riviera 78 motor yacht

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A Luxurious Explorer: Riviera’s 78 Motor Yacht

• By Tom Serio
• August 25, 2023

The Riviera Yachts 78 Motor Yacht’s sense of “wow” starts with a wave-battling, sharp bow with more than 6 feet of freeboard forward that also has a gentle flare. Then, there are the generously sized hull windows and gentle sheerline that splits to offer high deck railings. The sizable yacht’s main deck includes a fully covered after section, a salon that rivals fine apartments, and a bow lounge typically found on larger yachts. Topping it off is a flybridge deck with an extended aft terrace that offers great vistas or a private hideout.

In association with superyacht designer Luca Vallebona and the Riviera Design Group, the Australian builder set out to create more voluminous spaces, maximize stowage, maintain excellent lines of sight and wrap it all in a functional layout. Goals achieved.

Take the salon: A portside sofa complements the opposing side’s L-shaped sofa (with oh-so-soft pillows) and oversized ottoman while maintaining walking space. One way Riviera creates floor space is by tucking away items that are not always used. Riviera designed a table to hide within the portside sofa, so, after the cushions are moved, the table flips up and out from its base, becoming a dining table for six to eight guests. Additionally, the 55-inch flat-screen TV is not mounted in a credenza, but instead drops from overhead. When fully extended, it’s in line with the lower staircase’s railing, so it doesn’t impede the walking areas. The salon has 6-foot-7-inch headroom and side windows measuring more than 3 feet in height, enhancing the sense of space while offering ocean views and letting in natural light.

The galley is aft with an overhead cabinet along the starboard window, nestled next to the after corner fridge/freezer. There are clear sightlines from the aft deck through the salon, thanks to the absence of bulkheads. Rounding out the cooking amenities are an electric cooktop, options for hot or cold sparkling water at the sink, two ovens, a dishwasher, several fridges and a freezer compartment.

A drop-down electrical window aft, along with the sliding access door, seamlessly connects the salon, galley and aft deck.

The aft deck—16 by 13 by 7 feet—includes a transom sofa with an aft privacy screen, a perfect setup for cozying up with a good book. There is also a starboard-side, L-shaped settee with a walnut dining table. A portside credenza includes a wet bar, a grill, a lower fridge, an ice maker, Corian countertops and stowage.

Dual staircases lead down to the hydraulic swim platform, which not only lowers into the water for handling water toys and swimming, but also rises to clear the aft wash when running. It serves as an additional alfresco social space as well.

Up top, the enclosed flybridge is home to the yacht’s only helm station. This space is also a mini salon, another great social area. Guests can sink into the ultra-soft sofa across from the 44-inch TV. Add in the fresh breeze by opening the sunroof, aft door and side windows. Headroom here is an equally impressive 6 feet, 7 inches. An open-flybridge version is available.

The helm is laid out with four 24-inch Garmin multifunction displays, so the operator can keep eyes on all the vital data, navigation charts, radar, sonar, cameras and more at a glance. With so much glass around the flybridge, visibility is unobstructed in all directions.

Step through the aft door to the flybridge terrace for more alfresco relaxation space. Eat, drink and be merry at the portside corner wet bar, which has two stools (with latches underneath, preventing tipping when in transit). A U-shaped dining area here can be used as lounge seating as well. A half-awning shields some of the space from the elements. Aft space is sufficient for additional lounge chairs. An on-deck day head reduces the need to go below.

Belowdecks, the 78 Motor Yacht is geared for the cruising enthusiast’s family. There are four staterooms and three heads. Down the forward staircase from the salon, an atrium landing provides access to all the staterooms. The full-beam master is amidships with a lounge seat, as well as a head with a shower stall and a separate toilet space. There’s also a full-size office desk that brings new meaning to the phrase “remote working.” Two double-bunk staterooms are forward, with the VIP in the forepeak.

The 78 Motor Yacht is customizable, and Riviera is open to owner requests. Want to replace the pantry with another fridge? No problem. Change the layout of the salon? Sure.

I found that responsive handling comes standard. The 78 Motor Yacht is a graceful craft that reacts well to the single-lever controls, as well as to wheel input. Going hard over on the wheel doesn’t mean it’s a white-knuckle ride. There’s a gentle lean into the turns and an easy rise when hitting the wakes. In other words, this is an easy yacht for an owner-operator or a light crew.

Speaking with Chris McCafferty, international sales director at Riviera Australia, I learned that this yacht was ideal for its owner’s needs—which mirror a lot of owners’ needs in the global cruising community. “For this owner, we were able to check off all the boxes they had,” he said. Room for a cruising family? Check. A bluewater hull form and robust build? Check. Luxurious and homelike amenities? Check. Long range for extended cruising itineraries? Check. Inside and outside living? Check.

It appears that the Riviera 78 Motor Yacht does indeed check a lot of boxes. It makes me wonder: What will they think of next?

The Riviera 78 Motor Yacht’s engine options include V-12 MAN diesels in 1,500, 1,800 or 2,000 hp. The yacht I got aboard had the 2000s, providing a 21.1-knot cruise while burning 126 gallons per hour at 1,800 rpm, equating to a 450-nautical-mile range. At wide-open throttle, the yacht hit 29 knots at 2,200 rpm at a cost of 203 gph, yielding a range of 385 nm. Pull back the throttles to 10 knots for a 43 gph burn and a 2,500 nm range. 

Form and Function

Creating multifunction spaces is a focal point for Riviera. For example, the garage door opens to a large stowage room for water toys, rods and secured containers. A staircase (not a ladder) ensures safe footing into the well. When open, the garage door houses a rain-shower head and lighting to illuminate the platform and area aft.  

