Riviera 47G2 Convertible — By Capt. Patrick Sciacca — April 2006

Horizon Chaser

This 47-foot convertible from Australia makes you want to run with the sun.

Courtesy of Riviera  More of this Feature • Riviera 47G2 • Riviera 47G2 Part 2 • Riviera 47G2 Specs • Riviera 47G2 Deck Plan • Riviera 47G2 Acceleration Curve • Riviera 47G2 Photo Gallery
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The saloon is equally clean and appealing, taking full advantage of the boat's 16'1" beam and featuring grain-matched, satin-finish cherrywood (teak is an option) accented with high-gloss trim. The fully equipped galley-down, which also features enough stowage under the sole that I can fit my 5'7" frame in it comfortably, sports the same cherrywood and standard Corian countertops. It all complements the blue leather L-shape lounge and dinette seating; it's a truly nautical feel that's carried below to the three staterooms.

Space is abundant in the 131-square-foot cockpit that can be rigged for entertaining or fishing. (Kaufman even had an outlet installed behind a stowage area on the saloon bulkhead so he could plug in his barbecue.) But with the in-transom livewell, two in-deck fishboxes, and an in-cockpit bait freezer all standard, she's almost ready for tournament time. I'd add some double-spreader outriggers, at least six in-gunwale rod holders, electric teaser reels and rocket launchers on the flying bridge, and a cockpit fighting chair or bolster. I might even lose the swim platform. Kaufman is a diver, so he had scuba-tank mounts placed in the roomy lazarette along with mounted boxes to hold spare props and prop parts.

One place where space is tight is in the engine room, which reminded me of the 40. Like the 40, the 47's ER offers limited 4'5" headroom, and outboard access to the starboard engine is tough with the Glendinning Cablemaster forward of the engine and a battery bank aft. Inboard access to both powerplants is adequate, with 16 inches between them. This engine room, however, does have a diamond-like luster.

The Riviera 47G2 possesses a lot of the positive attributes I admired in the 40, but also displays the builder's progressive nature. Riviera took a 47-foot convertible (Generation 1) that was a success on the water and in the marketplace, and felt it could make the boat better. I never had the chance to test the first-generation version, but I can say the 47G2 is a dual-purpose boat that should appeal to both the family cruiser and offshore angler. She's sure-footed underway and has round-trip-canyon and Bahamas range with room to spare. She's also a looker with a sleek, low profile similar to the builder's 40-footer. If these are attributes you're looking for in your next boat, the 47's worth taking for a ride. And chances are, if you do, you won't want to stop until you've tried running after a few horizons yourself.

Riviera Yachts (561) 472-8800. www.riviera.com.au.

Gear on Board >> Twin Disc Quickshift

I experienced Twin Disc's QuickShift transmission during its debut in 2003, and was impressed with its safety-oriented features. A day on the Quickshift-equipped Riviera 47G2 reminded me of the coolness of this system. For example, you can reduce the rpm of the 47's twin 825-hp MTU diesel inboards down as far as 100 to help with close-quarter maneuvering. No more lurching in or out of a slip. QuickShift is a smart system in that the transmission determines the power requirements in real time and distributes torque through the vessel's driveline in the optimum manner. The same holds true when running at cruise or WOT. For example, if you're running at 30 mph, you can literally throw the controls in reverse and the boat will simply slow down safely and the shift into reverse and accelerate. I've seen it and I've done it. It works. And it's worth considering as an option on your 47G2. 

SPOTLIGHT ON | The Mast

Jim Kaufman, the owner of our test boat, liked the idea of a mast. So he had the one you see here custom made for his Riviera 47G2. He said he likes how it works with the lines of his boat as well as how it's a place he can mount his boat's radar array, the satellite receiver, and GPS antennas, keeping his 47's hardtop neat and clutter-free.



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