Riviera unveils its new 57 Enclosed Flybridge – the embodiment of innovation
The newest member of Riviera’s impressive and supremely seaworthy collection of flybridge luxury motor yachts – the 57 Enclosed Flybridge – will make her World Premiere at the Sydney International Boat Show in Australia (July 30 to August 3, 2015).
Stylish, sophisticated and sublime, the three- stateroom/two bathroom Riviera 57 Enclosed Flybridge – with full beam master stateroom – is the embodiment of innovation, from her pioneering design to her state-of-the-art navigation technology, and right through to her final fit-out and luxuriously polished finish.
Riviera chairman and owner Rodney Longhurst says the iconic luxury yacht builder’s dedicated team has integrated next-generation marine technology into the new 57 Enclosed, including the full features of the innovative Volvo Glass Cockpit navigation and CZone digital switching systems.
“The Riviera 57 Enclosed Flybridge’s new and distinctive design has everything in perfect proportion but the perception of magnitude is perhaps even greater when you’re on board,” he says.
“She really is futuristic in so many ways.”
The future is now
With her new hardtop, flybridge and deck moulds, the new 57 Enclosed exhibits powerful and noble lines with muscular sheer forward and deep topside dimensions, giving her a freeboard akin to a much larger yacht altogether.
The perception of volume is complemented by the fact her hull lines run straight aft from the maximum mid-ship beam of 5.13m (16′ 10″). This, in turn, provides an extremely buoyant lift and planing surface, while her keel delivers straight tracking and great stability, enhancing her penultimate blue-water pragmatism.
The Riviera 57 Enclosed Flybridge creates a whole new indoor/outdoor living experience with a clever new cockpit design, complete with large transom and mezzanine lounges, wet bar, barbecue, drawer fridge and ice-maker. She also retains the cockpit connectivity which Riviera has made an art form, with an aft modern galley with high-end appliances and solid surface bench tops featuring an awning window that opens out and over the mezzanine, and puts the chef right at the centre of the social scene.
The spacious and sumptuous saloon – which also features premium brand appliances and furnishings including massive wide-screen TV and two lounges – offers a clear view not only of the almost 360-degree water-view vista but also the massive, wide-screen 48” LED TV that rises electronically from the forward dash, creating a floating sports arena or movie theatre experience.
“Natural light and fresh air is enhanced through opening tinted saloon side windows which, in tandem with the massive front windscreen, filter light right through the companionway,” says Mr Longhurst.
“The master stateroom, again defying convention for a vessel of this size, luxuriates right across the full beam and has a king-sized bed with innerspring mattress and upholstered headboard right amidships in the most stable part of the yacht.
“The forward guest stateroom engenders no envy of the level of luxury in the master and positions a queen-size walk-around bed in pride of place, and also its own ensuite bathroom which, with twin entry, doubles as the day head.
“The starboard stateroom is also air-conditioned has adult-sized upper and lower beds, also with innerspring mattresses and a deck hatch as well as reading and overhead lighting.”
A flybridge to look up to
The new Riviera 57’s fully enclosed flybridge is another complete revelation, with enormous and comfortable L-shaped lounge which has rod storage underneath, a hi-lo table, slumber seat with fridge forward as well as a wet bar and sink.
Subtly integrated above is a huge sliding electric sunroof which, together with slide-open side windows, creates a virtual sky lounge full of light, space and fresh air.
Aft is a rear awning window and sliding door open out to the teak-laid aft deck of the flybridge, which has a lounge and aft starboard docking station, including joystick, throttles and steering wheel for IPS, or throttles and bow thruster for the shaft-drive option, with the option of a stern thruster too. Clears, with zipper-opening windows, can be fitted here too should you wish to expand the flybridge space even further.
“It’s the state-of-the-art ergonomic helm of the 57 Enclosed Flybridge that skippers will really appreciate – three massive clear, tempered windscreens with excellent visibility, and two fully adjustable chairs from which all essential navigational and systems controls are within easy reach of the skipper,” says Mr Longhurst, whose passion for technology underpins Riviera’s evolution on the world stage.
“The Riviera Enclosed Flybridge’s all-new dash has enough room for three massive 19” multi-function display screens, as well as dedicated switches for the horn and pantographic wipers with intermittent settings, the overhead and navigation lights and also the intercom to both the galley and engine room,” he says.
“Here you will also find convenient drink-holders, a centre console and a moulded recess forward for mobile phones, ensuring everything is right where it should be when you need it.”
Seamlessly integrating the state-of-the-art Volvo Penta Glass Cockpit navigation system with BEP’s CZone digital switching very much confirms Riviera’s place as a pioneer in the sphere of marine technology and innovation.
And it places the supremely seaworthy Riviera 57 Enclosed Flybridge at the very forefront of world-class recreational flybridge yachts of this size.
Volvo, through the game-changing IPS pod propulsion, already offers the joys of joystick maneuverability, Dynamic Positioning System for station-holding while preparing lines and fenders or while waiting off a fuel jetty, as well Anti-Corrosion Protection and Auto-Pilot. However, the Glass Cockpit takes the overview and control of engines and navigation, including optional charts, sonar and radar (even auto-pilot) to extraordinary new heights … and all in one place, and also extends to auto-trim and full slow-speed steering, SportFish mode and Clear Wake.
Enter CZone: which extends the touch-screen monitoring and control to a suite of other onboard systems, including lighting, pumps, batteries, entertainment systems and appliances.
“This neatly brings us to what may well be the really heroic aspect of this boat – the engineering department that makes all this performance and generosity possible,” says Mr Longhurst.
Your choice of pod or shaft drive
“There are three choices for a drive package for new the 57 Enclosed Flybridge, with the standard set-up being very popular twin IPS2-950 pod configuration with D11 engines each delivering 725hp.
“Of course the option is yours to upgrade to the new-generation IPS-1200 system, each of which is rated at 900hp with powerful D13 engines and which also delivers Volvo’s impressive fuel efficiency, low noise levels, long cruising range and high top-end speed.
“Or you can choose the innovative new Volvo Penta D13 shaft drive propulsion, also 900hp and with bow and optional stern thruster.”
Riviera has indeed put to purpose every piece of available space onboard the new 57 Enclosed Flybridge, with cutting edge computer software allowing Riviera’s team of talented and passionate international designers to maximise living space while at the same time ensuring there is on convenient access to every key maintenance point so any issues can be quickly identified and addressed, and service costs are kept to a minimum.
“Of course, this thoughtful consideration for our Riviera family of owners is a key part of our ethos of doing all we can to help our valued owners achieve … ‘the ultimate boating experience’,” says Mr Longhurst.