CUSTOM DESIGN PLUS CUSTOMER DESIGN All Riviera vessels today are designed using state-of-the-art three-dimensional Computer Aided Design (CAD) systems. These virtually allow you to ‘walk through’ a vessel that, as yet, only exists as pixels on a screen or ideas in our designers' minds. Despite such power, the creation of a Riviera does not take place in some ivory design tower. Two very important sets of information are fed into the process. One is engineering parameters; in this case, the propulsion systems and the specifications of various high-technology construction materials. The second...

TURNING UP THE VOLUME Propulsion decisions have played a large part in determining many aspects of the 53’s design envelope. We’ll get into more detail further on but for now the key choice of pod drives has also driven a number of other improvements. For one thing, it has enabled us to run hull lines straight aft from the maximum mid-ship girth (her beam is 5.13m—16’10”). This, in turn, provides a more buoyant lift and planing surface, as well as greater stability: to operate on a more even keel, so to speak. This also allows, in turn, a vessel of greater volume. But the perception of magnitude...

WIDE OPEN WELCOME Just ahead and above the bar area is the stylish internal staircase that ascends to the flybridge. Carefully designed to minimise any ‘boxedin’ feeling or obscuring of views from the saloon, this floating teak tread staircase is elegantly suspended on polished stainless rails and filigree supports. While this tempts us to head straight up top, we’ll come to the flybridge shortly, because right ahead of the galley and staircase the 53 opens its arms wide to almost smother you with hospitality. To your port is a capital-C shaped dinette (convertable to a double berth) encircling...

CHEF AS ORCHESTRATOR Just inside that impressive all-glass rear bulkhead is the aft galley station. Its generous and efficient two-person U-space is just off to one side of any people traffic, but is very much the ‘conductor’s podium’— in the centre of the social scene. This galley is almost a display kitchen for the latest in appliances, set off by high gloss timber cabinetry and solid surface bench tops. The warm heart of the galley is the stainless steel cooking array that includes a combination oven/microwave, induction cooktop and electric grill. The Vitrifrigo refrigeration suite features...

HIDDEN TREASURES The cockpit obviously offers a lot more than clear sight and sound from the audiovisual systems. This area is really any cruiser’s or angler’s dream. For one thing, it’s nearly eleven square metres in size. You can imagine there’s plenty of space for a table and, well, numerous chairs. But it’s also large enough to allow a mezzanine level and optional lounge, the ideal platform to take in the fishing action. Or the sunset. Or just an eye-widening view of the awesome, rapidly-vanishing contrail of a 53 foot boat, on song, at full throttle. We’ve almost made such an art form of...

MORE CAPITAL-C COMFORT Turning instead back to the interior staircase and the flybridge: The area upstairs is another complete revelation. At first, you think you’re still down in the saloon, so generous is this space. Blink and check again. No, there’s a helm station up here— set fully forward for the cruiser (a position preferred by many coastal passagemakers). But up here is also another enormously comfy C-shaped lounge and hi-lo table. There’s also a wet bar opposite, with drawer fridges and sink — all serving to keep you refreshed while under way. And all nice and close to the staircase...

COMPLETE RETREAT The Master stateroom itself, again defying convention for a vessel of this size, luxuriates right across the full beam. This sanctuary is accessed by its very own short, half-turn ‘private’ staircase, continuing below the main companionway. This is not on the way to anywhere else. The Master’s king-size island bed is set in the gentle ‘sweet spot’ right amidships, with real dancing room either side; even allowing glossy cabinetry along both perimeters to include a lift-up dressing table as well as builtin writing bureau. The Master not only has full length picture windows but...

The Guest stateroom (or VIP suite, if they’re very favoured friends) engenders no envy of the level of luxury in the Master. Located forward, it positions a Queen-size island bed in pride of place, again with good side access, plenty of fragrant, cedar-lined, gown-length hanging space, and its own ensuite bathroom which, with twin entry, easily doubles as the day head. Yet, there’s still room left over; enough for a generous third guest cabin featuring twin Pullman style bunks, but nowhere near as dinky as their romantic train-travel namesakes. These bunks are each 2 metres long and up to 600mm...

NOT BREAKING THE SOUND BARRIER Because the new 53 is essentially built around her pod propulsion, the compactness that brings has a profound effect on space saving, starting with the engine room itself; not only providing more height, volume and access, but leaving enough room over to allow the option of a separate workshop. The freedom to place fuel tanks mid-ships, right across the centreline, from keel-tosaloon-sole, creates a complete sound-barrier wall to the master stateroom, while providing better centre-of-balance to the vessel during cruising, or indeed at anchor, when exposed to passing...

CRAFTED WITH PASSION Riviera is an Australian success story and a major international marketer of luxury pleasure boats. Our growth over more than 34 years has resulted in a company that today creates and manufactures three individual model collections and supports an international dealer network that spans more than 60 countries. We are also Australia’s most awarded pleasure boat manufacturer. The secret of our success is an absolute commitment to quality. Be it our 400 strong team of people, our work practices, materials, tools and technology, environmental responsibility or after sales service,...