engineering department that had previously been opposed to keels for IPS pod-driven boats). The keel provides noticeably improved directional stability, both when underway and at anchor, where the 57 Enclosed Flybridge will swing around less when moored compared to a previous IPS model with no keel to address lateral drift.
Riviera has also taken the opportunity to add additional reinforced structure to the hull of the 57, both for improved rigidity (as Riviera owner/chairman Rodney Longhurst firmly believes that a Riviera should be able to handle any offshore sea state it encounters) and to accommodate the greater horsepower requirements of the larger volume boat. In IPS pod-driven guise, this first Riviera 57 is powered by twin 900 horsepower Volvo Penta IPS 1200 common-rail, turbo diesels that deliver oodles of torque and top end power via IPS3 pod drives, the largest that Volvo produce. These pods are the very latest technology in IPS propulsion with truly enormous forward facing, counter-rotating props delivering an equivalent of 1,200 horsepower per side, if compared to a traditionally powered, shaft-driven boat. This effectively translates to 2,400 horses available to push the big Riviera 57 to a surprisingly high top speed of some 35 knots with throttles wide open. Smaller 725 horsepower Volvo IPS950 engines are also available (as standard).
In a significant milestone, this is the first Riviera model that can be ordered either as a pod-drive boat (by Volvo IPS) or as a traditional shaft-driven boat (by CAT C12 or MTU). This is possible due to the new keel integrated into the design of the 57’s hull, which from the outset was designed to allow for owner’s choice of pod or shaft drive propulsion – pleasing both traditionalists and pod drive converts alike. The engine room configurations of each are also designed for central positioning of a gyro stabiliser such as Seakeeper, an increasingly popular option that for a boat of this calibre would be a ‘must tick’ box on my order sheet.
The master suite reflects a home.
Off Sydney Heads, the kindly swell wasn’t exactly going to be an all-out test of the offshore capabilities of the new boat, though I can report that driving the 57 from the ultra-modern flybridge helm was a delight as we took the boat through a series of typical manoeuvres.
Riviera designers have clearly considered both driving ergonomics and styling considerations in the design of the helm station. It is reminiscent of the latest business jet cockpits with its clean-cut, minimalist ‘glass panel’ display comprising three large Garmin flat screens presenting a wealth of navigational and engine information at a glance, with old world analogue dials, gauges, and knobs kept to a bare minimum.
A central pedestal extends from the helm station between the skipper and passenger’s seat, again reminiscent of an aircraft cockpit, and is a new Riviera helm design I’ve not previously encountered. It is beautifully upholstered in chocolate leather with black insets, as for the panel and glareshield, and in pride of place on the pedestal sits the Volvo throttle quadrant, Garmin multi-function controller for the screens and various switch gear immediately at the skipper’s right hand. The driving position is set bang on the centreline of the boat where the skipper sits high upon a leather-clad throne with fully adjustable chrome and black leather-trimmed Riviera helm wheel directly at hand, and to the immediate left is a Volvo IPS joystick docking controller. It’s a truly tremendous layout… and I’ve seen many a helm and driven a lot of boats in my time!
The flybridge is now fully enclosed on all sides, with a sliding rear door and hopper window, large opening sunroof above and sliding windows that allow you to open it up completely in nice weather, or fully enclose it in wet and windy conditions – and its air-conditioned. The interior space up here is yet another improvement on what’s previously been seen from Riviera, featuring a small forward lounge to the immediate left of the driver, and a long L-shaped lounge on the port side wrapping around a fixed table for cocktails at sunset, with a TV and cabinetry with plenty of storage and a drinks fridge opposite.
Riviera really know how to embrace Australian open-plan living at its best.
Aft of the sliding chrome door there’s an all-weather deck area fitted with clears on the sides and featuring integrated aft-facing cockpit seating – the first the company has offered – and to starboard an (optional) exterior helm / docking station that includes a stainless Edson wheel, throttle quadrant and IPS joystick.
A short flight of interior stairs to starboard takes one to the majesty of a vast open saloon.
There is an immediate impression of space, calm and light, and indeed that is exactly as Riviera has intended aboard the new 57 with its greater ceiling height and hence larger (and opening) windows surrounding the saloon, providing a kaleidoscope of 360-degree views.