Smart design allows for a foredeck oasis with a forward-facing, U-shaped settee, a wooden table, side lounge seats and access to the foredeck gear.

Sitting in the Stidd helm seat and taking in the dash feels like commanding a spaceship. There are touchscreens for most all functions, and buttons for on/off controls. On the right of the seat is an extended platform that houses the throttles, joystick, autopilot and chart-plotter controllers.  

Take the next step: rivieraaustralia.com

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2022 Riviera 78 Motor Yacht review

Riviera’s largest motor yacht yet sets a new benchmark for the australian manufacturer.

Nothing seems to stand still at Riviera. With its order books overflowing, a huge expansion of its Coomera-based headquarters and an already rich and varied line-up of Riviera- and Belize-badged luxury motor yachts in build, business is booming.

But Riviera is always sensitive to customer needs. There’s a demand out there for ever-larger motor yachts with long-range cruising ability and no compromise on comforts, and this is where the all-new Riviera 78 Motor Yacht steps in.

The 25-metre Riviera 78 Motor Yacht is the Gold Coast-based company’s largest model to date.

What has made this new flagship model possible – and potentially an even larger one if rumours swirling ahead of the 2022 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show prove true – is a multimillion-dollar investment in Riviera’s production line to increase production by more than 20 per cent. Part of the focus has been on adding sheds large enough to build new boats up to 100 feet in length.

Related content:

• Riviera 78 Motor Yacht, the biggest, most expensive Riviera yet, revealed
• 2022 Riviera 78 Motor Yacht hits the water
• 2022 Riviera 78 Motor Yacht teased as hull No.1 takes shape
• Riviera locks in two surprise reveals for 2022 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show

The Riviera 78 Motor Yacht, then, is the first of the new generation of Rivieras that could one day start to push the boundaries of superyacht status.

The Riviera 78 Motor Yacht sits at the peak of Riviera’s 22 different sedan and flybridge models that spread across nine lines. The “Motor Yacht” in its title shows that the 78 belongs to Riviera’s new specialist line of accomplished bluewater cruisers – boats that its owners can take to far-flung places.

The Riviera 78 Motor Yacht comes with three levels of living, including a flybridge deck that can be specified as either a climate-controlled enclosed or open bridge deck layout.

Riviera has worked with its internal design team and called in the expertise of Italian superyacht designer Luca Vallebona to imbue the 78 Motor Yacht with an international flavour. 

The emphasis is on liveability, with accommodation for up to four couples and two crew, vast outdoor and indoor living zones, and a level of comfort that sets it apart from everything else.

Price and equipment

The honour of being Riviera's flagship vessel means the Riviera 78 Motor Yacht comes with an equally impressive price tag.

The base price of a Riviera 78 Motor Yacht is around $6.6 million, give or take. But this is a boat that is highly customisable according to owner demands, so the price of each finished boat to come off the production line – and there are plenty already in the queue – will vary greatly.

For instance, Hull No.1, our boat for this review that will have its official Australian debut at the 2022 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show and will eventually tour the US boat show circuit, has an enclosed flybridge and plenty of undercover areas. Hull No.2, being built for a south-east Asian customer, will have a focus on outdoor living with a reconfigured cockpit, making it very different.

All owners, though, will end up with a luxury motor yacht capable of reaching remote anchorages, fitted with four staterooms, a large saloon, flybridge with day head, mezzanine, forward and aft cockpit and a swim deck that lifts up out of the water to become a diving platform or lowers to provide easy water access.

Each Riviera 78 Motor Yacht will come with a hydraulic teak-covered swim platform that also provides walk-in access to the engine room via a pantograph door. The swim deck also faces a large transom toy garage with an air compressor and freshwater shower.

Outdoor seating areas use Sunbrella fabric, with optional sunshades for exposed areas such as the foredeck. 

The standard engines fitted to the Riviera 78 Motor Yacht are a pair of 1550hp MANs sitting on anti-vibration engine mounts and fitted to Twin Disc quick-shift gearboxes driving five-blade propellers. Our test boat is fitted with optional 2000hp MANs.

The engines also come with three joystick controls – one at the flybridge helm, and two aft and to either side of the flybridge deck – to give the skipper more precise control over low-speed manoeuvres such as reversing into a berth. As well as the engines, the joystick controls work with hydraulic bow and stern thrusters to give a high degree of control over the boat’s movement.

On-board electrical needs, such as the various air conditioning systems, are provided via twin 29kW/60hz Onan generators. The Riviera 78 Motor Yacht uses CZone digital switching technology to make everything from balancing the electrical demands of the boat depending on whether it is running, anchored up or safe in the marina to adjusting the hue of the lights.

The Riviera 78 Motor Yacht even comes equipped with 400 watts of solar panel that can trickle-charge the house batteries servicing the flybridge.

When the boat is tied up, a Siren Marine remote monitoring system provides smartphone-based access to alarms such as bilge pumps and motion sensors, as well as providing the ability to remotely switch on components such as lights and air conditioning.

Hull and engineering

The Riviera 78 Motor Yacht is built on top of an all-new hull that’s hand-laid at Riviera’s Coomera boat-building facility on the Gold Coast, Queensland. The hull is more flared at the front to throw spray away and includes the traditional deep vee forward that gives the Riviera range its renowned sea-keeping ability.

Below the waterline the hull is solid fibreglass; above it the Riviera 78 Motor Yacht uses a cored deck and topsides. Where possible the forward compartment is foam-filled to reduce noise, isolate heat and add strength.

