Riviera Belize 66 Daybridge (2020-)

Brief Summary

The Belize 66 Daybridge is a boat that parent company Riviera Yachts expects experienced yacht owners to be interested in. After driving her, we know why. She handles like a performance boat and she exhibits attention to detail that is above most. 

Owners can choose more custom options on the 66 Daybridge. Her flybridge, salon and cockpit are all spacious and inviting and she can be laid out belowdecks with three or four cabins.

Key Features

• Large flybridge 
• Tender garage
• Dual control stations in cockpit
• Opening galley window
• Optional crew quarters
• Bow lounge

Test Results

Specifications

Length Overall	69’ 2'' 21.09 m
Beam	17' 11'' 5.45 m
Dry Weight	77,195 lbs. 35,015 kg
Tested Weight	85,741 lbs. 38,891 kg
Draft	5’ 3'' 1.6 m
Bridge Clearance	24’ 7'' 7.49 m
Fuel Capacity	1,189 gal. 4,501 L
Water Capacity	185 gal. 700 L
Total Weight	85,741 lbs. 38,891 kg

Acceleration Times & Conditions

Time to Plane	10.6 sec.
0 to 30	16.2 sec. (0 to 20)
Load	4 persons, full fuel, 2/5 water, 50 lbs. of gear
Climate	74 deg., 45 humid; wind: 15-20 mph; seas: <1

Engine Options

Tested Engine	2 x 1,000-hp Volvo Penta D13 IPS1350
Std. Power	2 x 1350-hp Volvo Penta D13

Captain's Report

By Eric Colby

Mission Statement

The largest model in the Belize line, the Belize 66 Daybridge, made her debut at last year’s Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. A hardtop version was hull No. 1 and our test boat, the flybridge model, was Hull No. 2. She’s designed to appeal to the experienced boater who wants to spend time out on the water, not tied up at the slip. Once a captain takes the helm, he/she will understand why.

She’s one of the best-performing IPS-equipped boats we’ve ever run. The flybridge, cockpit, and salon are intended for entertaining crowds and belowdecks, she can be arranged with three or four staterooms with a full-beam master. Crew quarters are optional.

Major Features

• Boarding gates on each side of the cockpit
• Garage with removable rails for launching tender
• Section of the swim platform lowers hydraulically
• Spacious bow seating area
• Full-beam master stateroom
• Available crew quarters

Performance

The Numbers. The 66 Daybridge measured 69’3” (21.12 m) long with a beam of 17’11” (5.45 m) and a draft of 5’5” (1.64 m). Dry weight is listed at 84,911 lbs. (38,515 kgs). With 1,188 gallons (4,500 L) of fuel, 185 US gallons (700 L) of water, four people and test equipment onboard, we had an estimated test weight of 85,741 lbs. (38,891 kg).

Speed and Range. Our test boat was powered by twin 1,000-hp Volvo Penta IPS1350 pods. At a maximum of 32470 rpm, we hit a top speed of 32.1 knots. Best cruise came at 2100 rpm, we measured 25.5 knots and burned 68.5 gph. This gave us 46 nmpg and a range of 398 nautical miles with 10 percent of the boat’s 1,189-gallon (4,500 L) fuel capacity in reserve. At 600 rpm, the boat ran 5.6 knots and burned 2.7 gph, giving the boat a rating of 2.1 nmpg. Bump up to 1000 rpm and the speed goes up to 11.5 knots with a fuel burn of 11.5 gph and 0.7 nmpg.

In the opinion of our test captain, the real gem of this beautiful boat is in her handling. Simply put, there’s nothing like it. This big 69’ (21.09 m) handles like a sportboat. Where we usually see IPS-driven boats take almost four to five boat lengths, or more, to come around 180 degrees, the Belize 66 Daybridge does it in 1 to 1.5 boat lengths. And 20 seconds is all it takes to do a 180 at cruise speed.  It’s exhilarating and comfortable as she does it more by swinging the stern around rather than grabbing the turn and throwing everyone and everything to the outside of the turn. She’ll dig her shoulder in causing a slight drop in speed but that only adds to her comfort during these performance turns. 

She’s equally responsive to the throttles. Shove them forward and she accelerates smoothly, and once the turbos kick in, she jumps ahead and reaches planing speed in an average of 10.6 seconds. 20 mph came and went in 16.2 seconds. And with her efficient hull, she’ll remain on plane right on down to 14.2 knots opening up the range to 433.4 nm. 

