New Rivieras at Gold Coast International Marine Expo
Riviera is making two important boating debuts at this weekend’s Gold Coast International Marine Expo: the Riviera 50 Enclosed Flybridge (making its Queensland debut), and the new Riviera 515 SUV, which is being unveiled ahead of its 2014 world release.
Of particular note is the new 515 SUV, which has an elevated helm area that Riviera says will provide excellent visibility and enough space for two 16-inch display screens, as well as a steering wheel position just off the centre line. The helm features two Navigator low-back helm chairs. The saloon features an L-shaped lounge to port with a hi-lo dining table which folds and lowers into a coffee table. Adjacent to the dining area is a three-seater settee in which the middle seat base can slide out as an ottoman to form additional seating around the main dining table. An optional smaller dining table folds out from the settee and sits between the two remaining seats to form a workspace or additional dining area. The hardtop has Webasto sunroofs above the saloon that open electrically with a push of a button.
Riviera says a flexible accommodation plan is a key feature of the new 515 SUV, with three generously sized staterooms and two bathrooms. Layout options include placing the master stateroom forward or aft with an ensuite bathroom. The two aft cabins offer full headroom while large hull windows with opening portholes on both sides let in plenty of natural light and fresh air. Optional hull port lights are available for the forward cabin.
Standard power comes from new-generation twin Cummins QSC Zeus 600 pod drives. Optional power is a choice of twin Volvo Penta IPS 800s or IPS 900 pod drives. All engine options feature joystick control for close quarters manoeuvring.
With regards to the new 50 Enclosed Flybridge, Riviera’s chairman and owner Rodney Longhurst said it was bristling with surprises and innovation.
“In a first for Riviera, the 50 offers twin transom doors in the cockpit to allow better access from both the port and starboard sides,” Longhurst said.
“The large cockpit features lounge seating with integrated and interchangeable table to provide a versatile alfresco entertaining area, while an island storage centre offers space for an optional barbecue or livebait tank, making this vessel the ideal on water entertainer or sport fisher,” he said.
The cockpit features a self-draining moulded lazarette bin that has been integrated into the cockpit floor to provide additional storage, tender storage on the boarding platform, and increased sidedeck access and the saloon offers an extensive seating arrangement with a U-shaped lounge directly opposite a three-seater settee.
The Gold Coast International Marine Expo is running this weekend.