REVIEW: Riviera 50 SMY

The 50 SMY is the second new Riviera in only a few months. We check it out to see if it lives up to the brand’s reputation for luxury and performance.

Around half of new Riviera yacht buyers have previously owned a Riv at some point, and a large proportion are trading straight out of one into another. Many of these owners are upgrading to a larger vessel.

This level of loyalty is a remarkable achievement. It shows that owners are happy with their original choice and it’s recognition of the brand's continual development that there is enough of a difference to trade up after a few years.

Riviera, one of Australia's most successful boat brands, is built on the Gold Coast but delivered to a world audience, particularly in the USA. Within days of its launch, the latest 50 was packed on a ship for debut in America, where demand for the marine lifestyle is running at a new high.

Perhaps surprising in our COVID environment, the new boat is the second release within a few months and joins the 64, 68 and 72 in the Sports Motor Yacht range. 

The latest Sports Motor Yacht derives a hull from the 505 SUV single level sports boat, but blends in a sophisticated mix of boating styles into a competent all-rounder. For many, the 50 will be a step up from a smaller vessel, but it is still sensibly sized to be easily managed by a couple, even those new to boating.

For existing owners, there’s a lot to encourage the move to a new 50 SMY. Over the last decade, the interior finish and design have moved forward, and the advances in technology make owning and driving a 2020 boat much more enjoyable.

CLASSIC WITH A TWIST

Riviera models have retained a consistent look over the years that continues to appeal. But, while the SMY range boasts familiar flare and sheerline, they now all sport large dark tinted hull windows that add a modern touch and improved views from the accommodation below.

The flybridge rakes rearward and rides high in a way that seamlessly integrates with the hull. The SMY exudes a purposeful and capable seafaring intent. At the waterline, chines run back from the sharp bow to disappear underneath at a third of the way to the transom but clearing spray well to the sides.   

Riviera envisions the SMY range in a new class of its own, combining the best features of a passage maker, pilothouse, motor cruiser, flybridge and sports fisher into one vessel. The ‘sports cockpit’ lends itself to any amount of water-based fun including fishing, diving, kayaking, swimming and even wakeboarding as seen in the company’s promotional videos. 

There is plenty to support the versatility of the 50 SMY. It has broader and safer side decks than most flybridge game boats, the covered mezzanine is a special feature, the internal flybridge access is safer for ocean crossings and adds a more luxurious feeling. As well as the design features, the 30kt capability beats a traditional passage maker while retaining the slow cruising-boat element for covering long distances.   

Central to the success of these latest models is the mezzanine deck, offering a versatile outdoor lounging space that can be closed off in nasty weather. It’s a genuinely inviting feature, and if there is a better place to tend an array of lures on a 50 footer, I am yet to see one. 

VERSATILITY WITH STYLE

The latest Riviera might be the smallest in its model lineup, but there is nothing entry-level about it — on the contrary, stepping aboard is a treat. The generous swim platform immediately conjures images of lazy days on the water and the outward opening doors to the wide cockpit hint at hauling a big pelagic on board. 

Coamings are wide and high enough to sit on and still keep the crew safe in a seaway. Two stainless steel rod holders each side are standard fittings, and a plumbed tank is centrally located on the transom for easy access to the bait or cold drinks depending on fishing or party mode. Storage options abound and keep things neat with deep holds for fish or water toys and lockers for fenders and lines.

Moulded fibreglass cabinets in the forward section of the cockpit have more storage and benches that could double as fishing tackle stations. But, with an electric BBQ, ice maker, refrigeration and a sink, the primary intent seems to be entertaining.  

A central stairway leads to the mezzanine deck or, on either side, along the raised decks to the bow, which on the review boat is equipped with a lifting davit and a cradle for a tender. You could choose to fit the tender to the swim platform and option the front deck with a sunpad, but more serious passage makers would go with the setup seen here.

OUTDOORS MEET INDOORS

The mezzanine deck — or as Riviera call it the alfresco deck — is one of my favourite features of the boat, bringing fresh air living to the luxury interior. It's the relaxing front veranda of your waterside digs and a place that will share plenty of owner’s downtime. Perfect for lazy summer afternoons but set the clears for less balmy weather and it's a year-round prospect.