The boat is built on the same production line as other Riviera models and will use the same manufacturing process that precisely measures the quantity of materials used in each step of the build to ensure consistency.

Forward, the Riviera 78 Motor Yacht has a collision bulkhead built into the forepeak, while aft the 10,200-litre fuel tanks split between a 3200-litre keel tank and twin 3500-litre wing tanks to either side sit just behind amidships to provide a balanced weight distribution.

An engine room with full standing headroom was an important part of the Rivera 78 Motor Yacht’s design brief. As well as a forward access door, there is a large hatch in the mezzanine level that lifts up to provide engine room access and a pantograph door in the transom. 

This is the first Riviera model to come with stabiliser fins as standard – they are optional on the likes of the Riviera 72 Sports Motor Yacht. The 78 uses twin carbonfibre Humphree Interceptor fins that automatically adjust to adjust trim and counter list while underway.

One of the features of the Riviera 78 Motor Yacht’s design is a distinctive single-look hull window that runs along about half the hull’s length.

The large flybridge extends well aft past the saloon to provide a solid roof above the mezzanine. This allows the mezzanine to be fully enclosed with clears, extending the amount of indoor living space when the weather won’t allow outdoor use – this version of the 78 includes air conditioning to the mezzanine to cool it when enclosed.

The foredeck has a space built into the middle of the forward cockpit to store a tender, lifted and deployed using a davit mounted to port.

The Portofino-style aft cockpit is fitted with capstan winches to help with docking.

Design and layout

The Riviera 78 Motor Yacht features a design that maximises living space, split into distinct zones racing from fully outdoors to cosseting indoors and onboard storage options.

At this price point, owners want a bit of a say in the layout of the boat depending on how they will use it. For instance, while Hull No.1 of our test boat features spaces with better weather protection and space for a tender, Hull No.2 will be optimised for outdoor living without the need to have tender access.

The swim deck and lower cockpit are four steps down from a mezzanine that can be fully enclosed to provide extended all-weather space. Facing them is the large transom toy garage, and a fair-weather pantograph access door to the engine room.

Two steps up from the mezzanine and along wide and high-railed side decks – each side features a door that gives easy access to high docks – is the large foredeck space that on Hull No.1 includes a large lounge built around space to store a tender.

The Riviera 78 Motor Yacht’s saloon deck includes an aft galley with full-size appliances, and a large lounge space forward. A companionway leading below decks is forward to starboard.

The saloon features plenty of comfortable seating – one lounge is offset rather than square to mix up the space, while a large dinette, lounge with ottoman and wet bar fill the sides.

Two staircases are built into the port side of the saloon. The lower one, facing forward, descends into the crew/utility room depending on how the owner has commissioned the build. The upper one, facing aft and featuring floating stairs so that it does not interfere with the view outside the deep windows, leads to the flybridge.

Upstairs, the flybridge features a central helm with extra seating so guests can join the skipper up top while making passage.

Aft of that is an entertaining space with a wet bar and another glass bulkhead with an automatic sliding door. Step outside, and to starboard is a day head – handy for the skipper because they don’t need to go below to use the bathroom while underway.

The upper cockpit extends back to almost overhang the transom below. Beamy and deep, it has a wet bar and more dining/lounge space that can be separated from other parts of the boat.

Downstairs, the companionway leads into an atrium branching off to the staterooms. Forward is the VIP stateroom built with a queen-size bed, ensuite and plenty of storage, to one side are two single beds that can join to form a double, to the other L-shaped bunks, and aft is the full-beam master stateroom with a king-size bed, separate toilet and shower spaces.

The engine room is a delight to step inside. Everything has its space and all service and inspection points are accessible via a wide central walkway. 

Notice anything different about the Riviera 78 Motor Yacht’s logo? Yes, it has added a couple of wings to denote that this is a vessel that will encourage its owners to spread their wings and soar far and wide in search of adventure.

Saloon and bridge deck

Saloon access is via a central sliding glass door built into the bulkhead. Push the button, and the door silently slips into the bulkhead, closing behind you as you walk through.

Immediately in front is the galley, with a full-size twin fridge and freezer built into the corner of the port bulkhead. To starboard is the solid-surface galley space filled with a brand-name dishwasher, convection cooktop and two stacked convection microwave ovens.

The window behind the galley drops electronically to connect the mezzanine, creating an alfresco dining space. The space also includes a CZone touchscreen, giving control over lighting and audio in the space.

Move forward, and the saloon space opens up before you. This is a premium space filled with a soft-touch roof with direct and indirect lighting, 

Deep windows to either side give an almost 360-degree view, while electric-adjust blinds close the space off.

A large L-shaped lounge is to port, sitting atop a large rug that is large enough to also accommodate a large ottoman. On the port side is another couch, next to an electrically locking pantograph door providing quick and easy access to the side deck.

A single Kensington-style armchair finishes off the decor.

Tucked into the portside forward corner is a wet bar with a wine fridge.

The entire area is clad in easy-maintenance vinyl flooring and finished in high-gloss timber.

A surprise is a wireless smartphone charger built into the portside benchtop next to the staircase to the flybridge.

Upstairs, the enclosed flybridge is split between the tasks of driving and entertaining.

The helm takes up the entire forward section of the flybridge, framed in a low, wide dashboard facing three leather captain’s chairs with a central helm station.

Above is a large sunroof and a pair of side-by-side displays showing the real-time status of the MAN turbocharged diesel engines thrumming softly below.

