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Riva’s First Superyacht

• By Diane M. Byrne
• Updated: July 28, 2020

In the early 1950s, a young man enthralled with his father’s boatbuilding company took over the family business. As sometimes happens when new generations step in, he wasn’t content to do the same thing his father, or his grandfather, had done. Strong ambition persuaded him to design and build pleasure boats, as opposed to the racing and commercial boats of the shipyard’s past. What’s more, he continuously wanted to outdo himself, focusing on creating motoryachts that were more than boats, as well as status symbols.

While the young Carlo Riva succeeded in all of this after taking the helm of Riva, there’s perhaps no better example of his driving ambition than the period from the mid-1960s into the 1970s, when he launched three limited series of motoryachts.

Not only were their steel hulls a marked change from the glistening mahogany of their sisterships, they were also far larger. The Atlantic series, at 88 feet, and the Caravelle series, at 74 feet, were astoundingly large for their eras. Between their style and the fact that they were faster than many other yachts at the time, they helped Riva find several clients.

More than 50 years later, the spirit of these series lives on with the Riva 50-Meter. It’s the first model in the Riva Superyachts Division and the second Riva constructed entirely of aluminum. At 160 feet, 9 inches length overall, she’s larger than any previous launch from the boatbuilder, but she upholds many of the same principles her predecessors established.

“She is full of personality, exactly like any other Riva yacht,” says Sergio Beretta, CEO and co-founder of Officina Italiana Design, the studio responsible for every modern-era Riva. “It is essentially a true connoisseur’s boat. In a nutshell, it is chic, and that is the whole logic behind it.”

Mauro Micheli, chief designer and co-founder of Officina Italiana Design, agrees. “It is certainly a boat with a very different character to its siblings” because of the LOA and four decks, he explains, “but references to Riva’s signature styling are a constant.”

That styling is well-known and detailed. For instance, Hull No. 1, Race, shows off varnished mahogany and stainless-steel handrails, complementing the metallic painted surfaces. Even the yacht’s wing stations have these handrail details. The richness of the high-gloss wood serves as a reminder that “artisanal craftsmanship is at the very core of each project,” Micheli asserts. “The handrails are the fil rouge [French for common thread] of the yacht.”

Further to the styling’s influences, Micheli mentions the Caravelle line, conceived in 1964. Its uncluttered, simple elegance inspired the team working on the 50-Meter. Though more angular than today’s yachts, the Caravelle had long lines and a proud bow—two timeless characteristics.

“They are the kind of lines that don’t necessarily set out to dazzle but still capture attention with their sheer simplicity,” Micheli says.

For the Riva 50-Meter, the studio focused on classic yet sleek lines. “Race has a great personality,” he says. “She has three straight lines that define each level. The design is clean. We refuse overworked, elaborate and redundant lines.”

Amid these lines are some of the owner’s particular requests. “He wanted lots of light and to enjoy the external panoramas,” Micheli says. While every Riva—indeed, every large yacht—these days incorporates large glass ports, Race’s owner felt it was especially important for the 50-Meter to have them, notably along the main and upper decks. Additionally, in an interesting twist on an indoor-outdoor area, the covered alfresco dining area aft on the upper deck has slide-open glass to each side.

In terms of the open alfresco areas, meanwhile, the owner wanted a front-row seat for when he was approaching shorelines. This explains why Race has cozy seating and viewing spots at the bow and up on the sun deck. Yet another request outside, for similar reasons: a walk-around hot tub and sun pads aft on the upper deck. The owner envisioned standing back here as Race entered a marina and tied up stern-to.

Inside is a relatively customary arrangement, with accommodations for 10 to 12 guests in five staterooms: a main-deck master and four guest staterooms below. However, the owner did request that the galley go belowdecks, with a dumbwaiter connecting it to each of the upper levels. The relocation of the galley permitted more room for the master stateroom.

With Hull No. 2 in the 50-Meter series under construction, Riva is poised to make its mark in the superyacht sector. Larger models are coming too, with the biggest being the 90-Meter (295 feet).

And while Carlo Riva didn’t live to see the 50-Meter launch, having died at age 95 in 2017, there’s no doubt he’d be proud. “The first time that engineer Carlo Riva saw the renderings of the first Riva 50-Meter mega-yacht, he said, ‘I’d like to try and cruise on her,’” Micheli recalls.

Perhaps the once-determined heir to the family business is doing that in spirit.