Plush lounges and a perfectly finished high gloss teak table with beech inlay to port are complemented by a convertible day bed opposite. A large hopper window and a substantial stainless steel sliding door open to the saloon. The galley is right there at the window, so the cook can feel part of the action.

STEP INSIDE

Immediately inside is the portside walk-in galley where White Onyx Corian contrasts against the gloss walnut cabinetry to bring a light and contemporary impression. The U-shape benches have an ergonomic efficiency that makes the most of the generous preparation space and overhead storage.

Appliances include a Kenyon induction cooktop, convection microwave, and two under-bench drawer refrigerators. Another 110L freezer lives under the stairs opposite the galley so there should be enough refrigeration capacity for long-distance travel. 

The forward section of the saloon has a raised dining setting to port and a U-shaped lounge opposite. Again the table is high gloss and immaculate. It folds out, and I image room for five. So, with five more seats opposite at the lounge, the saloon should become a popular social space for guests, especially with the large windows all around adding to the experience. 

A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP

Accommodation downstairs follows the traditional layout of a well-appointed VIP cabin in the bow sharing an ensuite with a twin bunk cabin and a day head, with an even more elegant full-beam master further back. The interior design below takes a softer approach to the furnishings and finish. Patterned fabrics are complemented with hints of gloss timber, and the result is a more relaxed ambience — just as it should be for these cabins.

Side windows are a feature of the bow cabin where the queen island bed has easy access from raised platforms and minimal impact from the narrowing hull form. Cedar lined hanging cupboards might make guests feel welcome to stay as long as they like, and the shared ensuite has a private entrance. 

My guess is that the master will help win buyers over to the 50 in droves. Those large windows optimise the mesmerising views, and the chaise lounge will be a favourite for anyone who likes a bit of peace and quiet. It’s not all silence and meditation though. A wall-mounted television and surround sound speakers can liven things up on a Saturday night. 

A small storage room/walk in wardrobe tucks into the port side. Aft of the ensuite there’s an option for an over/under washer dryer back in the companionway. 

ENGINE CHOICE

Riviera has developed a close relationship with the Volvo IPS drive system, having embraced the forward-facing propellers in a specially designed 4400 Sports Yacht hull back in 2007. Originally Volvo was wary of IPS on vessels with a keel, but that has changed and the SMY hull, with keel, is suitable for both shaft drive and IPS pods.

Old stagers may prefer shaft drives and the MAN 800hp engines, but the more tech-savvy crew will opt for the very efficient pod system and a pair of Volvo Penta D11 IPS 950’s. During the build, plants in the mould allow the variation for the flat running surfaces of the pods or tunnels for the shaft drive, but apart from that, the hulls have the same keel and chines.

NEAT AND EFFICIENT ENGINE ROOM

A hatch in the teak deck of the mezzanine gives easy entry down six fibreglass steps to the engine room. At 1.6m high, we miss out on walkaround access, but I found it spacious enough to move freely.  Regular maintenance is straightforward, and the various systems are well marked in the surgically clean space. Fuel tanks have quickly visible sight gauges, the panel of electrical controls is professionally finished, and filter changes are simple. Ancillaries like the water maker and gen-set are sensibly located, and hatches in the rear of the cockpit allow servicing of the Pod drives and the battery banks.

C-ZONE CONTROL

Many owners of older boats are switching to the latest Riviera range to take advantage of the latest tech features and these are most notable in the C-Zone digital switching system. There’s a panel at the helm, a second one on the galley wall and the option of an iPad for anywhere connectivity.

Delivering live-action monitoring of every system on board as well as the power to switch them all on or off makes boat ownership that much easier and less worrying. 

Pre-programmable for various modes at the touch of a keypad, you can set the boat for travel, overnight, at anchor, unattended and more and program the systems you want to run. It will tell you if a bilge pump has turned on, if the battery bank is running low, if the waste tank is near full or if the boat has moved from its anchor. Having all this information and control in one place is a time and worry saver. 

UPDATIRS FOR THINKING

An easily negotiated stairway opposite the galley leads back to the flybridge and another enjoyable space for guests to lounge at rest or when travelling. Amenities up here run to a wet bar with fridge, a large U-shaped diner with fold-out table and a daybed opposite the twin helm chairs. As well as the rear deck being sealed with zippered clears, two electric sunroofs and sliding windows can give as much fresh air as you want, but like the rest of the interior, air conditioning is on hand for hotter climates. 

