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Text and photographs by Antonio Bignami
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RIVA 54 AQUARIUS
We believe many yachtsmen have been waiting for this new
launching, from the famous yard which has set many times the state
of both yacht design and engineering and which, after some ups and
downs, has finally reached its optimal course, projected to the
future without disregarding tradition and elegance. By introducing
the new 54 Aquarius, Riva yard has really magnetized everybody's
attention at the last Genova International Boat Show; the yacht
is, probably, one of the most perfect example of design, where
innovation style and the unique Riva charm are masterly mixed together.
This open boat feature plenty of space outside, where
sophisticated and rational solutions, such as the spacious aft sun
bathing area with hydraulic gangway and tender storage area
underneath, the beautiful cockpit furniture with ice-maker and
gill area and the comfortable dinette with adjustable table, have
been adopted with an almost perfect degree of finishing
throughout, as usual on Riva's yachts. The teak and stainless
steel handrail, the elegant cup-holder in the forward sun bathing
area and the excellent dashboard are just some examples of the
incredible attention to detailing.
However the 54 Aquarius' focal
point is below deck, where the innovative-traditional concept
reaches its top. The precious cabins and leaving areas are almost
rarefied in their elegant sobriety with luxury wood upholstery
(obtained with an advanced manufacturing technique) and the
characteristic round doors. The two comfortable cabins (the "just
two cabins" lay-out is purposely part of the boat's concept to
ensure top-class habitability) offering the required privacy, the
dinette featuring an extensible table, the fully hidden
 TECHNICAL DATA
Builder: Cantieri Riva; via Predore 30; 24067 Sarnico (BG); tel.: +39-35-910202 fax: +39-35-911059
Project by: Cantieri Riva
LOA: 17.39 mt
Register length: 16.65 mt
Max. beam: 4.75 mt
GRT: 43 tons
Molded depth: 2.55 mt
Max. draft: 1.30 mt
Light displacement: 19.500 kg
Full load displacement: 23.700 kg
Max. passengers capacity: 10 persons
Engines: 2x820 hp Man D2840 LXE
Total installed power: 1640 hp
Transmission: shaft line
Engines weight (reduction gear included): 3338 kg
Light displacement to installed horsepower ratio: 11.89
Top speed (declared): 39 knots
Cruise speed: 32.9 knots
Fuel capacity: 2500 liters
Fresh water capacity: 700 liters
Berths: 4+1 in 3 cabins
Range: 370 miles at cruise speed
Cruise speed fuel consumption: 220 l/h)
Tested boat price: 1.885.000.000 (VAT not included)
Average miles range, at a given rpm, is obtained
dividing the total fuel capacity (2500 liters) for the
"liters/mile" corresponding to the entered rpm. Plotted fuel
consumption is declared by the engines' manufacturer: tuning of
the engines, weight of persons, stores, etc... on board, hull
conditions and propeller type can effect the real fuel
consumption.
CONSTRUCTION PARTICULARS
Hull type: V bottom with 12° deadrise
Construction material: hull side: fiberglass balsa sandwich
construction, hull bottom: solid fiberglass.
Deck and particulars material: fiberglass balsa sandwich
construction, stainless steel deck fittings.
Fore deck: windlass, Fortess anchor 47 kg, four cleats on
each side, sun-bathing area, teak and stainless steel handrail,
hatch, fore cleats, teak drink holder.
Cockpit particulars: steering station and charting area,
pilot seat an settee, U shaped dinette with extensible table, aft
sun-bathing area with tender storage underneath, hydraulic
actuated hatch, stainless steel and toughened glass sliding
entrance door to the underdeck area, teak handrail.
Swimming platform particulars: teak planking, hot and cold
water shower, fully hidden hydraulic gangway, entrance door to the crew quater.
Superstructure and windows material: fiberglass radar arch,
toughened glass windshield.
INTERIORS
Lay-out and main features: forward owner cabin with double bed
and en-suite bathroom with separated shower, saloon area with U shaped
dinette and extensible table, wet bar, fully hidden galley, guest
cabin on the port side with double bed or twin beds on request, guest
cabin< on the starboard side with separated shower, leather
upholstery, velvet-feel exotic woods, aft crew cabin (access from the
cockpit) with bed, locker, separated bathroom and stereo system.
Steering station: six persons settee, wheel, throttles,
compass, engines alarms, gauges and instruments, auto-pilot, depth
sounder, GPS (connected to the auto-pilot), horn, log, search
light, VHF, chart table to the starboard side.
Galley: fully hidden with sink and ceramic-glass cooking
top, blower, six persons dinner-set, refrigerator, freezer,
microwave oven, hanging lockers, storage lockers and drawers.
ACCESSORIES
Standard equipment: salt water deck washing plant, 220 v
shore line socket and telephone plug, cockpit refrigerator and
ice-maker, stereo system with CD player in the saloon, reversible
air conditioning, convertible top, chain washing pump.
Optional: Riva meteo station, plotter, radar, SSB.
TRIAL RESULTS
SEA AND WEATHER CONDITIONS AT TRIAL TIME
wind: -
sea state: calm
OBSERVED PERFORMANCES
Planning time: 7 seconds
Minimum planning speed: 21/22 knots at 1400 rpm
Top speed: 39 knots at 2400 rpm (1640 hp)
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Seakeeping: the boat feature excellent stability and gives
a safety feeling, soft wave impact (tested crossing the course of
the support boat). Maneuverability is always safe and effective,
while turns are smooth and precise.
Rudder and trim tabs response: very effective and precise.
Visibility: always excellent.
Docking capabilities: the perfect position of deck mooring
equipment, together with comfortable side walkways allow safe
docking maneuvers; the boat feature excellent maneuverability in narrow waters.
COMFORT AND FUNCTIONALLY EVALUATION
Deck: safe to walk and completely fitted; the teak and
stainless steel handrails are very practical and elegant.
Interiors: outstanding elegance throughout with perfect
joiner work and finishing. The internal lay-out with only two
spacious cabins and bathrooms
is in our opinion an excellent design choice. Pleasing internal lighting solutions.
Passengers comfort: excellent under way, while the well
conceived interiors ensure the required privacy.
Steering comfort: very good, thanks to the comfortable
pilot seat and the well placed and complete dashboard.
Chart table: two charting areas are available to the dashboard's starboard side.
Galley: very nice and elegant with quality accessories.
Bathrooms: spacious, with excellent finishing and plenty of light.
Engine room space: the entrance door is sufficiently
comfortable, while the spacious engine room ensure practical maintenance works.
Electrical plant: rationally and elegantly placed.
WHAT WE LIKED MOST
the unsurpassed Riva style, masterly mixed with innovation and
up-to-date technology. |
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WHAT WE LIKED LESS
the engine room entrance door. |
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