As on the flybridge deck, the contrasting light and dark of fine leather upholstery with the veneers of a teak and oak interior nicely offset the other, with attention to detail evident in the matching of the timber grains in the finishing of cabinetry. It’s a world-class interior, that is also practical in the Australian way.
Forward to port is a huge L-shaped lounge surrounding a table for six that rises to dine or lowers for wine and cheese as you choose. Another equally large L-shaped lounge is opposite to starboard, making for a magnificent entertaining space for owner, family and friends.
The galley, located aft of the lounge and dining area in the current fashion, is equally roomy and well appointed. It is fitted with enough culinary appliances, refrigerators, freezers and a multitude of storage spaces to make this a home away from home for genuinely extended cruising. A sliding rear door and large hopper window open onto the aft cockpit, which is a three-step affair to the teak-laid deck below. It makes for easy alfresco dining service and entertaining aboard, with integrated L-shaped cockpit seating and table on the port side just a step below the hopper window, and directly opposite an outdoor drinks fridge, icemaker, and of course the obligatory barbeque.
With ultra-modern ergonomics and array of navigational electronics, the helm console on the flybridge is a delight.
Riviera’s latest thinking for this all important piece of culinary and social equipment is repositioning the barbeque to starboard under the cover of the aft flybridge awning for all-weather grilling, rather than the previously popular (though more exposed) position seen on many flybridge boats with the barbeque integrated into the transom, a feature which I must say I have often enjoyed. According to Riviera, it’s up to owner choice – either to have an integrated aft lounge in the transom, a nice new feature of this boat, or to have the barbeque positioned there. As the 57 is predominantly designed as a family and friends boat, rather than a bluewater fishing machine, these two choices will be the most optioned, however if you’d like a live bait tank there instead, and a fighting chair bolted to the aft cockpit deck, just ask Riviera to do it – as they say, it’s all about delivering the dream.
At the end of a long day when it’s time to rest your head, there’s a world of luxury accommodation below deck. A central stair forward of the saloon leads to two double staterooms – one VIP forward and a wonderful full-beam master amidships. Both have direct ensuite bathroom access and generous storage, though the VIP / guest cabin shares its bathroom with a third double bunk cabin to starboard and also serves as a day head.
As each season rolls into the next, one can observe that Riviera are now more than ever masters of their game. When it comes to crafting cruisers that deliver on the aspirational boating mantra of “living the dream,” the ‘R’ brand excels in that quintessentially practical Aussie way, one that continues to see ever more of their boats adorning anchorages everywhere.
Model 57 Enclosed Flybridge
Designer Riviera design team
Builder Riviera Australia
Country of build Australia
LOA 18.5 metres
Beam 5.13 metres
Draft 1.58 metres
Displacement 34.5 tonnes fully laden
Hull construction Solid GRP hull from the the waterline down. Cored topsides
Superstructure GRP
Engines Volvo Penta D11 IPS 950 x 2
Output 533kW or 725 hp
Propellers Volvo Penta
Drive train IPS pod drives
Gear box Volvo Penta
Speed max 34.5 knots
Speed cruise 28.4 knots
Fuel capacity 4,000 litres
Range 379 nm @ 28.4 knots
Freshwater capacity 750 litres
Blackwater capacity 500 litres
Generators Onan
Gen-set size 17.5 kW
Anchoring systems Muir
Navigation electronics Volvo Penta Glass Bridge by Garmin
Depth sounder Volvo Penta Glass Bridge by Garmin
Underwater lights Aqualuma lights option
Radios Raymarine VHF
Owner Master stateroom, King size island berth
Guest berths VIP guest stateroom – Queen size island berth, Guest cabin – upper and lower berths
Entertainment systems LED TV’s in saloon, cabins and flybridge / Yamaha AV receiver with Bose speaker system in saloon
Galley appliances Combination oven, induction 3 burner cooktop, range hood, drawer dishwasher, 2 drawer refrigerators
Classification Planning hull
Standard warranties 12 month warranty with 5 year structural warranty
Price AU$2,062,000 (base) AU$2,468,800 (as tested)