“We love everything about our Riviera 33 Open Flybridge,” said Christine Barrow. “Plus more!”
Christine and Doug Barrow purchased their Riviera two years ago, updating from a Riviera 3000 Offshore.
“We were looking for a motor yacht that has a flybridge and an enclosed saloon,” said Doug. “She needed to be the right size for the two of us to live on board for extended periods and to handle in the marinas of the Pittwater region of Sydney.
“She fits those requirements perfectly.”
Riviera built 117 of the 33 Open Flybridge models between 2004 and 2009, including 47 in 2005 alone.
She offers a single stateroom forward with a queen double bed and, according to Christine, “exceptionally generous storage including a large wardrobe, drawers and more under the bed”. A bathroom with separate shower stall provides two-way access so that it can act as an ensuite and a day head.
“We thought long and hard about the single stateroom,” said Christine. “Would the single cabin be sufficient? In the end, we preferred all the other space you gained with the single stateroom – more living and entertaining space.
The galley is equipped to feed a large family and the entertainer saloon layout offers a U- shaped dinette opposite a lounge along the starboard side.
“The dinette can convert into a very large double bed and we also have the single lounge. We could easily accommodate another couple as overnight guests.”
The flybridge is laid out with aft helm and twin seats. A space forward of the helm is available for casual seating.
Christine and Doug spend at least two weekends every month on board. In the past year alone, they have achieved 100 engine hours.
“She is so comfortable,” said Christine. “We enjoy weekends and holidays away on board. We recently spent two weeks on board in a voyage to Port Stephens and the Myall Lakes.”
Doug continued: “We especially enjoy exploring the waterways of northern Sydney including the Hawkesbury River during the winter months. There are fewer boats on the water and our Riviera is wonderfully comfortable with the warmth of reverse-cycle air conditioning in the saloon.”
He added that the motor yacht is equipped with an additional forward fuel tank, giving her a total capacity of 1,300 litres. “We have plenty of fresh water as well,” he said. “So long-distance cruising is easy.”
Christine added that refrigeration is plentiful.
“We have more fridge space than some forty-foot motor yachts,” she said. “There is the galley fridge, one on the flybridge and we have a eutectic in the cockpit.”
Christine and Doug named their Riviera Nor’East.
“At first we could not agree,” said Christine. “I grew up in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, Doug was raised in the northern suburbs and we now live at Avoca, north of Sydney where the predominant breeze is a nor’easter. So the name seemed obvious!”
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