MONTEREY KEYS, QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA – “Everything about her works beautifully,” says Paul Viles of his Riviera M370 Sports Cruiser, Tital.
“In fact, when we began looking for a cruiser, the plan was for something smaller. When we saw the M370, it answered every question. I love the beam, the stability, the looks and the layout.”
Paul and wife Adele berth Tital at Monterey Keys on Queensland’s northern Gold Coast.
“It is a great location, with direct access to the Coomera River and then the Gold Coast Broadwater,” says Paul.
Paul and Adele live in Sydney but the Gold Coast lifestyle has lured them to a holiday home there. Tital is berthed on a pontoon outside the home.
Paul grew up with boats in Sydney.
“Dad had a number of smaller craft, half-cabin cruisers,” says Paul. “We explored Sydney Harbour and the waterways around Gosford on the central coast, north of Sydney. But after I grew up, work and a family took me away from boating for 30 years.
“Then, with the family grown up, we decided it was time to return to that early love of boating.
“We found Tital in Brisbane through the team at R Marine Jones. It turned out that this was the last M370 built for the Australian market. She is number 133. I believe number 134 went to the United States.
Riviera did build 134 M370 Sports Cruisers over just four years from 2002 to 2005.
“Tital is equipped with the largest engines provided for the M370 and they make her a very quick sports cruiser on the rare occasions we have a need for speed,” says Paul.
“I am so impressed with the way she handles all conditions. The bow thruster is handy, particularly as we need to navigate the lock at Monterey Keys that gives us direct access to the river.”
Paul and Adele joined the R Marine Jones Winter Weekend Experience to Moreton Bay this year, their first cruise in company.
“That experience improved our knowledge of Tital greatly,” says Paul. “One thing I learned is that Adele sleeps well on board – even in strong winds at anchor.
“Adele has taken to motor yachting keenly. She is learning a lot about handling Tital and is great when we are anchoring or drawing the anchor. Our M370 does not have a chain counter so we have marks on the chain to indicate how many metres are deployed. Adele is also good at hand signals from the bow as we draw up the anchor.”
Paul and Adele spend time on board at least once a month.
“We recently cruised across to South Stradbroke Island for a couple of days at Couran Cove and we are already planning New Year’s Eve,” says Paul.
“Sometimes, we enjoy simply getting out of the Monterey Keys lake and finding somewhere close to anchor, turn on the barbecue and enjoy lunch on the water.”
Paul also appreciates the strength of the Riviera name.
“There is real value in owning a Riviera,” he says. “The service and support we receive is fantastic.
“I am often asked if I want to sell her, but we are enjoying the Riviera lifestyle too much right now. And when I do come to sell, I know the resale value will be strong.”
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