Riviera 42 Platinum: Preloved

2004 Riviera 42 Platinum Second Hand

Second-generation Melbourne-based Riviera dealer Stuart Jackson, of Sandringham’s R-Marine Jacksons, sold this boat brand-new in 2004. “I was so excited,” Stuart said.

With only 490 hours on the clocks and a full service history of mainly calm water cruising, this beautiful craft is described as presenting in magnificent condition, and even still has the plastics on the carpets!

The classic 42 was certainly state-of-the-art upon release. Our former editor (unfortunately now deceased), David Lockwood, said, “…buy a cruiser like the latest Riviera 42 and you can enjoy five-star comforts and ocean-going adventure on the doorstep of your local harbour or bay. The stylish new cruiser has self-sufficiency, a handy range and a feeling of solidity and seaworthiness at sea.” Quite the endorsement.

The Riviera 42 Platinum was derived from the popular Riviera 40 Convertible — boasting a 4.5-metre beam — and if it seems a large boat by today’s standards, you aren’t imagining it, as the package is actually a touch over 50ft from platform to bowsprit.
This beautiful cruiser combines all of the features of the Platinum packaging but with a full host of extras. The 42’s hull is solid fibreglass, strengthened and supported by a skeleton of foam-filled fibreglass stringers and marine plywood bulkheads with added foam filling all voids and cavities, plus balsa core reinforcing the exterior decks and the superstructure.

FROM THE OUTSIDE IN

The Platinum 42 is, in my eyes, a more attractive boat than its predecessor, with its added length giving beautiful proportion. It also allows more room for a suitable tender, and the advertised boat comes complete with a cradle. She features a full-length bow rail with wide foredeck access, a bow thruster with remote controls to helm and cockpit, a second pair of engine controls to the cockpit, full clears to the hardtop flybridge, game poles and a recently-laid teak inlay to the cockpit and swimplatform. The huge rear deck features a coaming-moulded live bait tank, plus a hinged rear door.

UPSTAIRS/DOWNSTAIRS

The flybridge is a comfortable living space to whittle away long sea miles. There’s an L-shaped forward lounge and a pair of premium skippers’ seats. All of the navigational instruments are in the upstairs station with a full suite of Raymarine electronics including auto-pilot and radar, plus a moulded sink and bar fridge. The main saloon and galley features the typical Riviera Platinum-layout L-shaped seating to the port side that converts to a berth, a small bar area and a comfortable four-seat dinette all beautifully trimmed in beige leather.

Take a small step down to the galley where you find adequate benchtops in stone-look laminate and various cooking appliances. There is a dishwasher in the galley and a combo washer/dryer is in a locker in the passageway.

Up in the bow we find the master stateroom with its large island bed all trimmed with terrific storage, cabinetry and its own TV and entertainment systems. There’s a functional guest/kids’ quarters with convertible layout for up to three singles, as well as a full head and ensuite complete with vanity and shower.

The Riviera 42 provides comfortable and beautifully-appointed accommodation for families, friends and perhaps a full gamefishing crew for an extended adventure.

LET’S ROCK!

Riviera quoted a top speed of 29kts with the standard 480hp Cummins, however the advertised package was upgraded from new with electronically-controlled, 535hp QSM11 inline six-cylinder, turbocharged and aftercooled four-stroke diesel engines with shaft drives, which provide top speeds quoted at 31.5kts at 2100rpm. More importantly, she will deliver a sensible cruising speed of around 22.5kts around 1800rpm allowing approx 258nm range or a fast cruise of 26kts at 2000rpm, burning only slightly more at 168lt/hr for a safe range of around 250nm.

These are lovely cruising boats, but they’re also rather serious game fishers that will fit into any offshore or inshore adventure. At around half of the original price tag, superbly improved and maintained, with a long list of sensible accessories and equipment and in superb condition (with exceptionally low engine hours), this Riviera 42 Platinum presents excellent value at the $470K asking price. It is available for immediate inspection at R-

Marine Jacksons pen at Sandringham Harbour.

We’ll let our late friend Mr Lockwood have the final words eh: “Australia’s most successful boatbuilder delivers style, quality, comfort, serious cruising amenities, established after-sales service and good resale value.”

Quick Specs

RIVIERA 42 PLATINUM 2004

MATERIAL GRP
TYPE Monohull cruiser
LENGTH 15.5m w/ platform and sprit
BEAM 4.54m
WEIGHT About 15t dry

CAPACITIES
PEOPLE (NIGHT) 5 + 2
FUEL 1800lt
WATER 450lt

CONTACT:
R-Marine Jacksons
Shop 1/ 36 Rd, Sandringham Yacht Club, Vic 3191.
PH: (03) 9598 7777
www.rmarinejacksons.com.au

This story was originally published in issue #508 of Trade-a-Boat magazine. Subscribe today for all the latest boat news, reviews and travel inspiration.