Riviera 47 G2: Pre Loved
Riviera's 47 launched in 2002 to become one of its most popular models both here and in America, and with good reason: sports boat performance pushed the 47-footer beyond the coveted 30 knot milestone, and it had an interior with three cabins with two heads. The 47 was intended for a variety of uses that included entertaining, cruising and sports fishing, so this versatility was another reason for its wide appeal.
Our review boat, hull number 47, has been in the same family for the last four years but lack of use has prompted them to ask experienced Pittwater broker Andrew Moore to put her on the market. Built in 2005 and with a lot of new gear and options, this an ideal cruiser for those endless Sydney summers. The three-cabin layout plus convertible lounge berths mean that there are 10 berths, making it an ideal family holiday boat. The air-conditioned saloon has the galley forward and the lounge aft for effortless socialising during outdoor dining, capped by a barbecue on the transom and plenty of space around it on the large teak swim platform.
Moving inside, the dinette is opposite the galley and clad in cream leather, an L-shaped layout maximising seating while behind it is the day fridge and entertainment centre (a large Panasonic television and zoned Bose system). The joinery is largely Cherrywood and medium-stained to avoid an overly dark feel. Typical of Riviera, space is plentiful thanks to vertical bulkheads and large windows on all sides, including the galley that is fully equipped. Here, there is ample Corian bench space for preparation, a two hob Fisher & Paykel electric cooktop and a Smeg convection microwave. Perishables go into two large fridges and a Tundra freezer, while washing up is taken care of by a dishwasher. A water maker ensures there's no shortage of the H2O, while down below is a washer-dryer for clothes.
Accommodation access is through the front saloon, which leads down to two portside cabins and the bow master cabin and its ensuite, while the second port one shares its bathroom as the day head. The smallest cabin has full-sized bunk beds with under-bunk storage, meaning they are perfect for children but can accommodate adults easily enough. The midships cabin has a double mattress with tall headroom and several cupboards, along with bulkhead television. It also has a small dresser with mirror and, most usefully, a lounge that converts to a pullman berth. Adjoining it is the day head with moulded base and shower. The full bows mean space around the island queen bed and headroom runs forward, where a deck hatch is ideally placed for light and ventilation. The ensuite has stylish teak flooring, large skylight and a spacious shower cubicle that completes a functional layout on the Riviera 47.
TEAK TOPSIDE
The teak-clad topside has typical Riviera attention-to-detail with a quality Muir windlass and heavy Manson 80lb anchor. This is also where the dinghy resides: an Aquapro 341 RIB powered by a 50 HP Mercury outboard, which can easily be hoisted aboard with the Navigator davit crane that has a capacity of 450kg. Other topside highlights include tall stainless safety rails, toe rails and large cleats, including midships. Climbing the stairs from the aft cockpit brings you to the working part of the boat, where the large flybridge is dominated by the steering console. Recent navigation gear includes 2017 Raymarine smarts: a 12-inch Hybrid touch plotter, digital radar and autopilot.
The no-nonsense layout has a large steering wheel with chunky electronic throttles to starboard and the all-important bow thruster (Sidepower) to aid the Cummins shaft drives for berthing. Analogue dials for engine information are easily readable, while the steerer has a dedicated bucket seat to perch on and another one alongside. Features that you don't see on lesser brands include the quality top marine-grade stainless bimini stanchions and the sensibly-placed handholds.
STURDY HULL
Riviera are renowned for their sturdiness (and their offshore capabilities in turn), evidenced by the heavily laid-up hull that has hand laid fibreglass underneath and balsa cored above the waterline to save weight. Engine access is near the transom which reveals the Twin Cummins 660HP QSM 11 shaft drives. Recorded engines hours are 1057, which is about average for the year. A wide walkway and deep bilges are other Riviera features, while the forward bulkhead has the generator sensibly inboard for weight distribution. Filters are off the floor and batteries are slightly above the walkway in case of water incursion. Generous tankage all-round ensures that this boat can go places without worrying about your next port of call. Having worked in large yacht engine rooms myself I'd have no complaint on the Riviera 47, so in saying that, bring on the summer!
QUICK SPECS
- Price:$615,000
- Location: Pittwater
- Year: 2005
- Length (overall): 16.36m
- Beam: 4.85m
- Draft: 1.35m
- Displacement: 20,000kg
- Fuel: 2168l
- Water: 860l
- ENGINE: Twin QSM11 Cummins
- Type: Turbo-charged, fully electronic, straight sixes
- Power: 660HP, Displacement (ea): 10.8lt
- Weight (ea): around 1125kg plus gearbox
- Gearboxes (Make/ratio): Twin Disk 1.53:1
- Props: Five-blade bronze
- Design: Riviera
Broker: Andrew Moore Marine
Royal Motor Yacht Club
Marina Office
46 Prince Alfred Parade
Newport NSW 2106
Contact
Phone: 02 9979 8222
Fax: 02 9999 4108
Email: sales@andrewmooremarine.com.au.
Check out the full feature in issue #505 of Trade-a-Boat magazine. Subscribe today for all the latest camper trailer news, reviews and travel inspiration.