Another key to this design concept is the ability to get there at over 30 knots, should the need arise, and thus the Sports designation is well earned.

Stepping aboard the first hull gave me quite a surprise because of the aft-deck hardtop that overhangs the stern-located electric barbecue centre, which Riviera has named the Sea Deck. Here, there are lockers beneath the benchtop for water toys – a deep one on port for two paddleboards, while the starboard steps lift to reveal a locker for an underwater scooter or the tender fuel tank. Outboard is room for a 2.7-metre inflatable on chocks, launched via the hydraulic platform.

Opening the solid gate that slides under the aft lounge takes me to what Riviera calls the Sports Deck, which effortlessly combines the best of the inside and outside living aspects of the 4300. Inside are two large L-shaped lounges along with the second food-prep station or wet bar forward, which houses a drawer fridge, ice-maker, sink, storage and benchtop space. There’s also a quality Fusion sound system to get the boat rockin’.

The rear lounge has a stylish handcrafted teak table that folds out to allow formal dining or lowers to become a day bed.

This versatile space is ideal for parents overseeing kids playing in the water, for entertaining, or just sitting back and relaxing.

Or you could turn on the aircon and watch some sport on the drop-down TV – the entire area is weatherproof and finished in synthetic teak.

At the starboard helm, quality finishes include double bucket seats and an ergonomic dashboard with Garmin instrumentation. There are twin 12-inch screens for navigation and another 7-inch screen for monitoring the Volvo Penta engines. The throttles and IPS joystick are outboard, allowing the skipper to lean out the sliding window (or use the remote joystick on the port quarter, as I did) while berthing. The latest throttle controls come with several practical features such as a slow-speed option and a cruise-control button option to adjust RPM. This allows you to travel at a consistent low speed in no-wash zones or just enjoy the environment. There’s also the excellent Volvo Penta Assisted Docking.

Sitting on the comfy bolster seat, the sightlines are clear aft and all around the Sports Deck. Anchoring is also done from here, with a Muir remote and chain counter screen as well. All other systems are managed by the CZone digital switching screen that offers five pre-programmed menu modes. There’s a portside door opposite the helm for easy access to the foredeck or for docking.

The foredeck features a triple sunbed with drink holders and a clever table that folds out from under the separate forward lounge. There’s a cool box for drinks, stereo speakers, USB charge points and the option of a Euro-style awning. Cleating is the usual oversized and quality Riviera standard, with gleaming stainless fairleads on the gunwales.

Below decks is quite a revelation. The central lounge and starboard galley arrangement has a forward master suite that can be closed off when required. The atrium entrance, along with elongated portlights, afford natural light, giving the entire area, including the master, a bright and airy feel. There’s also space for a second cabin aft.

The downstairs saloon has L-shaped seating to port with matching ottoman, along with a bulkhead-mounted LED smart TV and handcrafted drinks cabinet, complete with stemware storage. Opposite is the galley, which has a fridge and freezer drawers, combination convection microwave oven, large sink, twin hob induction cooktop and rangehood. There’s extensive storage above and below the bench for all your pantry and galleyware. You can even add a dishwasher. Forward of the galley is the head with vanity, toilet and separate shower stall. Finished in white gelcoat with timber accents, the area is stylish and easily cleaned. There is a stainless-steel-framed opening porthole.

The forward master uses a wide entrance for casual living when there’s just two of you, but when guests are aboard, it can be easily closed off for full privacy.

The internal volume is ample courtesy of the higher bow and raised foredeck sunpad, so there’s plenty of space for the oversize double island bed that has four-drawer storage beneath. Along with dual cedar-lined wardrobes, there’s good storage for those long weekends on the coast. Natural light and air come from an opening porthole (with locking alarm). Quality finishes are again evident here with solid timber fixtures, sumptuous wool carpets and air-conditioning.

The aft cabin uses the full beam of the 4300 and offers a double to port and king single to starboard. Volume is limited, but the large hull windows with portholes that open to introduce fresh air and natural light make the cabin welcoming.

The fibreglass hull is heavily laid up by hand with a strong keel and comes with an impressive seven-year warranty. Below the waterline, the 4300 uses solid GRP, with foam core above to reduce weight. Stiffness is gained by using monolithic chines and independent compartment bulkheads.

Climbing down to the engine room from the aft deck reveals a fairly busy space, dominated by the twin Volvo Penta D6-IPS600 480-hp engines with single GRP fuel tank in front – easily checked here with sight gauge. I squeeze between the engines to view pod drive transmissions, alongside house battery boxes off to port. I can see most of the service points – filters and switchboards, plus 9.5-kVA Onan generator.

The batteries are sensibly placed above bilge level, as are switches and other components, while the bilges have sufficient depth to cope with a leak should a skin fitting fail. The inboard bilge has space for an optional Seakeeper gyro. Stored power is via LiFePO batteries with an inbuilt safety battery management system. Cameras monitor the anchor, stern and engine room, integrated to the helm displays, plus there’s Sentinel remote monitoring and control. It’s a comprehensive fit-out that gives peace of mind.

Departing a tight marina berth on the 4300 proved drama-free thanks to the fine control from the IPS and joystick control, and the expertise of skipper Dean. This first hull is also fitted with an optional bow thruster, a welcome feature for many skippers who face tight berthing situations, but not really necessary on a smaller pod boat like this 4300.

Clear of the marina, I took the helm as we motored along the Broadwater, thronging with jetskis and myriad other vessels. Clear views from the helm gave me the confidence to accelerate, which brought an instant response from the torquey Volvo Pentas, quickly putting us on the plane at about 16 knots.

I then rounded a cardinal marker for a run south toward the Gold Coast skyline at the 4300’s cruising speed – about 27 knots with 80 percent engine load that used 156 litres per hour – before turning east and out to sea. A small swell met us and put some spray on the wide front windscreens as a reminder we were at sea. Apart from that, the 4300 gave hardly a murmur, so I accelerated to its top speed. At 33.5 knots, the Trim Assist tabs automatically put the bow down to about 10-percent tilt, ensuring clear views forward.

Putting the helm down and the boat into a turn brought on a 20-percent heel, which nicely brought the 4300 hull around in a fairly tight turn for an IPS pod boat, giving a sporty, responsive feel.

Seeking more swell, I criss-crossed our wake, which was done without any groans from the stiff hull, showing off Riviera’s typically sturdy build while giving an overall lively feel.

Skipper Dean offered to let me berth the 4300, so I practised some slow manoeuvres just outside the marina. Engaging the IPS joystick, I put the hull broadside to the 15-knot breeze and moved fore and aft, while also compensating for the tide, which required two simultaneous movements of the joystick by twisting and moving it in the desired direction. Very intuitive.

This then gave me the confidence to back the 4300 into the tight marina berth, a typical scenario for an owner accomplished without drama. In fact, the entire morning aboard the 4300 Sports Express was drama-free, enjoyable and, yes, sporty – its name is indeed well deserved.

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