18 March 2021
A flotilla of 90 Riviera luxury motor yachts came together in Auckland Harbour earlier this week.
The sizeable armada, which was one of the biggest assemblies of Riviera vessels in the brand’s 41-year history, came together in support of Emirates Team Zealand, who successfully defended the America’s Cup with a score of 7–3. The gathering was organised by New Zealand representative, R Marine Flagship.
The flotilla saw these Riviera vessels cruise from the Auckland Harbour Bridge on the morning of Saturday 13 March to prime vantage points in front of North Head and Rangitoto Island.
The yachts travelled in a two-by-two configuration, creating two separate convoy lines that were over 2 kilometres in length. Each convoy was led by a Riviera flagship, the 72 Sports Motor Yacht, and tailed by two more.
Riviera has had a long and strong following in New Zealand with more than 600 motor yachts now cruising local waters since the arrival of the first Riviera in 1984.
“It was a wonderful opportunity for Riviera owners to share such a great event with their friends and the Riviera family while watching the fast-paced action unfold,” said R Marine Flagship’s dealer principal Dean Horgan.
“We had an overwhelming response to this special outing for our Riviera motor yacht owners with 90 yachts enthusiastically attending on the day.
Horgan added, “The support and passion for this exclusive event was incredible.”
Riviera’s largest ever gathering of vessels was in February 2020, which saw 106 Riviera luxury motor yachts come together at Awaawaroa Bay, Waiheke Island. The flotilla created a circle measuring 234 metres in diameter.
Leading the Auckland Harbour flotilla aboard their Riviera 72 Sports Motor Yacht, Auspicious, was Peter Baker and Jacci Serville.
“We had Dean Horgan as skipper and the whole experience was just unbelievable. Dean, his wife Suzie, Jacci and I had our families on board. We had 24 passengers and it was a day none of us will ever forget,” said Baker.
“The day was nothing short of epic. It really was mind-blowing really – that sums it up. It was such an exciting day it’s hard to put it into words,” added Serville.
Trailing the convoy on the Riviera 72 Sports Motor Yacht Slainte was Phil and Colleen Kenny.
“My father, aged 84, came out with us and he said it was the most amazing thing of his life,” said Colleen.
“It was just so overwhelming, not only the convoy, the racing and the atmosphere, but having it all on our beautiful Riviera. All our other guests felt the same. We had 23 guests on board and everyone was saying that it was a bucket-list experience, they were all so blown away,” she added.
Riviera owner Rodney Longhurst said he was ecstatic about the number of Riviera’s vessels that took part in the event.
“It is a credit to the hard work of the team at R Marine Flagship for bringing the Riviera family together in such a spectacular way, and what an incredible outcome with the win by Emirates Team New Zealand,” said Longhurst.
“Last weekend was truly amazing for all concerned, reflecting the fantastic efforts by our representatives around the world to deliver outstanding boating experiences for our owners, their family and friends.”