The dash, behind a three-panel windscreen, is made up of four 24-inch Garmin screens arrayed side-by-side, set up here to show everything needed for a high-speed run.

All three seats are large and comfortable, positioning you high behind the helm with a commanding view of the water around the boat.

The skipper’s chair has electric adjustment to make it easy to find a comfortable position, while overhead is a large sunroof. An extension of the dash to starboard houses the autopilot connected to the Riviera’s electro-hydraulic steering, the throttle controls and the joystick.

Deciding which controls will steer the boat – either the steering wheel and throttle or the joystick – is as simple as pushing a button.

The dash layout is simple and elegant, with plenty of small-item storage. To either side of the steering wheel are gauges showing the rudder angle, the angles of the Humphree stabiliser fins, and real-time information about the status of the Twin Disc gearboxes.

Behind the helm, the space makes way for entertaining. To starboard is a large L-shaped couch with a matching ottoman, backing onto the glass bulkhead that fully encloses the forward section of the bridge deck.

The bulkhead comprises two large sliding glass panels that slide back to create a large open space onto the open aft section of the flybridge. Part of this area is shaded by the hardtop, with further protection provided via a fixed awning.

A highlight here is an enclosed head serving the bridge deck; the skipper doesn’t have to duck below to use the facilities.

Outdoor living space

Let’s start with the aft bridge deck. Offset to port from the head is a wet bar with room for a pair of bar stools, while to starboard is a large U-shaped lounge with a fold-out table that, with a fill-in cushion, can drop down to create a sunbed. 

There’s enough open teak-lined deck space here to stretch out a couple of recliners to soak up the sun.

Downstairs, the mezzanine directly outside the saloon gives an amphitheatre-like view over the large teak-trimmed lower cockpit and swim deck.

The three-section swim deck is clever; drop it right down and it provides effortless ingress and egress to the water, lift it all the way up and it’s a great jumping platform for the kids.

You can also frame the swim deck with a series of lift-out gates for a sport fishing session.

Up front, Hull No.1 of the Riviera 78 Motor Yacht features a huge U-shaped, teak floored lounge snug up against the saloon and slightly offset to starboard to make room for a davit used to lift a dinghy. 

The aft section of the lounge includes a table that folds back to give extra clearance for the dinghy, as well as easy ingress/egress access to the side deck.

Accommodation

The Riviera 78 Motor Yacht is set up to accommodate three couples in the king-size master, queen-size VIP and slide-together double stateroom, as well as another two people in a stateroom with bunks at right angles to each other.

The natural light-filled master suite, two steps down from the atrium, occupies the entire internal beam of the boat. At its centre is a large bed framed in a timber feature wall that demonstrates the skills of the craftspeople who have put a combined 72,000 hours into building the Riviera 78 Motor Yacht.

Against one hull is a large desk with a built-in make-up station, and against the other is a settee. The forward ensuite has the head opposite the shower, with his and hers washbasins in between. There is also a standing room-height walk-in closet space.

The forward VIP stateroom features a step up to queen-size bed in the bow and aligned with the keel. There’s plenty of cupboard space, including below the bed, and a private ensuite that, like the master, includes heated towel rails.

Long windows let in natural light, as do a pair of skylights above. A high-set mirror up against the forepeak gives a sense that the space is larger than it is.

In between the master and VIP suites are the guest suites. To port is a pair of single beds with access to a forward bathroom that is shared with a suite that contains a set of single bunks at right angles to each other.

Both have ample standing headroom and storage space.

A unique feature of this boat is hidden catches on all the cabinet doors. 

The set of stairs that descend from the saloon leads down to a space that could be either a utility room for those owners who like to operate the boat themselves or as a crew room for a liveaboard skipper.

It has its own side-by-side washing machine and drier, and even a clever fold-out ironing board that tucks away neatly when not in use. A single bunk is up against the bulkhead, and a full standing height wet head is in the opposite corner.

This space also has forward access to the engine room and the pantograph door that provides aft access to the engine room.

On the water

Sit down at the helm and you’re faced with some pretty incredible numbers; a combined 4000hp via the twin throttle levers and more than 60 tonnes of high-end fibreglass, timber and stainless steel beneath you.

While that may sound intimidating, it’s not. The reason for this is the joystick control that combines with both engines and the bow and stern thrusters to take the pain out of maneuvering the Riviera 78 Motor Yacht.

Sitting in the middle of the Gold Coast Broadwater, it’s easy to just twist and tweak the joystick to move the big motor yacht like it was a dinghy.

Twist the knob and the boat spins in its own length. Pull sideways, and the Riviera 78 Motor Yacht crabwalks slowly in that direction. Twist and pull at the same time and the big yacht peels away like a jet fighter in slow motion.

This sort of stuff breaks one of the last barriers to large boat ownership, especially for those owners who like to drive themselves.

Transferring control from the joystick to the steering wheel and throttle levers is a simple matter of pushing a button located at the base of the throttle binnacle.

With your head sitting around 4.0 metres above the waterline at the helm, the view forward and to the sides is commanding.

The big 24-litre 90-degree V12s powering our test boat are imperceptible at idle. Move the throttle levers forward, and there’s still no engine noise or vibration as the revs build.

In the meantime, the Humphree stabiliser fins are working away below the waterline to make the transition up onto the plane as smooth as possible, the gauge tucked in next to the steering wheel showing the status of their constant adjustment.

The Humphrees make the transition up onto the plane almost imperceptible, with no squat from the rear of the big Riviera as it crosses the hump.

