SUPERYACHT #7
Winter 2006
Article selected from our quarterly magazine dedicated to the largest
and most luxurious boats with information, interviews, technical
articles, images and yachting news
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Article by
Martino Motti
Photographs by Martino Motti and from Riva files
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RIVA ATHENA 115
The titled and well-known shipyard Riva, founded by Pietro
Riva in 1842 in Sarnico, on Lake Iseo (Italy) and today part
of the Gruppo Ferretti Yachts, is still producing boats
destined to go down in history. After building small and
elegant wooden boats for generations the yard increased their
size little by little up to Aquarama, its famous motoryacht
with fascinating and unmistakable design that today is still
considered the yard's flagship. A range of larger deluxe
yachts followed, from the 33' Sunriva and Aquariva to the 85'
Opera and the 94' Fly (just one unit was built).
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TECHNICAL DATA
LOA: 35.05 m
LWL: 29.05 m
Beam: 7.08 m
Draft from lower tip of propellers: 1.85 m
Full load displacement: 155 t
Fuel capacity: 22,000 l
Freshwater capacity: 3,500 l
Range at maximum speed: 540 miles
Range at cruising speed: 600 miles.
For further information contact Riva S.p.A.; via
Predore, 30; 24067 Sarnico (Bergamo, Italy); tel. +39 035
910202; fax +39 035 911059; e-mail: info@riva-yacht.com;
website www.riva-yacht.com.
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The 115' Athena will be the biggest motoryacht ever built by the yard
and for which considerable investments were made, such as the
construction of the Ferretti yard in La Spezia. This new
location is almost ready and it includes offices, sheds and a
private marina where Athena will be built. The first unit will
be joined by other two already under construction and by a
fourth recently ordered one. But how did Riva decide to build
larger yachts? This project resulted to be an imposing group's
work and involved different realities and human resources.
Actually, it was born to meet the expectations, passions and
desires of an important Middle Eastern client who is a real
Riva boats collector. The yard picked up the gauntlet even
though it had never built such important and large yachts
before. Mauro Micheli and the Officina Italiana Design were
assigned to do the outside and the interior styling and Luigi
Ferretti the technical details. The design is marked by two
main lines that meet at the bow, the typical lines of Riva
production, an intrinsic signature of the yard's boats. The
instinctive impression one has when looking at the drawing is
of modern aggressiveness with a slight retro touch. The major
difficulty was the creation of a large flying bridge, similar
to that of a 130 footer, with the wheelhouse set rather
forward and a multipurpose closed-in veranda astern. Much
attention was given to the "maniacal" Riva accuracy for
details and for technical solutions. The interiors and flying
bridge layouts of this first unit are quite special because
designed to meet the client's needs, and is not representative
of the standard model which will include 4, 5 or 6 cabins
depending on the requested size of the living area. The Design
staff will work together with the client to find the decor and
aesthetics that most please him, without disrupting the Riva
imprinting or modifying the timeless lines that demonstrated
to be ever fascinating and contemporary. This is Riva, in past
and present times. The vessel, lines aside, was built and
designed in compliance with the highest quality standards in
terms of technology and safety and may be classified as
charter ship in compliance with the strictest international
rules. In broader terms, Athena 115 should be considered a
deluxe and cult object not only by the experts but also by the
global deluxe industry. Mr Micheli, the architect, tells us
how difficult was designing the flying bridge for the quite
aggressive outside lines had to combine with the round shape
and soft style of the enclosed area aft. This enclosed veranda
with glass windows that may be opened forward as well as aft
is quite unusual and innovative and functions as a real
wildcard: as home theater, as fitness center or simply as an
extra saloon. In this elegant, sophisticated, cozy and
relaxing sky lounge ten guests may enjoy the panorama on and
around the imposing 20-meter flying bridge. The interiors
feature a substantial use of dark black walnut wood
contrasting with the elegance and the refined style of white
leather sofas and ceiling coverings and ecru floorings. The
interior styling is clean and square based on modern
minimalism. Even in the galley with parquet flooring, the gray
lacquered furniture contrasts with the snow-white countertop.
Steel and aluminum transfer one's sensation into the future.
Lighting, made with spotlights and rectangular light panels on
bulkheads and ceilings, offers a cozy diffused brightness.
Bathrooms are decorated with a sober and modern taste: squared
tempered glass sinks with steel faucets, wooden cabinets and
white marble floor. The ample and cozy staterooms are all
different but identical in style. Wardrobes and the special
soundproofing panels ensure maximum privacy. The solutions
adopted for common areas, passages and deck-connecting stairs
are very interesting and were made with a special eye to
guests' privacy and easy getting around. From the technical
point of view, this is a high-performing motor yacht as
revealed by the speeds registered by the yard: a maximum speed
of 26.5 knots and a cruising speed of 23. The yacht is fitted
with two 12V 4000 M90 MTU engines of 2,775 hp each, with in-line shaft.
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