Riviera 4400 Sport Yacht

[Sundays_Child]

Hi Poweryacht,

I had a good look over the 3600 this weekend. Sad to say I wasn't overly impressed with the quality for a boat costing the equivalent of Euro 290K + VAT.

I would put the exteriro quality of finish at Jeanneau Presitge standard (smaller ones) and interior would be not as good.

Still like the (almost) single-level saloon and cockpit, and it felt very light inside, with nice views out. Certainly better than being in a cave like most sportscruisers. However, the cave layout does give more interior and exterior space as a combined total.

I think the 4400 will have the LOA to really make the design open up. Hopefully it'll also have improved finish.

the 4400 certainly looks nicer than the Nimbus 42 Nova, but if they were similar $, It'd be hard for me not to choose the Nimbus. Where looks would win me over is with the Fjord 40, but it's certainly not everyone's cup of tea.

A group test would be great! Along with the Marquis 40, any other single-level living area boats that would be direct competitors?

 

[PowerYachtBlog]

hmm I am pretty surprised about this, so a Riviera 40 Sport Fisherman and was very well impressed, especially the engine room and lazarette touches
what where the comments of the builder, to your complains? Was the boat an old one or a new one?

Hard Top Patio Door Sports Cruiser IPS power List:
- Riviera 4400 Sport Yacht
- Marquis 420 SC
- Azimut 43 S
- Bruno Abbate Primatist G 46 Aerotop Pininfarina Special
- Airon Marine 4300 T-Top Special
- Abati 45 Newport (lobster design but IMO it can be is an alternative)

 

[Sundays_Child]

Didn't get to see the engine room. Their "sales" lady didn't even know what engines it had, let alone how to let me take a look. I didn't think it worthwhile pointing out my critisisms to her. But things like sharp points where wood met fibreglass on the steps down to the cabins were very unimpressive.

How could I have forgotten the Az 43S? They had one at the show too, together with a stunning 86S.

 

[PowerYachtBlog]

hehe you could not I think its one of the most wanted IPS cruiser
forgot the Price attracter Beneteau 12 Flyer in that list

I think my personal favorites picture wise would be a close tie between the Riviera, Abati and Primatist

BTW isn't it strange that no British builder offers such a boat, taking again into consideration the UK weather etc

 

[Sundays_Child]

Sealine SC39 I suppose.

 

[Sundays_Child]

Just watched a Riviera promo DVD that came with an Aussie boating mag.

Great 27 min video of a shakedown cruise from the Gold Coast to Lord Howe island and back. Gorgeous scenery.

Anyway, the second part of the DVD is full-on promotion and as Poweryacht says, they do claim (exact quote) that they are the "Number 2 flybridge brand in the Americas by market share".

They say they are producing 350 boats a year and "over 50%" are exported.

While they have dealers in Panama, Venezuela, Caribbean etc, it seems that they might be over exaggerating?

Anyway, still great to watch. They did it in an enclosed 56 flybridge with twin 1,015hp at an average of just over ten knots. Helicopter, shadow boat, pro job.

It was a shakedown cruise as the 79 year old owner is now planning on rounding Australia!

At 10 knots I'd rather go for a stabilised SD! Don't know what a Marlow 57 costs comapred to a Riviera 56, but I'd have to guess it's very competitive.

Anyway, good luck to the owner. He says he has one last big trip in him and won't be dissuaded!