Riviera 57 Enclosed Bridge
About 15 years ago, I spent a summer season running a Riviera 40 Convertible. It was my first experience with the Australian-based builder. I took that boat up and down the East Coast, fishing far-flung bluewater waypoints. Every marina I stopped at, people asked me, “Who built that?”
She was a pleasure to be aboard, from her clean, flowing lines and stout, solid fiberglass hull form to the flawless high-gloss teak interior and first-rate fit and finish throughout.
Riviera 57 Enclosed Bridge
So I was excited when I saw this builder’s latest: the 57 Enclosed Bridge , a formidable vessel that sits in the middle of a seven-model line ranging from 43 to 77 feet length overall.
Riviera 57 Enclosed Bridge
Some things haven’t changed, such as Riviera’s commitment to constructing high-quality, built-for-the-sea craft with solid fiberglass hulls and collision bulkheads forward, while other elements have evolved for this 57 Enclosed Bridge.
Riviera 57 Enclosed Bridge
For instance, this boat comes with either pod drives or straight-shaft power options. Both can be set up with joystick controls. There’s the expanded use of glass, including hullside windows that offer great vistas from the full-beam master stateroom. One of my personal favorite touches is the flip-up window from the salon to the cockpit, allowing for effortless conversation with guests both inside and outside. With an aft-galley layout, that window is a great pass-through to the L-shaped mezzanine seating and table for happy-hour hors d’oeuvres.
Riviera 57 Enclosed Bridge
She’s well-outfitted for entertaining indoors too, with a wide-open, main-deck floor plan that has near 360-degree views. Guests can easily rest up, watch the sea go by, enjoy a meal and chat at the portside C-shaped dining area for six or the L-shaped settee across from it. You can also take in a rainy-day movie on the salon’s 48-inch LED TV in the forward dash. Light-tone, satin oak wood helps keep the interior bright and warm.
Riviera 57 Enclosed Bridge
Her enclosed bridge is more than a protected helm area too. It is, in fact, another party space with an L-shaped lounge abaft and to port of the helm seats, 28-inch LED TV, wet bar and outdoor lounge. Another flip-up window lets in fresh salt air, and an aft docking station helps you put the Riviera 57 into her slip. Three staterooms and two heads below-decks easily accommodate the family on those extended summer cruises. Have more guests? The salon dining table drops to form a double berth.
Riviera 57 Enclosed Bridge
The 57 is a smart evolution. She retains many traits that make this brand great while changing things, but not in a radical way. And if this 57 needs a season-long sea trial, I know someone who is ready.
