Riviera 64 Sports Motor Yacht (2021-)

Brief Summary

The Riviera 64 Sports Motor Yacht is designed for owners who want the bluewater sportfish looks but also want to enjoy a variety of activities. The Sports Motor Yacht designation indicates that the boat will have an enclosed flying bridge. She’s available with a choice of accommodations plans.

Test Results

Specifications

Length Overall	69'8" 21.23 m
Beam	19'1" 5.8 m
Dry Weight	94,755 lbs. 42,980.15 kg
Tested Weight	104,394 lbs. 47,352.32 kg
Draft	5'6" 1.68 m
Fuel Capacity	1,717 gallons 6,500 L
Water Capacity	198 gallons 749.5 L
Total Weight	104,394 lbs. 47,352.32 kg

Acceleration Times & Conditions

Props	Veem 5 blade 41 x 51
Load	3 persons; 1,400 gal. fuel; 79.2 gal. water; 50 lbs. gear
Climate	84 deg.; 68 humid.; winds: 10-15; seas: <1

Engine Options

Tested Engine	2 x 1,550-hp MAN V12 Shaft-Drive
Std. Power	2 x 1,300-hp MAN V8 Shaft-Drive
Opt. Power	2 x 1,550-hp MAN V12 Shaft-Drive

Captain's Report

Report by Eric Colby

Mission Statement

The Riviera 64 Sports Motor Yacht fills a gap between 50’ (15.24 m) and 68’ (20.73 m) in the SMY series and she’s designed to blend the sportier, aggressive lines and bluewater capabilities of a sportfishing boat with the amenities of a cruising motoryacht. The manufacturer expects that she will most likely be an owner-operator’s yacht.

Riviera 64 Sports Motor Yacht Major Features

• Enclosed flying bridge
• Galley positioned to serve multiple areas
• Raised mezzanine deck under cover
• Tilt-out window between mezzanine and galley
• Large bow seating area
• Choice of accommodations deck plans
• Full-beam master stateroom

Riviera 64 Sports Motor Yacht Features Inspection

The Flying Bridge. A good example of the extra attention that Riviera pays to the details, the entry to the flying bridge closes with a high-gloss wood hatch instead of the usual acrylic one. Inside, the climate-controlled area has an L-shaped lounge to starboard with a TV in a cabinet directly across. Stainless-steel rails in the overhead are wrapped in leather and the forward section of the hardtop contains an opening sunroof. There’s a stainless-steel framed sliding door that opens to the aft area and a window that tilts out and up. The outdoor section has a lounge that wraps around a table to starboard with dedicated liferaft storage aft. To port is a bar with a sink and a refrigerator in the base. Aft is an outdoor helm station with engine and joystick controls and a Raymarine multifunction display. The captain can lean back against a padded bolster that’s 32” (81.28 cm) off the deck.

The Flying Bridge Helm. The 64 Sports Motor Yacht’s indoor helm is neatly laid out with a compass in line with the tilt steering wheel. The station is offset to port because the stairs to the salon are to starboard. Three 21” (53.34 cm) Raymarine multifunction displays can be customized to deliver information, including images on the boat’s camera systems and radar, to the captain’s preference. A shallow tray directly abaft the steering wheel has connectivity plugs to the right side. Twin 6 ½” (16.51 cm) MAN displays flank the wheel with the autopilot to starboard and a searchlight control to port. A panel ahead of and between the two seats has the CZone digital switching screen, the Fusion stereo and the Seakeeper pad. Working fore to aft on the starboard subpanel, we find the Twin Disc joystick, the Humphree Interceptor panels, the Twin Disc digital controls and the windshield wiper knobs. Electrically powered high-backed bucket seats for the captain and a companion adjust fore and aft, for height and recline. Forward to starboard, a hatch provides access to the crawlspace beneath the helm to access the rigging.

Riviera 64 Sports Motor Yacht Main Deck

The Bow. Before we head indoors, let’s take a look at the 64 Sports Motor Yacht’s bow area that is accessible via symmetrical 18” (45.72 cm)-tall side decks capped with stainless steel rails that top out at 37” (93.98 cm). Lounges are configured so guests can sit facing forward or inboard around a table. A bow shade can be erected on carbon-fiber stanchions. To starboard, our test boat had a davit that can lift 771.62 lbs. (350 kg). On the foredeck, the Muir windlass is centrally positioned with three 13” (33.02 cm) cleats and the 133-lb. (60-kg) anchor has a 260’ (79.25 m) chain rode.

The Stern. At the opposite end of the 64 Sports Motoryacht, the full-beam swim platform is 4’ (1.22 m) deep fore to aft and an owner can opt for a hydraulic version. Entryways to the cockpit are on each side with two-piece gates, bottom pieces that swing aft like a conventional door and sections of the caprail are hinged and close over the top of the lower half. The aft deck is left open with more than 90 sq. ft. (8.36 sq. m) of space and the depth is 30” (76.20 cm). In the transom are storage compartments outboard of an aquarium-style livewell. In the deck, the aft outboard corners have rounded cutouts covered in stainless steel above vertically mounted 13” (33.02 cm) cleats to accommodate dock lines without threatening the finish. There’s more storage outboard in the gunwales plus a fish box in the deck. Forward to starboard there’s a bar with a grill and sink to starboard. To port are two refrigerated boxes that can be set to freeze. It’s a single step up to the side decks and to starboard are storage slots for long items like a boat hook or gaff.

