Riviera Yachts 4600 Sport Yacht Platinum Edition (2024-)

The 50’ 3” (15.31 m) LOA Riviera 4600 Sport Yacht (SY) Platinum Edition is designed to be a multi-purpose yacht serving cruising and entertaining intentions. Her design was inspired by a wish list from experienced Riviera offshore cruisers. She has a fuel capacity of 555 gallons (2,100 L) giving her a 245 nm range at a cruise speed of 26.5 knots and a 549 nm range at a displacement speed of 10.3 knots.   

Test Conditions

Test day brought light-to-moderate conditions with winds from the east between 8 and 14 knots and seas of 1 – 2 feet on the ocean. The test area was just offshore Fort Lauderdale, FL.

Performance Test Results

Once offshore, our first tests were a series of runs focused on getting the speed, fuel burn and noise level (measured in decibels, or dBA) at specific RPM.  

Acceleration Times & Conditions*

The next tests were the acceleration runs.  Here, 3 tests were conducted and then averaged to get the time from 0 knots to select speeds.  With the Volvo Penta D8 IPS800s creating 600 horsepower each, the 4600 SY Platinum Edition had an acceleration time of 6.9 seconds from 0 knots to 10 knots, 14.2 seconds from 0 knots to 20 knots, 21.0 seconds from 0 to her cruise speed of 26.5 knots and 36.0 seconds from 0 to her top speed of 30.5 knots.

Range and Optimal Cruise

The Riviera 4600 has an effective range between 218 nm and 1,332 nm with a 10% fuel reserve.  At a cruise speed of 26.5 knots, she has a range of 245 nm.

Handling

The 4600 SY Platinum Edition handled well helped by the IPS drive system.  She handled well at both low and high speeds.  She ate up the slight to moderate conditions experienced on test day and seemed to chomp at the bit to get into heavier sea conditions.  

Docking

The Volvo Penta Joystick system makes for easy docking and undocking.  Our test boat was very responsive to joystick inputs…almost two responsive so adjusting to the amount of thrust input required took a little bit of time.  When there was a reverse component in a maneuver, there was a small amount of “squat” given the power of the thrust. 

•    Rugged construction designed for blue water cruising
•    Two levels of space
•    Well thought-out and functional design features
•    Best-of-the-best features based on Riviera owner feedback

The Riviera 4600 Sport Yacht Platinum Edition is a sleek looking yacht with lines and visual characteristics showing her intended dual use as an offshore cruising and entertaining vessel.  She combines contrasting white fiberglass work with dark windows, support structures, and gray accents.  Her exterior proportions look natural and of appropriate scale.

The walkway is 20” wide at hip level, 11” between gunwale and the superstructure with a sturdy stainless-steel rail that is 29” high along the entirety of the hull.

Layout

The 4600 SY Platinum Edition has two levels of space. 

The main level features three distinct seating areas, The large wrap-around aft cockpit bench, a mezzanine just forward, and a single step up from the spacious galley as well as the large sun pad on the bow.

The accommodations feature three staterooms including a full-beam master with ensuite head, a forward VIP with ensuite head that doubles as a day head, and a double with a high-low bunk to port.  

Bow

Beginning with the deck forward, there is a 60-pound Ultra stainless-steel anchor.  There is an option for a 77-pound anchor as well.  There is 162 feet of 3/8” galvanized chain rode.  The windlass is by Muir.  There is storage and access to the rode to starboard and a locker with the windlass control, windlass winch handle, and fresh/salt water washdowns to port.

Next, there is a 52 SqFt (16 SqM) foredeck sun pad that easily accommodates 3 people. The backs rachet up and down without the aid of any form of gas strut or secondary support rods.

There are shallow bow storage lockers on both port and starboard outboard of the sun pad.  These are ideal for storing lines.

The walkways port and starboard are 20” (51 cm) wide even with the railing and 11” (28 cm) wide on the sole allowing ample room to traverse from the cockpit to the bow while facing fore or aft.

Cockpit

The cockpit of the 4600 SY Platinum Edition measures 74.4 SqFt (22.7 SqM) and encompasses seating, a teak and holly table, a grill with wet bar, under counter refrigerator and icemaker, and the access hatch to the engine room. 

Given the main helm is on the port side on Riviera’s, there is an optional docking station with the Volvo Penta joystick on the starboard side of the cockpit.  Our test vessel was equipped with a station to port as well.  

The cockpit seating area has 12’ (3.7 M) linear feet of seating, enough for up to 10 people.  This seating area surrounds a high gloss, triangular-shaped teak and holly table that folds in half for easy access to the seating.  There are six drink holders in a polished stainless-steel receptacle that is accessible in either table position.

Swim Platform

The swim platform measures 13’ 6” (4.1 M) wide at its widest point and extends 62” (1.6 M) abaft the door to the garage.  52” (1.3 m) of the swim platform drops into the water for easy access to water toys or for loading/unloading of a dingy.  There are stainless-steel side rails that are removable and store in the garage.

Three steps lead from the swim platform to the cockpit to starboard or to the walkway to port.  Lift up stainless-steel gates protect both entrances to the swim platform while underway.

Garage

There is a lifting door that provides access to a garage.  This is perfect for fender or line storage or for placing water toys in the 9’ long section to port.  Two speakers provide entertainment while using the swim platform.

Salon Deck

The interior salon deck has 3 distinct spaces.  These include: 1) the helm to port, 2) a seating area to starboard and 3) the galley area split between the port and starboard sides aft.  There is a minimum of 6’ 11” (2.1 M) of headroom throughout.

