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The New Yachts of Riviera

Ship Talk: Riviera is the largest boat manufacturer of Australia. The seaworthy company is renowned worldwide with sales and distribution in more than 30 countries. Riviera produces luxury watercraft through four distinctive model lines: Flybridge, Offshore Express, Sport Yacht, and Sport Cruiser. Flybridge, the firm's most prolific collection, has 10 offerings, including three new boats. The Sport Yacht collection boasts two models, while the Offshore Express and Sport Cruiser collection have just one model each. However, as the extremely industrious outfit annually produces approximately 350 ships, more ship models being launched is a given.

Rivieras are spacious and dependable crafts with a proclivity toward high performance and innovatively designed CAD/CAM hulls. Its technological standards are indeed noteworthy. Highly acclaimed naval architect Frank Mulder is the designer of prominent of the newest members of the Riviera Flybridge collection: the 47 Enclosed Flybridge, the 45 Open Flybridge, and the 41 Open Flybridge.

The Riviera 47 Enclosed Flybridge is a tad longer than 53 feet and sleeps six to eight guests with three staterooms. The spacious and opulently decorated saloon and gallery have sumptuous leather upholstery, cherry-wood accents and furnishings with sturdy and stylish hardware fittings throughout. The enclosed flybridge, which seats five, is air-conditioned and has a wet bar. The ergonomically correct table and helm chairs can easily be raised or lowered as preferred. The 45 Open Flybridge is 51.25 feet long and sleeps six with three cavernous cabins. The flybridge seats six adults. Its molded exterior staircase is both convenient and attractive. The 46-foot Riviera 41 Open Flybridge has a surprisingly spacious interior and numerous features seen mostly in larger yachts. The 41 OF sleeps five to seven guests in two large cabins. These Rivieras rock the waters with less exhaust emissions than comparable ships.

The newly released sporty 4400 SY with its optional dual 435-horespower engines is a glide-ride with a kick that also offers good fuel economy. Its two cabins lavishly accommodate five guests. The Riviera 48 OE rounds out the latest launched luxury yachts of the arduous boat builders.

The Australian Marine Industries Federation cited the Riviera 4700 SY as the Australian Boat of the Year. Modern Boating magazine named the same sports yacht the 2007 Cruiser of the Year. Riviera's 3600 SY was awarded the 2007 Best Motor Yacht Under 40 Feet at the Christophle Asia Boating Magazine Awards show.

A voyage to Riviera's Web site is an undeniable pleasure cruise yachtsmen will treasure. Landlubbers are welcomed too!

For LxM James Rothaar