The Mezzanine. It’s three 9” (22.86 cm) steps up the mezzanine, an outdoor area protected by the cockpit overhang that is 7’ (2.13 m) above. To starboard is an L-shaped lounge around a table. To port is a lounge that can double its width to form a berth and just ahead is a small cabinet with a drop-in wastebasket on top and a refrigerator. A 32” (81.28 cm) TV in a protective locker folds down from the overhead. The mezzanine can be enclosed with isinglass and has 16,000 BTU reverse-cycle air conditioning.

The Galley. Sliding stainless-steel framed glass doors open for entry to the salon. There’s also a window in the aft bulkhead that tilts aft and up and latches in place to create a more open flow between the mezzanine and the galley. The galley is to starboard and has sinks under removable covers in the Corian countertop. A glass partition keeps spilled liquid from getting onto the salon TV that rises out of a cabinet. The stainless-steel appliance complement includes an induction cooktop, a microwave-convention oven, a full-sized side-by-side refrigerator and a trash compactor. Opposite the galley is a small bar with two refrigerated drawers, a wine chiller and storage built into the base of the flying bridge stairs.

The Salon. Because the galley tends to have higher-traffic, Riviera says it chose vinyl decking for this area. It transitions to carpet when we move forward into the salon. And the owner can opt for all vinyl if he chooses. To port, just abaft the flying bridge stairs is a watertight door that provides access to the side deck. Just ahead is an L-shaped lounge that can convert to a berth, plus an ottoman. Opposite is another lounge wrapping around a high-gloss wood table with expandable hinged sections. Stainless steel rails wrapped in leather run down the overhead. A 50” (127 cm) TV in the base of the cabinet that separates the galley from the salon can be raised electrically for an improved viewing angle. The control panel for the TV and the Fusion stereo are at the aft end of the starboard lounge in a little bit of an awkward location.

Riviera 64 Sports Motor Yacht Accommodations Deck

The VIP. Centrally positioned stairs in the salon naturally took us forward to the VIP stateroom in the 64 Sports Motor Yacht’s bow. It has an island berth that measured 76” (193.04 cm) long by 56” (142.24 cm) wide with 6’5” (1.96 m) of headroom. A 28” flatscreen TV is on the aft bulkhead. Storage is provided in four drawers in the berth base and in a large hanging locker. The en suite head has a separate shower stall, a vessel sink and top-shelf-quality fixtures.

Guest Cabins. Working our way aft, the port guest cabin has two single berths that can be slid together to form a larger one. The starboard quarters have bunk-style over under berths. The two share the day head, which has its own separate shower stall.

Master Stateroom. Aft, the full-beam master stateroom has 6’7” (2.01 m) of headroom and the 76” (193 cm) long, 60” (152.4 cm) wide berth is on the centerline. A 40” (101.6 cm) flatscreen TV is on the aft bulkhead. To starboard, there’s storage in an assortment of drawers and to port beneath a large hullside window that has an opening port. The master en suite has a vessel sink and a separate shower with a rainwater head plus a second wand.

Laundry-Engine Areas

Just off the master is the laundry/utility room that has a separate washer and dryer. A watertight door opens the engine room that can also be accessed from a hatch in the mezzanine. The engines are twin 1,550-hp MAN V12 diesels with V-drives geared at 1.96:1. There are two generators, a 29kw primary unit to starboard and a 13kw backup to port that comes online when demand calls for it. Above each engine are the MAN control boxes and MasterVolt battery chargers. Our test boat was also equipped with a Seakeeper.

Riviera 64 Sports Motor Yacht Performance

The Riviera 64 Sports Motor Yacht has an overall length of 69’8” (21.23 m), a beam of 19’1” (5.80 m) and a draft of 5’6” (1.68 m). With an empty weight of 94,755 lbs. (42,980 kg), 82% fuel and three people on board, we had an estimated test weight of 104,394 lbs. (47,352 kg).

With twin MAN V12 1550 hp diesels linked to straight inboards turning 41” x 51” (104.14 cm x 129.54 cm) five-blade Nibral props wound up to 2350 rpm, our speed topped out at 33.7 knots. Best economic cruise came at 1750 rpm and 21.7 knots. At that speed, the 84.3-gph fuel burn translated into 398.5 nautical miles while holding back 10% of the boat’s 1,717-gallon (6,500-liter) fuel capacity.

The 64 Sports Motor Yacht’s handling was exemplary. When we encountered 4’ to 6’ (1.22 m to 1.83 m) seas, 20 knots became the sweet spot for efficiency and comfort and she showed her bluewater lineage. Around the docks, the joystick is perfectly dialed into the bow and stern thrusters.

Observations

With her bluewater look and feel and her enclosed flying bridge, the 64 Sports Motor Yacht checks all the marks for Riviera’s intended mission for her. She can handle things confidently when the seas kick up and she offers owners and guests a choice of luxurious, comfortable gathering areas. Belowdecks, Riviera will customize the layout to an owner’s desires.