The original brochure for the Classic Riviera 38 Convertible Mk II described this model as “evolution at work”.
The distinctive sheer of the Riviera 38 Mk II swept in a graceful arc from the bow to the after end of the coach house.
Launched in 1986, she was a two cabin, single bathroom flybridge model.
One of the 93 built between 1986 and 1992, Apogee is now proudly owned by Richard Nicholas and his family in Tasmania.
Richard recently submitted an evocative photo of Apogee to our Riviera and Belize Family Photo and Video Competition. The shot was taken from a friend’s drone, showing Apogee anchored at Sandy Bay in Tasmania’s Freycinet Peninsula.
“The name means ‘the highest point in the development; a climax or culmination’,” Richard told us. “We think that sums up Riviera when it comes to boating.”
Richard says his Riviera is “the perfect boat for our family and she’s an excellent sea boat which is important for our Tassie conditions.
“My wife and young children always feel safe and comfortable no matter what the weather is doing.
“We spent have spent so many wonderful days aboard Apogee, and the best yet was five days around the east coast of Tasmania recently. We cruised around the Freycinet Peninsula including Schouten Island and Wine Glass Bay. We spent the days fishing and diving with the kids. We ate crayfish and abalone every day. It was a great family trip.
“We are looking forward to many more days and weeks on board.”
The Nicholas family enjoy the open cockpit and, inside, the saloon with its panoramic views provided by windows and a glass door aft, windows along both sides, including opening sections, and a three-pane windscreen forward.
Meals are enjoyed either in the cockpit or around the port side wrap-around U-shape dinette lounge with its teak-topped table. A cocktail bar and lockers are under a servery between the dinette and galley.
The forward galley, one step down, is equipped to ensure nourishing meals for the Nicholas family with its four-burner gas cooktop and gas oven, under-bench AC-DC refrigerator and stainless steel sink. Plate and glass racks and lockers provided ample stowage.
While the flybridge, with its helm and companion seats and sweeping views, is the place to be for the Nicholas family while cruising on a warm summer’s day, Richard appreciates the lower helm with its teak-rimmed wheel opposite the galley when the Tasmanian weather turns.
Apogee’s accommodation deck includes two cabins and a bathroom. The master stateroom amidships on the starboard side includes a double bed and a full-height wardrobe as well as stowage lockers. The V-berth forward cabin is the children’s domain.
Their bathroom on the port side, opposite the master stateroom, includes a moulded vanity, toilet and shower, more than adequate for a week of cruising.
The Riviera 38 Mk II originally offered the options of twin petrol or diesel engines. Richard Nicholas’ Apogee now sports twin Yanmar turbo diesel engines each delivering 315hp.
“They make her about 600 kg lighter than the original, which makes her performance while planing even better,” he says.