Helm

The helm of the 4600 is located on the port side of the flybridge.  While many boats targeting the US market have the helm on the starboard side, I didn’t find the port side location to be an issue at all.  There is great visibility to the safety zone to the starboard side given the large windshield.  The helm is outfitted with two Garmin 12” multi-function displays.

Given the yacht is IPS powered, it comes with the integrated throttle control and joystick system for easy maneuvering.  The throttles are inboard of the helm and the joystick located outboard in easy reach of the left hand.  There is also a Sidepower electric bow thruster.  There are two seats in faux leather and suede.  The suede has an attractive diamond pattern.

There is a skylight above the forward part of the salon area that allows for natural light and breezes while at anchor or underway.  There was minimal wind noise with the skylight open while underway.

Seating Area

To starboard on the salon deck is a seating area for 6 to 8 people that surrounds a high-gloss teak table.  Forward of the seating area is a pop-up, flatscreen TV.  Powered sunshades lower outboard of the seating area.

Galley

The aft section of the salon deck contains a two-part galley with 6’ 11” (2.1 M) of headroom throughout.  Our test yacht had walnut cabinetry with a high-gloss finish.  There is also the option for light oak or cherry cabinetry.  Any option is available in either high-gloss or satin finishes.

To port is 11 linear feet (3.4 M) of counterspace.  The countertops are Corian with a water-fall effect dropping the Corian all the way to sole.  There is a 2-burner Kenyan convection cooktop with PUPS (Pop-Up Potholder System).  There is a stainless-steel sink and an under-counter convection oven / microwave.  Under the microwave is a pull-out dishwasher drawer.

To starboard is another 3’ 6” (1.1 M) of linear counter space with additional storage and a refrigerator / freezer under the counter.

Riviera’s 4600 Sport Yacht Platinum Edition comes in two- or three-stateroom configurations.  Our test yacht had the more common three-staterooms.  There is a full beam master amidship, a VIP in the bow, and a double berth stateroom to port.  The master and VIP have ensuite heads with the VIP head also serving as a day head.

Accommodations Atrium

Down five steps from the salon deck is a 12 SqFt (3.6 SqM) accommodations atrium that serves as the point of entrance to staterooms and the day head.  It also houses a full-sized, stacked washing machine and dryer.

Master

The master suite with ensuite is 111 SqFt (34 SqM) with 6’ 10” of headroom in the main section of the master.  The berth measures 76” L x 66” W with 3’ 7” of headroom above the berth. Our test yacht had wardrobe cabinets along the entire length of the master both port and starboard.  There is an option for a chaise lounge as well.

The ensuite head is 14 SqFt (4 SqM) with 6’ 9” of headroom throughout.  There is a 6.5 SqFt (2 SqM) shower that has 6’ 9” of headroom.

Forward VIP

The 87 SqFt (27 SqM) forward VIP stateroom with ensuite has 6’ 8” of headroom throughout.   The island berth measures 76” L x 60” W with headroom over the mattress of 3’ 8”.  Recessed storage areas line the port and starboard hull and there are two hanging lockers each with 4’ 7” of height.

The ensuite head is 18 SqFt (6 SqM) with 6’ 5” of headroom throughout.  There is an 8 SqFt (2 SqM) shower that has 6’ 5” of headroom.

Double Berth

The 37 SqFt (11 SqM) double berth has 6’ 7” of headroom throughout.  There is a nightstand inboard the berths. The berths are 81” L x 30” wide with 2’ 8” above both berths.

The engine room measures 173 SqFt (53 SqM) with 5’ 9” of headroom below the deck stringers and 5’ 10” of headroom in between the stringers.  There is 2’ 1” of clearance above the starboard engine, 8” of clearance above the port engine. and 2’ 6” of space between the engines.

Entrance to the engine room is through a 35” x 39” hatch in the cockpit floor.  The engine room ladder has wide, plastic treads; a nice feature that is easier on the feet than the narrow, steel treads seen on many boats.

Access around the engines and to the outboard systems is acceptable given the size of the yacht. Access to many systems such as the chillers and the Glendinning power cord mechanicals is well thought out.

There is a Kohler 14 kW generator and a Seakeeper 6 gyroscopic stabilizer to keep the boat stable in rolling seas.

Riviera Yachts builds solid yachts designed to handle the tough ocean conditions that can prevail in Australia and beyond.  But they are far from utilitarian with interior design and fit and finish worthy of superyacht standards.  Many small details are well thought out and executed and the craftmanship is top-notch.

The 4600 Sport Yacht Platinum Edition is just that – a cross between an offshore capable cruiser and an excellent entertainment platform.  It is a blend of purposes rarely executed with the depth and quality of this yacht.  The Platinum edition brings the best of the best of the most sought-after customer features as standard.

The multitude of living and entertaining spaces across her two decks make her an excellent family or family plus friends cruiser.  Features like the Volvo Penta IPS drives with integrated joystick control combined with excellent external access from bow to stern make her easy to run as a couple, or even single-handed.

Any owner / operator who is looking for a yacht that performs well as an offshore capable cruiser and a day cruiser designed for entertainment should have a look at the Riviera 4600 Sports Yacht Platinum Edition.  She is well built, spacious, refined and ready to handle just about anything the ocean can throw at her.

Remember, life is better on a boat!

Captain Gregg
[email protected]