Being a trailblazer to continuously set new trends and consistently dominate the market as a style icon worldwide, Riva is an undisputed myth of pop culture. Blending all these features perfectly is a unique talent in the luxury boating industry sector in which Riva has been practicing and evolving for 172 years.
The new Riva 88’ Florida is the spiritual successor of the Riva Bahamas - the first model entirely designed by Mauro Micheli, who is responsible for the entire Riva range today. The yacht’s name also draws inspiration from the exotic name of its predecessor to represent the new horizon of this iconic brand of the boating industry worldwide.
This project, which results from the close collaboration between the Product Strategy Committee, Ferretti Group’s Marketing Department, Mauro Micheli and Sergio Beretta of Officina Italiana Design (the firm that designs the entire Riva range), and Advanced Yacht Technology & Design (AYT&D), the Group’s research, development, and style center, is a revolutionary yacht which perfectly blends an open and a coupé model into one single vessel, offering owners a range of solutions to enjoy their passion for the sea.
The Riva 88’ Florida is 26.70 m (87 ft. 7 in.) in overall length and 6.20 m (20 ft. 4 in.) full beam. It is slated to have hull # 1 completed and launched by the end of 2014, with its official world première scheduled in the first months of 2015. The 88’ Florida features a cutting-edge innovation with an exclusive Ferretti Group patent installed on this new project for the very first time. This innovative solution provides top-of-the-range elegance and design, perfectly matched with the utmost safety and user-friendly capabilities.
The hull of the first 88’ Florida will be presented in Regal Silver, a light shade of grey which has been used for the first time this year on Riva’s new flagship, the 122’ Mythos. This color further enhances the slender lines of the new model, creating a contrast with the Titanium Grey of the large continuous glazing on the hull, and the dark grey of the wide windshield and the roll bar on the main deck, that uniquely characterizes the innovative design of the entire external profile.
“Whenever we develop a new project, we are faced with a tough challenge - states Alberto Galassi, Ferretti Group’s CEO. - But when this challenge regards a yacht under the Riva brand - let me use a metaphor from the soccer world -, it’s like playing a World Cup final. The Riva 88’ Florida, whose construction is just about to start, is the embodiment of excellence, which Ferretti Group always sets as its minimum goal, striving to build new yachts that will truly make a difference on the market. And excellence, for Riva, is the standard. Even when choosing the name for this new yacht we decided to aim for excellence, by going back, after a careful evaluation, to the brand’s centuries-old tradition. Hence the name Florida: a name that reminds of a product that met with roaring success. Because Riva will be able to remain the icon of worldwide yachting only by going back to its origins and history”, added Galassi.
“The idea of the convertible hard top is a relevant success from both a technical and a stylistic point of view”, explained Riva designer Mauro Micheli. “Thanks to the collaboration with AYT&D, the hard top has turned into an element that is invisible from the side, which can display its major function covering the outer living area without affecting the overall design of the yacht in the least. This system results from the match between the technical development of materials and movement and the stylistic research for an element which can enhance the personality of this yacht”.
“The Riva Bahamas was the first yacht I imagined and designed on my own - added Micheli. It is a yacht from the 90s, but which is still appreciated today. I like to consider the Riva 88’ Florida as the new Bahamas. I decided to use some of the vintage materials of the 80s, wood in particular, especially for the interiors. I chose peach skin elm wood to convey a soft and cozy feeling”.
The Convertible Top patented system
Convertible Top is the name of the innovative system designed and developed by AYT&D in collaboration with the technical partners of Ferretti Group Besenzoni Spa and Centro Stile Srl. It is an exclusive patent of the Group, used for the first time on the Riva 88’ Florida, which turns this model into a multifunctional yacht, “convertible” because it can be transformed into an open or a coupé with one single and easy movement. The Convertible Top offers three different functions into one single system, thanks to the function that handles the aerodynamic hard top into three different positions.
This option is made possible by the design of the hard top itself, aerodynamic and elegant at the same time. Enhanced by wood aesthetic elements, the top is perfectly integrated into the shape of the deckhouse covering the forward dinette when the yacht is in the open mode, along with the windshield and roll bar profile, to which it is hooked up when the yacht is in the coupé mode. An electro-hydraulic pantograph driving two pairs of arms, one pair for each wall, hooked to the top itself, ensures the hard top movement. A built-in cover in the deckhouse, leaving the unique Riva design unchanged when the new model is in the open mode and the hard top is put back in the dedicated storage, hides the arms and the mechanism. Furthermore, in the coupé mode, once the hard top has been hooked to the windshield and the roll bar covering the cockpit, the two pairs of mechanical arms can be detached and put back in the lockers. For a complete closure of the cockpit, at the level of the helm station, the side openings can be closed completely by transparent shadow makers.
Besides these two functions, a third intermediate one can be used when the yacht is anchored or moored. Indeed, once it has been hooked to the mechanical arms, the hard top turns into a hard Bimini top, of approximately 12 sqm., covering the fore dinette and offering wide shading for the utmost sun protection of the guests.
The Convertible Top can assure perfect reliability in the two main positions even when the 88’ Florida cruises at its maximum speed, and with any weather condition. This is possible due to the fact that the hard top, in both modes, is tightly hooked to the deckhouse or to the windshield and roll bar by two pairs of latches, which can be handled by an electro-hydraulic mechanism and is designed for this specific locking function.
EXTERNAL AREAS
The new Riva 88’ Florida at the extreme bow, just behind the technical area of the anchoring systems, features an area fitted with two sun pads, in addition to the dinette with a large C-shaped sofa.