Features Inspection

The Flybridge. Since most captains will prefer running the Belize 66 Daybridge from the upper helm, we’ll start our features inspection up there. The helm is centrally positioned, and three-panel consoles are covered in soft-touch vinyl. The wood-trimmed stainless-steel steering wheel is to left ahead with one of two Garmin 21” (53.34 cm) multifunction displays just ahead. In the center between the two raised screen consoles are two Volvo Penta tachometers with built-in digital displays that a captain can scroll through. The compass is just above.

To port, alongside the wheel, is an air conditioning duct and the ignition panel. On the starboard side, there’s a third 17” (43.18 cm) Garmin display that includes camera views for the bow, stern, and engine room. To the right of that are the C-Zone digital switch panel, the spotlight control, and the JL Audio stereo controls with another air conditioning duct alongside. The upper helm has a total of three high-backed bucket seats made by Italian manufacturer Selto. They all adjust fore and aft and recline. Outboard of the captain’s chair to port are the Volvo Penta digital shift and throttle controls, a joystick for docking and steering the boat while cruising, the remote control for the Garmin displays and the push-button-style accessory switches that light when activated.

The Flybridge. Abaft the helm, to starboard is a long lounge that could seat at least a half-dozen people facing inboard. It also has an angled backrest on the aft console that could create a comfortable forward-facing chaise lounge. There’s snap-in carpet underfoot and, to starboard, an L-shaped lounge wraps around a glossy-wood folding table that has four beverage holders in the center.

In the overhead, we see the attention to detail with inlaid teak panels and an opening sunroof that measures 7’3” by 6’3” (220.98 m x 190.5 m). Folding fabric panels fill in the sunroof when it’s closed. Headroom on the flybridge is 6’2” (1.87 m). Aft, the flybridge bar to port has a sink with open countertops and an outlined spot for the optional grill. In the base, there’s a refrigerated drawer. To starboard, there’s another cold drawer. Aft the open deck area is encircled by 33” (83.82 cm)-tall rails and there are two moveable deck chairs. If shade is preferred, a retractable awning can be deployed.

The Bow. From the flybridge, we could look over the equally inviting bow, so we headed below to check it out. A horseshoe-shaped lounge wraps around a high-gloss table that’s on a heavy-duty post that can adjust the height. The table folds and has four stainless-steel beverage holders in the center. The backrests can be individually adjusted and a Bimini top with a folding stainless-steel frame can be raised for shade. Forward, the grounding tackle is on an elevated platform, There are chocks on each side forward of 14” (35.56 cm) cleats and in the center is a Muir windlass with an all-chain rode, and a 99.21-lb. (45-kg) Ultra anchor.

A chain stopper and a chain protector provide redundancy. Rode access is to the right and to the left are raw and freshwater washdowns and the remote control for the windlass. As we headed aft on the side decks, we couldn’t help but notice the wraparound windshield for the pilothouse. The center section is 7’3” by 4’6” (220.98 cm x 137.16 cm) and the teak brow that wraps around is a single piece that is actually steamed and bent to meet the pilothouse contours.

The Stern. Working our way aft was easy on 18” (45.72 cm) wide side decks that are wide enough for an adult to walk on them facing forward. Rails top out at 30” (76.2 cm) and there are two amidships 14” (35.56 cm) cleats. About ¾ of the way aft, there boarding doors in the hullsides. All the way aft, the 66 Daybridge has a full-beam swim platform that extends 5’8” (172.72 cm). A section of the platform hydraulically lowers into the water to create a private beach or to launch the tender that stores in the garage just ahead.

Sockets in the platform are for removable stainless-steel rails that can be used to facilitate launching a tender. There are 10” (25.4 cm) pop-up cleats on the platform that can be used to secure the tender. Underneath the top step on the starboard side are the washdowns, controls for the platform and garage, overhead courtesy and underwater lights, and the shorepower cords and reels. Under the step on the port side are the 50-amp shorepower cord plus utility connections.

The Cockpit. Passageways to the cockpit are on each side and they close with heavy-duty stainless-steel gates. In each aft corner are warping winches with cleats and chocks. The aft cockpit lounge is 7’10” (2.39 m) wide and there’s L-shaped seating to starboard around a pedestal table. Like the flybridge table, one in the cockpit has a folding section and the stainless-steel beverage holders in the center.

To port, a cockpit bar has a double-burner Kenyon grill with a forward serving area and a refrigerator drawer and ice maker in the base. Overhead, the flybridge extends aft over the cockpit. There’s 7’5” (2.26 m) of headroom and the underside is treated with teak highlights in one of many examples of the craftsmanship we saw throughout the boat. In each aft corner of the cockpit, there is a joystick in its own compartment. The captain or mate can just push in the hatch and it pops up for easy docking.

