When it comes to boatbuilding, a design that appeals to a global market of experienced boaters is difficult to achieve. Interior volume compromises speed, performance hulls compromise interior accommodations, forward-positioned guest areas can compromise operation, and the list goes on. Add to this the preferences of experienced boaters in the varied cruising regions around the world, and it’s easy to understand why most midsize yacht models are targeted to one single audience at a time.
Rivera Yachts’ new flagship 78 Motor Yacht aims to shift this paradigm.
For 42 years, Australian production boatbuilder Riviera Yachts has designed, engineered and crafted solid fiberglass performance boats across a variety of models that has evolved to comprise the Sports Motor Yacht, SUV, Open and Enclosed Flybridge, Sport Yacht and Belize models ranging from 39 to 72 feet.
Making its American debut at the 2022 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, the new 78 Motor Yacht heralds the dawn of a new era for the builder. Created in collaboration with World Superyacht Award-winning yacht designer Luca Vallebona, the new 78 marries the builder’s performance-oriented heritage and engineering excellence with the design and layout befitting a European superyacht.
Drawing on the years of experience and feedback from nearly 6,000 experienced owners, Riviera collaborated with the Italian designer to create a flexible design that would accommodate a variety of layouts suited to the equally diverse lifestyles of its global clientele.
The World is Your Riviera
Customization options abound aboard the new Rivera 78, and they extend well beyond the selection of cushion color or flooring material—although these options are indeed part of the design process, which can be guided by Riviera’s in-house design team.
First, the foredeck area can incorporate multiple configurations for entertainment, as well as an option to stow the tender or personal watercraft with the davit. Crew quarters can be implemented aft of the engine room in a space that can alternatively serve as a laundry or utility room for owner-operators, and the interior layout can be arranged to suit an owner’s preference.
Balance Within
Sporting the sleek lines that portray the signature Riviera look, the 78 is marked by large windows on all three decks, lending a contemporary feel to the iconic style. An expansive boarding platform integrates a hydraulic swim platform into steps that can be raised or lowered to meet the level of the boarding surface. Wing doors to port and starboard on the aft deck offer additional access when boarding from a raised fixed jetty. A spacious watersports garage on this level comfortably houses all manner of gear and water toys as specified by the owner. It also offers a freshwater-mixer shower and a built-in air compressor for inflatables.
Taking advantage of Riviera’s bluewater boating DNA, the 78 Motor Yacht offers one of the more practical and user-friendly aft decks found on a midsize yacht. This space is equipped with a large settee aft, a wet bar with refrigeration, ice maker and double barbecue station, and a television. A folding teak table seats eight with a fixed settee and free-standing chairs. At the touch of a button, the main salon—with its galley-aft layout—can be integrated with the aft deck via opening the electric salon door and electric high-low galley window. When open, the wet bar—with its optional swing-out stools—becomes an extension of the galley, and the entire space becomes a large indoor-outdoor entertainment area that can enjoy the yacht’s high-end sound system. This space can also be designed to quickly enclose for inclement weather and be air-conditioned if desired.
Dining is an important element of the yachting experience, and the 78’s aft-positioned galley is fully equipped with premium appliances, dual full-size refrigerators with freezer drawers, twin Miele combination ovens and a Miele four-element induction cooktop. This inspired space also features a one-and-a-half basin sink with an incinerator and an integrated Zip system that delivers soda and hot, cold and boiling water. A dishwasher, range hood, ample storage and solid-surface bench tops round out a space that will be the envy of all yacht chefs.
Configured and outfitted with premium furniture to the owner’s preference, the main salon is situated forward of the galley, highlighted by the yacht’s large tinted windows with electric blinds, which provide a theater atmosphere for evening movie premieres. The space within the yacht’s 19-foot-8-inch beam can feature an L-shaped lounge with an ottoman, as well as a dining area with a convertible dining table. A wet bar with a fridge, wine cooler and sink is situated forward to port. Alternatively, the interior dining space can be configured as a large lounge and cinema area with a fold-down television assisted by the superior sound system. A door to starboard provides access to the wide side decks leading to the foredeck entertainment area.
Riviera’s 78 Motor Yacht comfortably sleeps eight in four staterooms, with the lower-deck accommodations accessed via a curved stairwell forward of the salon. Situated amidships, the full-beam master stateroom features a high-low electric king bed, a large walk-in wardrobe and a spacious en suite. Among the luxury amenities, each stateroom is highlighted by premium carpeting, reverse-cycle air conditioning and a high-end theater system, while the large windows with opening portholes bring plentiful natural light into these spaces. Forward, the VIP with its own en suite is nestled in the bow, while a convertible twin to port shares an entry to the en suite/day head. The cabin to starboard offers two adult-size Pullman beds for a truly flexible layout.
Balance Without
The exterior spaces of the 78 are equally noteworthy. Maximizing the space afforded by the often-overlooked foredeck area, the 78 Motor Yacht offers a variety of options for this space as well. The yacht’s wide side decks feature raised coamings that illuminate at night for a serene and luxurious feel and lead forward to the foredeck area with its flexible configurations. This space can be fitted with a U-shaped settee or a large sun bed, while a dedicated sound system and sunshades accommodate relaxation amid a panoramic view. Long-range cruisers might prefer to incorporate a hydraulic davit and stow the tender or personal watercraft in this space.
Entertainment on the Fly
Designed for entertaining, the 78 Motor Yacht offers a fully enclosed, air-conditioned space with an L-shaped lounge and slide-out bed, television, high-end sound system, and a cabinet with a wet bar and wine fridge. An opening sunroof and electric side windows bring the alfresco element to this space.
The flybridge design features sliding doors that extend the wheelhouse, with its triple helm chairs, curved tempered-glass windshield, and ultramodern command console on an alfresco aft deck fitted with a U-shaped lounge and high-low table that can lower to create a daybed. An optional day head is conveniently situated to starboard, while a wet bar with bar stools to port is equipped with a fridge and ice maker.
Performance is Inherited
While the new 78 has a luxurious and contemporary European sensibility to its guest spaces, one must not forget the rugged coastal Australian DNA inherent in the Riviera brand, and performance and seakeeping are integral elements of the build. Twin MAN V-12 engines offered at 1,550, 1,800 or 2,000 hp propel the shaft-drive 78 Motor Yacht to an impressive max speed up to 34 knots, while a comfortable 10-knot cruise affords a 1,000 nm range. Aft docking stations control the Twin Disc hydraulic thrusters, and next-generation CZone digital switching interfaces with an iPad to offer convenient monitoring and control.
With its new 78 Motor Yacht, Riviera Yachts will undoubtedly capture the attention of a knowledgeable global audience who appreciates the balance of solid build quality, rugged performance and thoughtfully curated design.
For more information about the Riviera Yachts 78 Motor Yacht, visit its site.