A wide layered glass windshield protects the front and the sides of the helm station and the wide cockpit, with a single central glazing component, completed by two circular side glazing areas within a polished stainless steel framework. This area is further enhanced by the large varnished steel roll bar, towering the central part of the cockpit from one wall to the other, connected to the sides of the windshield by two steel supports. The technical devices are installed on the roll bar.
The layout of the engine room and of onboard equipment has been completely renewed, to support a new organization of the stern area, for the handling system of tender and jet ski. New design solutions offer more opportunities for leisure activities and, at the same time, make tender and water toy launching maneuvers easier. Once the hatch has been lifted, a large garage, only 20 cm (2.36 in.) above the sea surface, can house a tender of approximately 4 m (13.10 ft) - upon request, the shipyard supplies a Williams 385 - with a jet ski to the side. Launching and haulage are extremely easy, since the central part of the aft bathing platform can be lowered by over 1 meter (3.28 ft) under the sea surface, slightly separating from the yacht due to a pantograph movement. The lifting and lowering of tender and jet ski are made even easier by two stainless steel slides driving the handling.
Built-in stairs, to the sides of the hatch, allow one to gain access to the cockpit, which can be reached from the dock through a foldable gangway starboard side, fitted with a wide sun pad to the stern and a sofa facing the cruising direction and looking onto a wide area which can be furnished with free-standing elements. Two large storage cabinets are located on both sides of the cockpit, delimiting this area from the side wall walkways. Opening the port side cabinet, one can access the under deck crew area, fitted with a galley and dinette, separate day head, a cabin with two bunk beds and a second service cabin, with separated washing machine/drier upon request, and a third foldable bed for the third member of the crew can be fitted.
The central area of the cockpit is furnished with a wide dining and living area: the perfect ambiance to sip a drink, enjoy lunch or dinner staring at the sky and stars, or sheltered by the hard top.
A linear sofa starboard side is located in front of the dining area, fitted with a second L-shaped sofa close to the table. Four free-standing foldable chairs complete the furnishing of this area, allowing to host up to eight guests comfortably seated. The large central helm station, featuring a three-seat driving position, is fitted with a chaise-longue to the aft left, the ideal continuation of the sofa where one can relax without losing any of the cruising thrill.
INTERIORS
The interior deck layout of Riva 88’ Florida features four cabins and four en-suite heads. A salon also displaying the function of a covered dinette characterizes this area. The style of interior decorations can be defined as vintage, reinterpreted in a more contemporary mood, a style concept which has inspired the choices by Officina Italiana Design, and of the designers and the architects of the Ferretti Group, aiming at recalling on the new project many elements of other successful models by Riva, in particular those of the 80s and 90s.
On the 88’ Florida this feeling is perfectly conveyed through a careful choice of the materials and colors used. Wood, steel, leather and lacquered inserts are the materials that have been selected for on-board decorations. A warm and sophisticated elm wood has been chosen with the new peach skin finishing, an innovative treatment providing the wood with a fabric-like feeling to the touch. Many Foglizzo leather inserts are wisely matched to the wood, with warm shades of honey and wheat. The decoration is completed by several white and blue lacquered and stainless steel elements. In particular, the choice of Blue Majestic, a very dark shade of blue, used for many interior and external details like the dashboard of the helm station, highlights the renewed classic style characterizing the decorations of the 88’ Florida. All ceilings are white, with built-in LED beams to light up the different areas.
From the stairs to the right of the helm station it is possible to access the dinette with an elegant handrail featuring stainless steel horizontal bars and struts, leaving an open view of the area. The open space is furnished with an L-shape sofa to the right with a coffee table in the center, while the galley is located on the port side wall, featuring state-of-the-art appliances on three sides and open towards the dinette. An elegant and useful table completes the furnishing, together with two high fixed stools. The TV station is located to portside.
The master suite is located amidships towards the stern, in the utmost privacy. Three steps with steel edges and a second elegant handrail with steel horizontal bars and struts, leaving an open view of the bed and of the wide port side glazing, lead to the cabin. The full-beam master suite is incredibly well lit, well soundproofed, and offers spectacular views of the ocean.
The bed, lengthwise fitted, has a double walk-in wardrobe in front, divided into desk and vanity area, towered by a TV screen. The decor is completed by lacquered blue doors of the under bed storage and of the wardrobes, all featuring peach skin elm wood. The head is located along the starboard side of the cabin, featuring a separated shower, a central area with sink, and an area with bathroom fixtures.
Going towards the bow, after the living area, there is a central lobby giving access to the other areas for the guests. Port side there is a very wide double cabin, similar to a VIP cabin in terms of volume and furnishing, with private head and separated shower. The second guest cabin with twin beds is located starboard, with dedicated head and round shower, closed by Plexiglas doors. This is also the day head, which can be accessed through a second door amidships, on the lobby. At the extreme bow, lit up by a doubled wall glazing, there is the VIP double cabin, with double walk-in wardrobe, private head and separated shower.
ENGINES AND PERFORMANCE
This new project by Riva features excellent performance, with a choice opportunity of the engines by MTU. As the standard version, the 88’ Florida is fitted with two MTU 16V 2000 M93, 2435 mhp, which allow reaching a maximum speed of 38.5 and a cruising speed of 34 knots, with a range of 315 and 340 nautical miles, respectively. As an alternative option, as in the case of hull number 1, the 88’ Florida can be fitted with two MTU 16V 2000 M94, 2638 mhp. With these engines this new project by Riva can reach a maximum speed of 40.5 knots and a cruising speed of 36 knots, with a range of 300 and 325 nautical miles, respectively (preliminary data).