Power up even more, and before you realise it the boat is sitting on more than 30 knots in almost total silence.

Spin the wheel, and the fins perform their next party trick. Instead of tipping into the turn, the Riviera 78 Motor Yacht sits flat as the stabilisers counter the lean to leave the boat sitting flat on the water.

On test, the Riviera 78 Motor Yacht will sit comfortably at 19 knots turning over at 1900rpm, using around 300 litres an hour. That’s good for a range of almost 570 nautical miles, or from Sydney to Fraser Island in less than 30 hours.

Performance

*Both engines Maximum range based on 90% reserve for 10,200L fuel tank: 569nm @ 1600rpm

The Riviera 78 Motor Yacht easily cements itself as the flagship of the Australian maker’s growing portfolio of cruisers.

It follows the Riviera ethos that it must be comfortable to live aboard, but still capable of long-range bluewater cruising, encouraging owners to go out and explore the world around them.

Its clever zoning creates multiple spaces for those aboard to either come together or find alone time, something that’s rare on a boat with single-level living.

Hull No.2 will have quite a different layout to our test boat – when it is revealed it should demonstrate the versatility of the 78’s design as it adapts to different markets and needs.

The real test of the Riviera 78 Motor Yacht will be the number of new owners it can attract. With the order book rumoured to be stretching into double digits and delivery dates for new customers blowing out to late 2025, it appears to have already passed with flying colours.

Specifications Model: Riviera 78 Motor Yacht Length overall:  24.58m Hull length:  22.11m Beam:  6.00m Draft:  1.90 m Engines:  2x1550hp MAN V12 shaft drives; 2x1800hp MAN V12 shaft drives; 2x2000hp MAN V12 shaft drives Gensets: 2x Onan 29kW/60Hz Fuel:  10,200L Water:  800L Holding tank:  500L/151L crew head Accommodations:  8 (separate crew quarters)

Priced from: $6,600,000 including

Price as tested: TBA including

What we like

• Exceptional build quality, fit and finish
• Smooth and quiet performance from optional 2000hp MAN diesels
• True bluewater cruiser for those owners who want to expand their horizons

Not so much

• Most of us can only dream of owning a motor yacht of this stature

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Riviera 78 Motor Yacht

The award-winning Riviera design group in collaboration with superyacht designer, Luca Vallebona, have created the 78 Motor Yacht, an entirely new Riviera.  With more space and more luxury as well as the key attributes of Riviera: quality, strength and blue-water performance.  Hence, the Riviera 78 is an ocean capable luxury motor yacht, equally comfortable entertaining of Sydney Harbour, cruising the Mediterranean, or relaxing with family on holiday in the Bahamas.  

Photo Gallery

Video overview.

Model Layout

Specifications

LOA 81′ 5″

Hull Length* 72′ 6″

Beam 19′ 8″

Maximum Draft 6′ 3″

Fuel Capacity* 2,695 US gal

Dry Weight* 140,434 lb

Water Capacity* 211 US gal

Holding Tank Capacity* 132 US gal

Sleeping Capacity 8 persons + crew

Bridge Clearance 26′ 7″

Engine Option MAN V12 Shaft Drive 1550 (2x) 1,550 hp ea

Engine Option MAN V12 Shaft Drive 1800 (2x) 1,800 hp ea

Engine Option MAN V12 Shaft Drive 2000 (2x) 2000 hp ea

*Specifications may vary on a regional basis

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Riviera 78 motor yacht enclosed.

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2025 Riviera 78 Motor Yacht Enclosed

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A proud new era of space, luxury and performance

The award-winning Riviera design group in collaboration with superyacht designer, Luca Vallebona, have created the 78 Motor Yacht, an entirely new Riviera.   With more space and more luxury as well as the key attributes of Riviera: quality, strength and blue-water performance.   Hence, the Riviera 78 is an ocean capable luxury motor yacht, equally comfortable entertaining of Sydney Harbour, cruising the Mediterranean, or relaxing with family on holiday in the Bahamas.

Specifications

Virtual tour.

Shown with foredeck option

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Length Overall (inc. swim platform and bow sprit)

Hull Length (Lh to ISO8666) *

Beam (inc. gunwale)

Maximum Draft (inc. props)

Dry Weight**

Fuel Capacity ***

2,695 US gal

Water Capacity ***

Holding Tank Capacity ***

Sleeping Capacity

8 persons + crew

Cockpit Area

Bridge Clearance

Engine Option MAN V12 Shaft Drive 1550 (2x)

Engine Option MAN V12 Shaft Drive 1800 (2x)

Engine Option MAN V12 Shaft Drive 2000 (2x)

* Length of the hull (Lh) to ISO8666: Includes all structural and integral parts (ie. the moulded length of the hull). It excludes parts that can be removed in a non-destructive manner without affecting the structural integrity of the craft, (eg. pulpits, outdrives, driving platforms, rubbing strakes). ** Dry weight represents the estimated minimum weight of a yacht with standard engines and options, no fuel or water on board, no equipment or provisions and no personnel. The stated dry weight may be exceeded. *** Denotes net tank capacity. For useable capacity do not rely on more than 90% of tank capacity. Actual capacity will vary according to yacht trim and sea state. Speeds are subject to normal weather conditions, fuel and/or water levels, passengers and equipment loads.

