Riviera reveals new flagship 78
In a spectacular international premiere, Riviera unveiled its new flagship, the 78 Motor Yacht.
21 March 2022
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Riviera held an exclusive preview for 11 owners and VIPs at Marina Mirage on the Gold Coast a week before the official launch.
As guests enjoyed sunset cocktails, the titanium-hulled yacht cruised smoothly into view. Katy Perry’s Firework played as she docked, then guests were invited to step on board for their first view.
“You’ve considered every detail. You’ve done the best job ever, and it exceeds my expectations,” one owner commented.
“I have goosebumps. It’s just spectacular,” said another.
Following more than 42 years of evolution and with more than 5,800 yachts launched, the 78 Motor Yacht design represents a new era for Riviera.
According to Riviera Australia owner, Rodney Longhurst the new model delivers a combination of family cruising, entertaining and bluewater passage-making capabilities.
She was designed at Riviera’s Gold Coast headquarters by a team of designers, engineers and craftspeople with superyacht designer Luca Vallebona.
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“We decided to do something that was contemporary but not the showroom styling that you see especially in some designs,” said Vallebona.
“What I love is the way we are mixing our different cultures, Australian and the European. We have found a good balance that will make everyone happy.
“Going forward from the aft saloon deck to the interior of the 78, I think is an incredible space.
“We worked hard as a team to find the right balance in the interior design. We achieved a very good outcome. We have introduced new concepts and they look superb.”
Step aboard
The 78 Motor Yacht offers an enclosed or open bridge deck, including accommodation for up to ten adults in four staterooms and crew quarters.
The teak-laid swim platform provides a three-step design that spans the full width of the platform and can be lowered into the water for swimming and launching water sports equipment.
Two doors are built into the transom. A watertight door on the starboard side for access to the engine room and crew quarters. A larger door on the port side leads to the garage, where owners will find water sports, diving and fishing equipment. A shower is built into the underside of the door.
The semi-enclosed saloon deck, covered entirely by the bridge deck overhang, features teak decking.
Plush lounges lay across the transom, with an L-shaped lounge in the starboard fore quarter around a fold-out teak dining table. There’s also a barbecue centre to port.
Up to eight teak deck chairs can be added around the dining table. A screen across the transom can be lowered for privacy and protection. This deck includes wing doors on either side of the coaming.
Elegant interior
For this yacht, varnished, finely grain-matched high-gloss teak features throughout the interior were selected.
An electric sliding door reveals the interior of the saloon deck with its large U-shaped galley to starboard, positioned equally to serve guests on the aft deck or the saloon. A window slides down electrically to open the galley to guests on the deck aft.
The galley features Caesarstone benchtops with a three-burner induction hob and twin underslung stainless-steel sinks. Twin ovens, a dishwasher, a pair of full-height refrigerators and ample storage drawers and cupboards are also featured.
One of the key design features of the 78 is flush surfaces throughout the interior, including concealed latches on drawers and cupboards. Panelling on fridge and icemaker doors blend with the interior decor.
The saloon space features two lounges; a large L-shaped lounge to starboard and a two-seat lounge along the port side aft of a comprehensive wet bar.
Forward on the starboard side, a watertight door leads to the side deck and, from there, to the entertainer’s foredeck. This versatile space offers a number of entertaining layouts and a Euro sun awning, with the option to carry a tender or jetski and davit.
Owners personalise their yacht from the very beginning of their build, deciding on furniture placement, colours and fabrics. They also decide on which rooms are used for what.
The command centre
An internal timber staircase leads from the port side of the main saloon to the bridge deck, with its dash accommodating four navigation screens. The leather captain’s chair is on the yacht’s centreline with companion chairs on either side.
Immediately to starboard of the captain is an extended console with engine controls. Aft is a leather lounge, ottoman and entertainment unit.
An electrically operated double sliding and stacking glass door connects the bridge interior and exterior, leading to the deck with a bar including twin high seats, a U-shaped lounge and teak fold-out dining table.
The optional day head is in the starboard forward quarter. The coaming on this deck includes port and starboard joysticks for slow-speed manoeuvring.
Luxurious accommodation deck
An elegant, curved timber staircase from the forward end of the main saloon leads to the accommodation deck with four staterooms and three bathrooms.
The full-beam master suite provides an electrically adjustable king-size bed and extended his-and-hers ensuite bathroom.
The VIP guest stateroom, fitted with a queen double bed and twin overhead hatches, is forward with an ensuite.
The port stateroom offers twin beds that can slide together to make a double at the touch of a button. The ensuite can also act as a day head. The starboard stateroom includes two adult single cross-over berths.
Power to cruise
This new motor yacht is powered by twin MAN 2000 turbo diesel engines delivering 2,000 hp, each through Twin Disc Quickshift gearboxes. She includes the Twin Disc Express Joystick System with the integrated station-hold Express Positioning System.
Power options include twin MAN 1550 engines providing 1,550 hp each, or twin MAN 1800 engines that deliver 1,800 hp each.
With 10,200 litres of fuel available, she is capable of cruising for more than 1,000 nautical miles at speeds exceeding 30 knots.
