New Boat: Riviera 64 Sports Motor Yacht
Riviera’s Sports Motor Yacht series merges the best of multiple designs into one hull. As you move through the vessel you find attributes of a motoryacht, pilothouse and convertible working harmoniously to create a unique vessel that won’t fall into a pigeonhole.
The 64 SMY, which follows on the heels of Riviera’s 72 and 68 SMY models, brings together a cockpit with traditional motoryacht design elements such as walk-around side decks, a foredeck that is both practical and entertainment focused, a raised mezzanine, enclosed flybridge and blue-water performance.
Gallery: Riviera 64 Sports Motor Yacht
The boat is made up of large defined spaces. The cockpit, for example, is designed to suit the casual angler, but there is still space for a fighting chair. There are tackle drawers built into the BBQ module with freezer. Twin transom doors open to the swim platform that can be fixed or installed with a high/low option. It’s a few steps to the mezzanine deck, which flows into the aft galley and the salon.
Step inside, and you are met by an ultra-modern galley, with an array of stainless appliances and Corian surfaces. A large awning window opens to the mezzanine and like everywhere else in the 64 SMY it becomes another very social area. Opposite the galley, is a wet bar, complete with a twin-level wine fridge. Two L-shape loungers forward, are bathed in natural light from large side windows and the forward screen. Forward of the galley, the 8-seat dining area has a specially designed adjustable polished timber tabletop.
Owners can choose between a three- or four-stateroom layout. Both offer a full-beam master with en suite and a forward VIP, also with an en suite. Storage is abundant throughout and an array of LED lighting overhead and massive side windows brighten the atmosphere. The guest stateroom to port offers twin berths that slide together with the push of a button. The starboard guest cabin has two Pullman style berths: this space is configured as a small day lounge in the three-stateroom layout.
Riviera 64 Sports Motor Yacht
An internal staircase leads to the flybridge, which feels like a second salon. The impressive space is broken into two distinct areas—the fully enclosed flybridge and the outside deck. Inside is a wet bar with fridge, L-shape lounge with matching ottoman and a forward settee. The command station helm had a trio of 24-inch Raymarine MFDs. A sunroof and sliding side windows let the fresh air flow through the otherwise air-conditioned space. The deck offers another wet bar, lounger and a module to stow the liferaft.
The hull benefits from Riviera’s V-drive system with tunnel hull design and a lower shaft angle to increase stability and enhance efficiency. Our test boat was fitted with upgraded twin MAN V12 1,550 hp diesels (V8 1,300-hp MANs are standard). Best cruise saw 26 knots at 1,950 rpm, which burned 110 gph and provided a range of 365 nm with 10 percent fuel reserve. Most noticeable was how quiet it was on the flybridge with a decibel reading around 71 dB. Even in the salon, the lack of engine noise was noticeable.
Cruising the calm waters of the Hauraki Gulf off Auckland, New Zealand, was effortless. She’s quick to plane and has a shallow bow attitude through the rev range. Coupled with a Seakeeper and Humphree Interceptors, the angle of heel in tight turns is negligible. The Twin Disc EJS propulsion system with the joystick and thrusters is so user-friendly you can manoeuvre the 64 SMY as easily as a trailer boat. With so many attributes in one hull, I’d say the 64 Sports Motor Yacht lives up to its name.
Riviera 64 SMY Specifications:
LOA: 69’8”
Beam: 19’1”
Draft: 5’6”
Displ.: 94,755 lbs (dry)
Fuel: 1,717 gal.
Water: 198 gal.
Power: 2/1,550-hp MAN V12