Independent Reviews

Ready for Adventure The loyalty of Riviera owners is well-known, and Phuket-based Jacky and Rudi Dijk are no exception. Awaiting the flagship 78 Motor Yacht, their third Riviera, the couple thrive on cruising South-East Asia. -

Riviera to the Power of Ten A decade into new ownership, Australian brand Riviera continues to go from strength to strength. The just-released 78 Motor Yacht is the latest emphatic statement from the Gold Coast yard.me. - Hillary Buckman

78 MY at SCIBS Striking new aesthetics from a European design house and a range of new smart systems has the Riviera 78 Motoryacht pushing into superyacht territory, as I found out when taking the first hull to sea on the Gold Coast. -

The Flagship for far away places Boosting a winning formula of ocean-ready sports yachts by adding some European flair is Riviera’s strategy with its largest hull -

High Level Living Striking new aesthetics from a collaboration between a European designer and the Riviera design group, plus a range of new smart systems, has the Riviera 78 MY pushing into superyacht territory -

Next Generation “Room for a cruising family? Check. A bluewater hull form and robust build? Check. Luxurious and homelike amenities? Check. Long range for extended cruising itineraries? Check. Inside and outside living? Check. It appears that the Riviera 78 Motor Yacht does indeed check a lot of boxes. It makes me wonder: What will they think of… - Tom Serio, Yachting Magazine

Riviera Flagship 78 Motor Yacht If you want serious offshore performance with luxurious trimmings then the flagship of the Riviera range, the 78 Motor Yacht, warrants consideration. - YachtBuyer

Riviera 78 MY Features Video BoatTest.com.au's Riviera 78 MY Features Video 2023 - Boat Test

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BOAT REVIEW Riviera 78 Motor Yacht

• Three levels of luxury living
• Smooth transmission and easy handling at low speeds
• Humphree fin stabilisers cope well with a variety of sea states
• Premium fit-out

Boosting a winning formula of ocean-ready motoryachts by adding some European flair is Riviera’s strategy with the Australian company’s largest hull to date, reports Kevin Green.

Striking new aesthetics from a collaboration between a European designer and the Riviera design group, plus a range of new smart systems, has the Riviera 78 MY pushing into superyacht territory, as I found out when taking the first hull to sea on Australia’s Gold Coast.

The 78 MY tops the company’s fleet of large flybridge yachts, following the release of the 72 model in 2018 and a raft of coupé models. Riviera has launched over 5,800 hulls during its 42 years of building. Riviera focusses on the 39–78-foot (11.9–23.8m) market for premium level motor yachts. However, by extending the hull of the successful 72, it has arguably also extended this focus. In addition, Riviera customers provided valuable input to the 78 MY, explained Brand and Communications Director Stephen Milne. The attractions of a flybridge are several. Top among them for Pacific-based boats is commanding views of coral-strewn coastlines. The downside can be the motion offshore from this high vantage point, but you get three levels of living space at rest, where vessels generally spend most of their time. Riviera has extended the flybridge concept on this bluewater hull by creating a complete living space up top, which includes a vast aft deck. This creates the most striking change to the side profile because it extends the covered area of the main deck right to the transom.

Aboard the 78 MY On boarding the 78 MY, the words of Riviera owner Rodney Longhurst echoed in my head: “timeless and contemporary design.” “Superyacht styling” was the next phrase that came to mind as I strode over the vast hydraulic teak swim platform and gazed into a tender garage big enough for a jetski – the tender can reside on the foredeck for offshore passages. Alongside the garage was one of two entrances to the engine room – again, big boat styling. Two transom doors access the covered aft deck, where a sumptuous full-beam sofa in tough Mokum fabric sets the tone. Another L-shaped settee around the teak dining table creates a comfortable yet uncrowded area adjoining the saloon bulkhead. So, plenty of room for partying and enjoying cocktails from the wet bar.

Three helm stations All navigation takes place from the flybridge, accessible by inside stairs closed off by a teak hatch. This large space has a separate lounge and al fresco dining area with the main helm station in the forward section and two remote helm stations outside. Three premium-quality leather seats address the console and tall windows provide grand views from the centred helm. Generous headroom and a sense of airiness is enhanced by opening the electric sunroof. The sturdy ceiling handrail is sensible given a tall boat like this will likely roll at sea. In my experience, these are the kinds of details that differentiate Riviera from brands that emphasise style over practicality. While underway, I appreciated the handrails when moving around.

Liveability The relaxing saloon has atrium-style stairs forward bathed in natural light, which extends to the accommodation. The décor of gleaming teak contrasts with the black panelling, cushioned lounges in neutral tones on three sides, and wool carpeting. The colour palette sets a calming tone for this spacious area.

Four large cabins Descending the teak stairwell to the vessel’s four cabins reveals a full-beam owner’s suite aft with VIP suite forward and two guest cabins either side. Set low in the hull, the owner enjoys a king-sized bed with a sprung mattress against the aft bulkhead (insulated from engine room noise by the adjoining crew quarters). A large walk-in wardrobe butts against the long vanity/desk to starboard while to port is a three-seater lounge with generous walk-around space at the foot of the bed. The forward bulkhead houses a TV and home theatre system with surround-sound speakers.

Proven hull The 78 MY shares the same beam as the 72 and the same proven characteristics, so it’s equally suitable for fast offshore runs or longer sea passages in displacement mode. The warped vee design uses a sharp entry for directional stability and flatter aft sections to ‘get out of the hole’ and planing. It retains some deadrise aft to add heeling stability. The 72 hull has been extended to create the 78. It was tank-tested at the Wolfson Institute Unit for Marine Technology and Industrial Dynamics at the University of Southampton in England and built to CE standards – over 55% of the company’s sales go overseas. Construction is hand-laid fibreglass with foam core topsides and solid fibreglass for the keel, longitudinals and other key structural areas.

