Riviera’s exclusive SUV Collection will soon boast a luxurious new model, with the advanced, mid-sized 505 to make her international debut at the 2020 Miami Yacht Show (13-17 February).
Given free rein to unleash their creativity, our accomplished design team – working in partnership with Riviera owner Rodney Longhurst and CEO Wes Moxey – have delivered a hull that is brand new from the keel up, resulting in a multi-functional, genre-bridging cruising yacht that embodies the ultimate in refined luxury.
The designers cleverly integrated a number of the distinctive “big-boat” attributes that set Riviera motor yachts apart on the world stage, while staying faithful to the SUV pedigree that perfectly blends a seaworthy, water sports-friendly flybridge ethos with the entertainment amenities inherent to a sport yacht.
An outstanding feature is the 505’s raised mezzanine seating area that draws innovation and design from the recently announced 64 Sports Motor Yacht, which is also set for a 2020 premiere.
Steering the SUV concept into inspiring new waters, the covered entertainment area gains extra privacy and protection from the elements, along with the comfort and convenience of built-in furniture, to enable sociable and enjoyable, year-round boating.
“Boating enthusiasts are really going to love the new 505 SUV,” Rodney said. “She perfectly complements our growing SUV range and, coupled with IPS performance, economy and ease of use, offers so much for families looking to put fun and freedom back into their weekends.”
Having refined the design after reviewing a full-scale mock-up of the 505, Riviera’s expert product development team is now working at a rapid rate to create the moulds that will allow the luxury motor yacht to enter production.
Riviera product development manager David Higgins said his 40-person team had already created the plugs and moulds for the deck and were almost ready to complete the hull mould, which has been faired and painted to a mirror-finish.
“All our smaller moulds are also almost complete and then we will be focusing on creating the plugs and moulds for the headliner and heads,” he said.
“It’s an exhaustive process and one that involves thousands of man hours with a superior quality that result speaks for itself. It took the team fairing the hull by hand about six weeks to create a perfect mirror finish but that’s the commitment you need to deliver the Riviera standard.
“When you purchase a Riviera, you know they are built to last and will retain their value because we are so consistent with our design and quality.”
Grace and space
Drawing on almost four decades of blue water heritage and the launching of almost 5,600 motor yachts, the Riviera 505’s hull is classically appealing with a gently sweeping sheerline and prominent topside windows, balanced harmoniously by a raked coach-house with generous glass surrounds.
For a cleaner, more contemporary look, the bowsprit is seamlessly incorporated into the hull design that boasts generous flare forward. The bowsprit will house a 35kg stainless-steel Ultra Anchor and 50 metres of 10mm chain, as standard.
Further innovation is found in the new foredeck entertainment zone, with a walkway running laterally to avoid having to step over the double sunpad cushions when moving from port to starboard, cleaning the windscreen or attaching window covers.
Generously wide sidedecks with raised bulwarks safely connect the foredeck with the cockpit, while dual transom doors provide equally unfettered access to the large hydraulic boarding platform, enhancing the outdoor living space. Reminiscent of Sport Yacht styling, the platform sides extend forward along the aft quarters to protect the topsides.
Total cockpit area equates to almost 10 square metres, which is ample for fishing, all manner of water sports and entertaining. It accommodates a large barbecue/wet bar centre to port and 130-litre fridge/freezer compartment to starboard, flanking the steps leading to the magnificent mezzanine.
Here, there are two supremely comfortable lounges either side – the starboard seat will also fold out to become a day bed. While the hardtop extends fully over the mezzanine, twin sliding sun hatches will allow filtered light and air to flow from above. It is a cool and calm place to read, relax and enjoy a morning coffee or afternoon refreshment.
Linking the mezzanine with the saloon is a tinted, tempered glass door and awning window, both set in a highly polished stainless-steel frame. A U-shaped galley resides immediately to port, where it can efficiently serve meals to the mezzanine and forward dinette. The designers have specified solid-surface benchtops with electric cooktop, microwave convection oven, dual drawer fridge/freezer, stainless steel sink, plus storage cabinets and drawers above and below the bench.
Space has been devoted immediately adjacent to the galley to an L-shaped lounge that extends forward to the starboard-side helm station featuring twin pedestal seats. A large sliding sunroof is incorporated above the helm and L-shaped lounge to port that will be popular with guests when underway.
As masters of space utilisation, the Riviera designers have also excelled themselves in the accommodation deck with a full-beam master suite as the centrepiece of a spacious three-stateroom/two-bathroom layout.
Bathed in natural light from large hull windows, the cabin offers a queen-sized island berth, chaise lounge to starboard, drawer bureau to port, en-suite access and personal touches such as a full-length mirror. Guests are offered a twin bunk cabin to starboard, and a plush VIP stateroom forward with en-suite access to the luxury day head.
Riviera has launched more than 120 SUV motor yachts which are renowned for their class-leading power-to-weight ratios, exceptional fuel efficiency and exhilarating blue water performance and handling, and the 505 will certainly share these qualities. Standard power is twin six-cylinder Volvo Penta D8-IPS 800 turbo diesels developing 600hp (441kw) apiece, mated to joystick controls (helm and cockpit) and twin 16-inch Volvo Penta Glass Bridge screens.
At the purchaser’s discretion, the powerplants may be upgraded to twin 725hp (533kW) D11-IPS 950s.
“The 505 SUV benefits from our latest research and development processes,” Rodney said. “Whether it’s fishing, diving, paddle-boarding, or simply entertaining with family and friends in the comfort of the mezzanine, she offers the best of all worlds and will be in a class of her own when unveiled at Miami early next year.”
KEY FEATURES
– 505 SUV is an all-new model from the keel up
– Raised and enclosed mezzanine seating and dining area
– Three-stateroom / two-bathroom design
– Full-width master stateroom
– Seamlessly integrated bowsprit
– Increased hull flare in the bow with higher sheerline for navigating in larger seas
– Wide sidedecks with raised bulwarks
– Large hull windows with portholes
– Sports cockpit with options to rig this functional space to suit owners individual pursuits
– Exceptional power-to-weight ratio and manoeuvrability from Volvo Penta IPS
– 5 year structural limited warranty and 5 year Volvo Penta systems limited warranty
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