Riviera Launches Luxurious 78 Flagship

Riviera Yachts recently launched its new flagship, a luxurious four-stateroom, 78-foot motoryacht that’s capable of cruising more than 1,000 nm at 30 knots.

Riviera joined with the Italian designer Luca Valabonna, who often works with superyachts, for the new 78. The resulting flagship is a completely new build for the Australian builder, and all three decks are filled with big-yacht touches as a result. Riviera’s fleet now includes 24 models from 39 to 78 feet.

You can climb on board the 78 from a teak swim platform; at the touch of a button, it lowers into the water and opens to include three steps so you can enjoy diving or water sports at different levels. You also can board from gates on either side of the aft deck.

One nice touch: Press another button and a transparent screen drops down from the upper deck to close off the aft deck at the transom, providing great weather protection. The aft deck has the usual large settee across the transom, but then there’s another seating area forward a bit on the starboard side and a wet bar on the port side with two electric grills, a fridge and an ice-maker. A TV is positioned overhead.

A glass door opens to the salon, with a super-sized U-shaped galley aft. It has an electric window that opens to serve guests on the aft deck. A L-shaped sofa is on the starboard side, and a sofa and table are to port, facing a drop-down 55-inch TV. A bar with lots of bottle storage is forward to port, and a door opens to the side deck to starboard.

Interior stairs, a nice touch for safety, lead up to the enclosed flybridge. Two chairs face the helm; several seating areas and a bar. For light and ventilation, the sun roof opens wide, the side windows slide down, and a door opens aft to more outdoor seating, and a day head.