Gold Coast sail Australia’s La Niña summer was the first test for the new 78 MY. The vessel’s large wiper blades were put to good use as skipper Dean guided us off the dock at Marina Mirage with judicious use of the Twin Disc joystick. This shallow and busy waterway is home to hordes of jet-skis, so I found the high vantage point of the flybridge ideal when I snuck into the skipper’s chair to take control. My first job was to find some swell, so we slowed at the Seaway to deploy the Humphree stabilisers. They quickly reduced the hull’s rolling, self-adjusting automatically – clever stuff. Then I watched the screen as they weather-cocked when I throttled forward, thus reducing drag while still providing stability. This stability was most noticeable when banking into a long turn – they flattened the hull to the extent that even a full glass of G&T wouldn’t have spilled. Impressive.

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Riviera 78 Motor Yacht

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78 MOTOR YACHT A PROUD NEW ERA OF SPACE, LUXURY AND PERFORMANCE The award-winning Riviera design group in collaboration with superyacht designer, Luca Vallebona, have created the 78 Motor Yacht, an entirely new Riviera. With more space and more luxury as well as the key attributes of Riviera: quality, strength and blue-water performance. Hence, the Riviera 78 is an ocean capable luxury motor yacht, a perfect choice for cruising with family and friends in the Pacific North West.

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INTRODUCING THE RIVIERA 78 MOTOR YACHT WORLD PREMIERE 2022

Following more than 40 years of evolution and with over 5,700 yachts in multiple styles built and now being enjoyed in all corners of the world, the 78 MY design represents a distinguished new era for Riviera.

The Riviera design group, in collaboration with award-winning superyacht designer Luca Vallebona, bring a combined passion for excellence to create a sophisticated yacht that delivers a perfect combination of family cruising, entertaining and blue-water passage-making capabilities.

The flexibility of the new 78 Motor Yacht design will allow owners to personalise their yacht to reflect their individual tastes and further enhance their lifestyle.

With the design flexibilities for owners to reflect their individual lifestyle and personality in the Riviera 78 Motor Yacht, she will be admired in the bays, harbours, marinas and oceans of the world.

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Riviera Rendezvous 2022 Wins International Event Excellence Award

“As International Dealership of the Year, Emerald Pacific Yachts has been awarded for its positive team environment, exclusive owner events, professionalism when engaging with the Riviera team and its continual reinvestment in the Riviera brand.”

“Last June, Emerald Pacific Yachts took over a weekend at the historic Roche Harbor, with over a hundred and fifty passionate Riviera owners, family, and friends..”   Learn More.

We are grateful for every one of you – our loyal clients, our excellent service providers, the Riviera team, and every individual that works with us along the way – your support allows us to provide the best experience we can offer to our clients.

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Riviera 78 Motor Yacht  ticks every box

• Published April 19, 2023

When Charles “Chuck” and Rania Pipkin first saw their new Riviera 78 Motor Yacht , “We were not prepared for the emotional response,” says Rania. “We had great expectations after months of research, yet she was even more than we had hoped for.”

There were even more special moments after the family took their new Riviera, now named SandPipe r, on a voyage to The Bahamas in mid-December. Their 10-year-old daughter is named Piper.

“I had taken out the tender and I turned back to view SandPipe r at anchor,” says Rania. “It was a real ‘a-ha’ moment, simply to see her size and styling and to see Chuck standing on the foredeck. He is not a small man, but the foredeck alone dwarfed him. She has a real presence on the water.”

Chuck and Rania set out on a mission to create their ultimate holiday home, after Chuck merged his business and stepped away from his day-to-day management role, in mid-2022.

The couple love their comfortable home on the water in Annapolis, Maryland, on the east coast of the United States and had never owned a holiday property. So, they had very specific ideas of what a second residence needed to be.

They enjoy socialising, and planned to invite friends to stay with them, so needed four bedrooms and plenty of spaces for entertaining.

They love Florida, yet the idea of a house for every holiday in that one location simply did not appeal. They wanted to change the scenery whenever they wished. They love boating and have owned several boats, the most recent a 38-foot sports cruiser they bought in 2018, spending many happy days exploring the wide Chesapeake Bay right on their doorstep. The idea of being able to anchor and stay overnight in a stunning cove appealed greatly.

So they decided to purchase a motor yacht. It needed to be a true home away from home – an extension of their lifestyle rather than a glamour apartment on the water.

“The one downside of holidays is packing and unpacking,” says Chuck.  “I HATE packing. I wanted to be able to have everything I want stored on board, ready when we arrive. The dream was always to simply throw my laptop in a bag, jump in the car, and head to the airport. No luggage.”

They began a meticulous research project of the market, drawing up a spreadsheet that listed all their requirements and “nice-to-have” features.  They quickly learned that the yacht would need to be more than 70 feet in length to provide the accommodation and entertaining spaces they needed – a considerable step up from their sports cruiser. It would need to be a flybridge model with entertaining space, so guests could join the skipper during a voyage. 

The list of prospective brands and models quickly grew. In the end, their spreadsheet included a “top 10” brands and a long list of requirements. Yet, of all these yachts, not one could fulfil every one of their needs. Each had at least one tick missing and most had a number of gaps. Some European designs positioned the galley away from the entertaining space; some had a ladder or narrow spiral stairs to an open flybridge.

Then they spoke with the team at OneWater Yacht Group in Stevensville , just a 20-minute drive from their home. Had they thought about an Australian motor yacht builder called Riviera and a new 78-foot model that was being developed?

