Family values

But more on that later.

Riviera has clearly considered the design of the 58 inside and out, and inside seems like a good place to start. There are three very well-appointed cabins, the first being a forward VIP with queen-size bed and fantastic storage. Two hull-side windows bring light in, along with two overhead hatches cleverly incorporated so as not to get in the way should you decide to pop your tender on the foredeck. There are also phone chargers and, of course, a decent-sized TV that’s tucked away into the wall.

The guest cabin to port has two single beds, but these do convert to a double. Again, there’s plenty of storage, and a good-size hanging locker – all essential elements whether you’re planning a longer voyage or a shorter cruise that will take in plenty of shoreside stops.

But it’s the midships master cabin that’s most impressive. It starts with a small but perfect coffee/breakfast prep area with power, drawers and a small fridge. There’s a king bed, by width anyway, and 2 metres long, so who’s counting, plus a portside chaise longue that can be replaced with more drawers to mirror the opposite side if you want more storage. Personally, I prefer the chaise and its views through the really decent hull windows, which have opening portholes. With the water whipping by, it’s a sensationally cool place to be when the vessel is underway, if you can escape skipper duties.

The suite also accommodates a 43-inch TV, an ensuite and head. There’s also a walk-through robe, which leads into a utility room (that can also be specced as a crew cabin) forward of the engine room with a washing machine and dryer, and heaps of additional storage. Perfect for real adventure cruising. The owner of the test yacht had loads of rods all carefully packed away here, highlighting the flexibility of this space. You can also access the engine room from here, or lock it up and gain access through the mezzanine area above.

Speaking of, the technical space is decent – although I’m just over 6 foot, so am just a tiny bit too tall to be really comfy wandering around here. But you can see it’s all very workable and tidy, and there have already been some new configurations made on the latest 58s. If we keep to the basics, though,

there are twin Volvo Penta D13 IPS 1350s rated at 1,000 hp (735 kW) each down here, plus two Humphree fin stabilisers, fuel and water tanks, and even more storage.

Back up top, the luxurious saloon could easily seat at least six people at the indoor dinette, which unfolds.

But, as Welch says, it’s the aft mezzanine area, which can be enclosed with clears, that attracts the most use. “Most people tend to hang outside and enjoy being alfresco,” he enthuses. “That’s really what boating life and our usual weather is about.”

But back to the saloon – just in case you’re an inside person, after all. Amenities include side-opening windows to bring the outside in, a 43-inch pop-up TV, and plenty of seating and convertible ottomans/tables.

The galley is also impressive. A Smeg convection microwave oven, a four-burner hotplate, a Fisher & Paykel dishwasher and Corian benchtops in your colour of choice are just for starters. Two Vitrifrigo drawers can operate independently as a fridge or freezer, and there’s also a 120-litre fridge with another fridge/freezer drawer. Oh, and did I mention the dedicated wine fridge?

Also on the portside of the saloon is the side-deck pop door that gives great access to the foredeck cockpit – a place where guests naturally congregate.

There’s seating for about 12, a table and room for a tender – unless you want it on the optional hydraulic platform aft, which can be lowered for launch and recovery. At the aft of the saloon is another covered alfresco area with plenty more seating, one of which folds out to create the perfect day bed for an afternoon siesta. There’s another fridge, of course, and more storage – of course. This area also has a CZone control panel with five modes, such as cruising and dock unattended. Out in the cockpit, aft of the mezzanine, the floor is Permateek – a synthetic teak product that looks like the real deal.

Welch says it’s one of the best on the market in terms of imitation teak with maintenance-free durability, and individual panels that can easily be replaced if damaged. The owner of this 58 does have real teak in the mezzanine, which is nice, but honestly, you really can’t tell the difference – they blend together as one.

There’s also a barbecue, sink, fridge and/ or freezer, an ice-maker and an insulated kill bin/bait box for keen fishers here – once again highlighting the flexibility of adventure the 58 offers. On both starboard and port, there’s a Volvo joystick that makes a total of four stations, ideal for bringing the boat alongside the marina or jetty. Shorepower lockers on either side are 15- and 32-amp.

Up on the flybridge, there are plenty of handrails – and they were needed a couple of times on our trial. In fact, a couple more would be good in the helm area – once you leave your chair it’s a bit of a distance to the next handhold, as I found out on one occasion.

The Volvo IPS package includes three 22- inch screens, Garmin bow thrusters, spotlight control, the Humphree engine monitoring system and trim tab control stabilisers, Volvo docking joystick, Garmin navigation control and FLIR maritime thermal cameras. Two black helm chairs are electronically adjustable, and the skipper will never be lonely with seating for at least another six people within the flybridge and more in another covered fly cockpit aft, where you could also enjoy a late brunch, lazy lunch, afternoon aperitifs, decadent dinner or a cocktail to close the day. The starboard aft fly area hosts a fourth remote helm station, perfect for backing up on game fish.

Out on the water, the sea for our trial could best be described as sloppy, with the waves and swell not coming from anywhere in particular but coming nonetheless. But, as we rode through the seaway humps, I started to put together what I’d seen alongside in terms of this vessel’s lines that are bluff, yet sort of sinewy at the same time.

With a bow that flares out and upwards, the penny was starting to drop in terms of her ride. Even though we were coming down off some 8-foot-plus rollers at around 14 knots, the foredeck remained dry and so did the windshield in the flybridge. She’s an extremely dry boat, whether we were clipping along at 20 knots or when the speed was backed off and we were in the slop.

Of course, the stabilisers must have been doing overtime below, wiggling around in the brine trying to keep us upright, but throughout the whole sea trial there was very little over the bow, which is a fabulous design coup.

What’s more, once we were underway, you can see the reason for Welch’s nonchalance on the marina jetty. The 58 handles everything with grace and almost intuition.

The stabilisers were kept busy but the ride was gentle, with just a few rolls here and there out on the Pacific.

And that, right there, is this boat’s essence. Riviera’s 58 Sports Motor Yacht is all about grace and luxury. Sports and adventure are one thing, but then so is doing it in style – and, with this vessel, you can finally have it both ways. Perhaps it’s time to join the family.

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