AT THE HELM

Ultraleather helm chairs ride behind a neat portside dash where the high vantage point offers commanding views of your surroundings. Joystick control of the Volvos makes getting out of the dock worry-free, but if you like, for close work there’s a second joystick control at the cockpit.

Two 16-inch Gamin Glass Bridge screens switch between GPS, sounder and full engine readouts and the C-Zone monitors all systems. Volvo Dynamic Positioning System slow speed manoeuvring is handled the through the joystick, and once underway you can switch to the easily adjustable Garmin Autopilot aside the helm. Driving from the wheel is so last decade. 

THE RIDE

For our review, we headed offshore through the Gold Coast Seaway into a lazy 1-1.5m sea with only a slight wind chop. Response from the throttles was immediate and swift. The forward-facing props pulled forcefully from a stop and had us quickly onto plane and to a comfortable cruise at mid 20kt. Ride across all quarters of sea direction was smooth and hassle-free, and the light steering was responsive and predictable.

Into the swell, we maintained 18-22kt with spray thrown wide of the hull across the bigger sets. Transition through the waves was smooth and safe, and despite the spectacular water show, we saw no spray on the screen. Backing off to 17kt showed how well the boat will cover long distances with economy and comfort as it rode effortlessly forward. Riviera takes pride in the reputation their boats share for seaworthiness and the short time on the 50 SMY proved the value of a well designed and properly built hull. 

At rest, the slow roll at a beam-on position reassured me that the boat would be comfortable at anchor.  Handling is precise and predictable, and it’s clear the counter-rotating props have plenty of bite to drive you through sporty changes of direction without any dramas.

We ran our speed and fuel use trials back in the calm conditions of the Broadwater, and we came within 0.1kt of the best performance in Riviera’s sea trials at 33.6kt for a two-way average run. Optimum cruise came up at 2200rpm where we managed 22kt for a fuel use of 166L/h total and a projected range of 393NM. Have a look at the chart though, and you will see the range is relatively linear right through the revs from 1800rpm to full noise at 2350. 

Throttle back, and the passage-making personality shines through. You can achieve something like 1200NM at a bit over 7kt if you want to settle back and stretch the range.

THE WRAP

At an entry price of $1,816,929, the new 50 SMY seems to be hitting a sweet spot for owner-drivers in Australia and the US, where demand is outstripping supply. It’s a boat big enough for a crowd on the harbour and yet small enough not to be too intimidating for those new to boating. It’s extremely capable of long-distance coastal cruising with high levels of luxury to enjoy extended stays at anchor when you arrive. The 50 Sports Motor Yacht is truly a boat for our times and Riviera could be right that it's a boat for all reasons. 

Find new and used Riviera boats for sale here.

FACTS & FIGURES

PRICED FROM

$1,816,929

OPTIONS FITTED

Satellite TV, Chirp Radar, Garmin Chirp sounder, Underwater lighting, cockpit and mezzanine soft furnishing package, Seafari watermaker, Clearwake exhaust, Siren Remote monitoring, more.

PRICE AS TESTED

$2,035,613

GENERAL

MATERIAL: GRP Solid bottom cored sides and superstructure

TYPE: Flybridge Monohull

LENGTH: LOA 17.01m (55ft 10in) 15.43m (50ft 7in)

BEAM: 4.96m (16ft 3in)

DRAFT: 1.45m (4ft 9in)

WEIGHT: 25,500kg

CAPACITIES

PEOPLE: 6 (NIGHT)

FUEL: 3300L

WATER: 460L

ENGINE

MAKE/MODEL: Volvo Penta D11 IPS 900 x 2

TYPE: common rail, six-cylinder, twin-turbo and supercharged diesel.

RATED POWER: 533kW (725hp)

DISPLACEMENT: 10.84L

WEIGHT: 1800kg ea

MANUFACTURED BY

Riviera Australia

50 Waterway Dr Coomera 

Qld 4209

P: (07) 5502 5555

W: rivieraaustralia.com.au