“We began checking the features against our list and we could not find a single gap,” says Rania. “This yacht even offered features we had not thought about. The galley was in the best possible place, right in the middle of two large entertaining spaces.

“The OneWater team showed us 3D graphic images and a walk-through video. We were blown away. I remember we sat at our kitchen table watching a video on Chuck’s laptop and we knew this was what we had been searching for.  No other yacht we had seen came close to this Riviera.”

“You need to know that Chuck analyses everything to the n-th degree.” 

Chuck says: “My wish list included a large garage and swim platform. The Riviera delivered both.  “I had not anticipated an enclosed flybridge.  However, when the team at OneWater pointed out that the ‘bridge on the Riviera offered the best of two worlds – open and enclosed, I took a lot of interest.  In rough or cold weather, it is much better to be sitting in air-conditioned comfort.  When the sun is out and the weather warm, we can open the huge sunroof and large side windows to bring the outside in; it all made perfect sense.  I also loved the wide timber staircase to the ‘bridge and the fact that the massive helm is in that one place and not duplicated, taking space in the saloon.”

Rania smiles. “With all the amenities on that ‘bridge, including a bar and entertainment unit, it is rather like a cigar lounge for the men!”

Chuck continues: “The technology on board seemed really impressive, so I was eager to study it all when we stepped on board for the first time at the Fort Lauderdale boat show. That was the very first time we saw her.”

After studying every image, layout drawing, and video of what the yacht would look like, Chuck and Rania decided to sign a conditional order. It would be the first Riviera 78 to be launched by Riviera; they would not see the completed yacht until it arrived at the Fort Lauderdale show in Florida, in late October.

The only item that Rania noted as missing in the images and videos, was a dining table in the saloon.

“I thought ‘where will Piper have her breakfast?’ When we arrived at Fort Lauderdale, our representative told me he had a little surprise. Riviera had installed a table right where we wanted it!” Rania says.

Chuck adds, “Even after we were given a tour of the yacht at the boat show, we went away and walked through 14 other yachts on display over four days. That time simply confirmed for us that our decision was absolutely right.”

Discussing the interior, Rania says: “I care about aesthetics. I love the design and the decor on board – the timberwork, the stone countertops and the fabrics. She is casual, comfortable – much like our home in Annapolis.”

Chuck says: “On some of the yachts we looked over, I felt I would need to wear a suit and tie to enter the saloon; there seemed such an air of formality. The saloon of the Riviera invites us to relax and kick off our shoes.”

Chuck and Rania spent 10 days hosting friends on board in the waters around Fort Lauderdale during the Thanksgiving holiday, a month after the boat show.

“At one stage we had 21 people on board,” says Rania. “There are so many spaces that it never felt crowded – even when everyone came together on the foredeck.

“We have been pleasantly overwhelmed with our new yachting lifestyle on our Riviera. We have been hosting friends and family on the yacht at every opportunity, in addition to trying to keep up with our normal daily activities. 

“We finally had a weekend alone, just the three of us, on our lovely SandPiper, and really got to take in all her beauty and pleasure! 

“We truly love sharing the joy our SandPiper brings us with all our friends!”

The couple was also impressed by a range of small elements they had not noticed in the documentation, or even during the boat show.

“One of our friends who came on board during Thanksgiving likes to make his own coffee every morning,” says Rania. “He expected to have to boil the water, even though there is a hot water dispenser with a micro-filter in the galley. We were all surprised to find the system can deliver cold, hot and even boiling water.  The dispenser also provides chilled water and even soda water!”

Their next voyage was to The Bahamas for two weeks in mid-December. As well as daughter Piper, the couple invited another family to join them.

“Our trip to The Bahamas was a complete eye-opening experience for us. We took what we learned, and our new excitement for cruising, and decided to explore the Exumas in The Bahamas for two weeks. The Exumas consist of more than 365 islands, also called cays.”

The crossing from Florida to the islands included some relatively heavy weather.

“We encountered six-foot waves during the voyage,” says Chuck.  “The yacht felt perfectly comfortable with the fin stabilisers.

“We have a full-time skipper who took the helm through most of that voyage with me, sitting right beside him observing the systems. I took the helm at times, and she felt so easy to handle, given that she is nearly 80 feet long and displaces some 62 tons! The four large multi-function displays across the dashboard provided an extraordinary amount of information.  I have a pilot’s licence and fly regularly, so instrumentation is important to me. I noted she has a wind vane which I had not seen before. It reads both true and apparent wind direction and speed. Impressive.

“I was also impressed by her fuel economy. SandPiper is powered by a pair of 2,000 horsepower MAN diesel engines and the yacht can carry about 2,700 gallons of fuel. We used less than half that on our entire voyage, travelling at an average of 20 knots. We have some great plans, so it is comforting to know that we can voyage a long way before we need to refuel.”

Chuck and Rania plan to return to Fort Lauderdale to cruise the area during the spring break in March, then bring SandPiper home to Maryland in May, particularly to celebrate the legendary Blue Angels aerobatics performance over the city, as part of the annual Naval Academy Graduation ceremonies.

Rania explains: “The Naval Academy is a huge presence in many aspects of life in Annapolis. Commissioning week in May is filled with activities and celebrations when the Blue Angels performance is revered as a holiday!  Our connection to the Blue Angels is living near the Naval Academy and Chuck’s appreciation of the incredible talent those pilots possess – because Chuck is a pilot!”

They will head north to the waters off New England during the summer months. 

Perhaps the greatest benefit for the couple is summed up by Rania.

“Chuck is learning to relax!”

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