The Galley. Moving into the Belize 66 Daybridge’s salon via a stainless-steel framed sliding glass door, when we first entered, the galley is aft to starboard. There’s a large stone countertop into which is set a two-burner Miele induction cooktop that has a retractable vent fan above. A microwave-convection oven is below and there’s a Miele dishwasher as well.

Above and below, there’s ample storage capacity and opposite the galley are a full-size Vitrifigo refrigerator and a large pull-out pantry. Galley controls include a panel for the C-Zone digital switching. To improve traction underfoot, Belize leaves the grain open and coats the deck with silica. To create a seamless connection between the galley and the cockpit, the aft galley window and door open fully.

The Salon. Moving forward, the stairs to the flybridge are to port, but are indoors, protected from the elements. The open floating-tread design has courtesy lights on each step and the stairs are coated in the same silica as the decking for improved traction. It’s a 9” (22.86 cm) step up from the galley to the salon, but Belize maintains the 6’7” (2.0 m) of headroom by raising the overhead.

To starboard, there’s a lounge with an ottoman that has a portable table covering part of it. There’s dedicated storage for glasses and stemware in the ottoman base. Across is the cabinet that houses the retractable 55” (139.7 cm) TV and just ahead is a door that opens to the side deck. Forward to port is a dining table with a lounge along the port side and three individual chairs. Forward to starboard, the lower helm is an option and it consists of a compass in line with the steering wheel, a 21” (53.34 cm) Garmin multifunction screen, Volvo Penta engine instruments and C-Zone digital switching.

Outboard of the lower helm seat to starboard are the digital controls and the remote control for scrolling through the Garmin display. A joystick for steering the boat is in the single Selto captain’s chair that has the same adjustability as the seats we saw on the flybridge.

Accommodations

Master Stateroom. The stairs to the cabin level are finished with the same treatment as the galley deck and flybridge steps. Aft, the master stateroom is full-beam and it has 6’4” (1.93 m) of headroom. The berth measures 84” by 63” (213.36 cm x 160.02 cm) and it’s a comfortable 28” (71.12 cm) off the sole. There’s a couch-style lounge to starboard and a bureau of drawers to port. A 42” (106.68 cm) TV is on the aft bulkhead and storage includes dual cedar-lined hanging lockers, smaller compartments and nightstands.

Adjacent to the berth headboard is entry to the ensuite head. It’s an 11” (27.94 cm) step down and the electric flush toilet is on a platform. Countertops are stone and there’s a spacious separate shower. A door behind the head leads to what would be crew quarters and a second one opens to the engine room. In the companion way, we found the Miele washer and dryer hidden from view, behind a door. When we exit the master quarters, through the main companionway, there are storage drawers and a wine chiller.

Guest Cabins. Our test boat had the four-cabin layout with two guest cabins separating the master from the VIP quarters in the bow. The cabin to port has longitudinally positioned separate berths that can slide together plus a hullside window and a hanging locker.

Just ahead to port is entry to what will also be used as the day head. Directly across the companionway is another cabin with over-under berths arranged in an L-configuration plus a hanging locker.

The VIP. In the Belize 66 Daybridge’s bow, the VIP cabin has 6’8” (2.03 m) of headroom and an island berth that measures 75” long by 61” wide (190.5 cm x 154.94 cm) and is 31” (78.74 cm) off the sole. Hullside windows on both sides let in natural light and there’s a TV on the aft bulkhead.

Storage is offered in dual hanging lockers and four drawers in the base of the berth. The ensuite head is nearly identical to the facilities provided in the master with a separate shower, vessel sink on a stone counter and heated towel rack.

The Engine Room. Four hatches in the cockpit deck plus another belowdecks provide access to the 66 Daybridge’s engine compartment, including two rear hatches directly above the IPS drives. The IPS1350s link to the pods with jackshafts between the drives is the Seakeeper 16 gyroscopic stabilizer.

Just ahead is the 29 kW generator. Battery boxes and air conditioning are aft with the water recovery system. On the forward bulkhead, the 240-volt AC and 24-volt DC panels are in clear view. Water-separating fuel filters are also easily accessed for routine maintenance.

Base Retail Price

$3,929,666

Observations

When our test captain was walking down the docks the day before our test of the Belize 66 Daybridge, he saw the boat pulling into the marina and he was awestruck by its appearance. He just stood there and watched, which says a great deal.

Parent company Riviera Yachts says the Belize 66 Daybridge is a downeast boat with contemporary styling. That sounds good to us. An owner who buys this boat will have to wait about a year after placing an order, but once it arrives, it will turn heads.

As if the looks aren’t enough, the performance is going to turn heads. The combination of agility, acceleration, and flat out speed will ensure that an owner won’t want to just hang out in the slip on this boat.