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Exclusive: On board Riva's first 30m 102 Corsaro Super

The refinement of an existing model created a 30-metre Riva with an elongated, sinuous profile and spectacular outside spaces. Risa Merl experiences the sun-dappled glamour of the 102 Corsaro Super

Perhaps the only thing more glamorous than lounging on the aft sunpad of a Riva runabout while you soak up the Riviera sunshine is doing just that but on a much bigger, more opulent Riva yacht. The new 30-metre Riva 102 Corsaro Super is the first of the superyacht-sized Rivas to introduce an open-air lounge at water level, giving owners a place to lounge by the water’s edge. It’s just one of the design elements that respond to the requests of Riva owners, along with an updated interior layout and improved sound-dampening systems. Add to this a modern exterior design with massive windows, and the 102 Corsaro Super does a fine job of standing out from the pack.

The 102 Corsaro Super is a fibreglass planing yacht with carbon fibre elements. She is an evolution of the 100 Corsaro, introduced in 2017, of which 25 units were built. The 102 is slightly longer than her predecessor, at 30.24 metres versus the 100’s 29.9 metres. Back when the 100 was conceived, the brief was to design a flybridge Riva yacht under 24 metres. “With the 102 Corsaro Super we aimed to further improve the yacht and the experience on board, meeting the needs of our owners, who increasingly desire greater contact with the sea,” says Stefano de Vivo, Ferretti Group CCO. “We focused on increasing the proximity to the sea, the perception of openness to the outside by enlarging the windows in the owner’s cabin and the saloon – and the superstructure was streamlined in favour of more glass.”

Though the Riva 50Metri , from the Riva Superyacht Division, has a beach club, it is only revealed by folding down the transom. The outdoor lounge set-up seen on the 102 Corsaro Super is totally new and gives a nod to the classic Riva day boats. It is fully integrated at the stern, with a large sofa on the transom inviting guests to lay out, while stairs on either side lead up to the main deck. Yet it’s only a few steps away from the aft main deck, so the two exterior living areas blend seamlessly, allowing guests to feel part of the action whether they are at water level or taking in the views from the aft deck above. Riva managed to create this new outdoor living area while still retaining the garage, which can fit a Williams Dieseljet 445 tender. When it’s time to launch the tender, the transom lifts up and the aft swim platform slides down below the waterline, flooding the garage. One of the challenges of this project, according to the Riva team, was designing this new stern and garage area, which contains a tender of more than four metres, a Jet Ski, Seabobs and also the swim ladder.

The new stern design doesn’t just add to the yacht’s useful amenities but has reshaped the look of the exterior, creating an elongated and sinuous profile. The new stern was flattened and lowered to make way for the terrace. “This new architectural element enhances the yacht’s overall impact, lending it an even sleeker, more graceful profile,” says Mauro Micheli, chief designer at Officina Italiana Design. “Achieving this was no easy task because we had to harmonise several very different elements to maintain a sense of stylistic balance.”

The design house, which was also responsible for the 100 Corsaro as well many other Rivas, saw this not only as a chance to update a current model but as a challenge to tie in new RINA rules, add to the yacht’s livability and modernise the exterior. “The yard wanted a restyling of a much-loved model, the Riva 100’ Corsaro, but the fact that RINA set new parameters for boats under 24 metres [the 102 Corsaro has a hull length of 23.97 metres but an LOA of 30.24 metres] led us to do more important thinking than just refreshing the lines of a model,” says Sergio Beretta, CEO of Officina Italiana Design . “Tackling new issues was thus the cue to look for new design solutions, especially in the aft area. That said, these subtle modifications have produced an entirely new craft.”

Officina Italiana Design kept the severity, sportiness and elegance of the 100 Corsaro’s lines, but refined their signature styling cues to give the exterior a cleaner look. The hard top of the flybridge, for instance, is now painted completely black, compared to the 100 which had more silver in the superstructure. “By approaching it from an artistic perspective, we created the impression of a brushstroke of dark colour on the architectural element that melds with the guard rail, without changing its shape,” says Micheli. “This changes visual perception, creating a fluid look that completely freshens the boat’s line.” They also lowered the bow slightly, which adds a feeling of forward movement to the exterior. Because the bow slopes forward, this creates an infinity view from the flybridge as you gaze out at the water ahead. To optimise the routes on board, the 102 introduces a side passage from the flybridge that leads towards a huge stepped bow lounge, with more seating.

Another factor the design team thought long and hard about was how to draw more light into the master cabin whilst keeping the impact on the yacht’s aesthetics to a minimum. To do this, the designers lowered and enlarged the hull windows on the main deck forward. “This produces a knife-shaped window with the dual role of drawing more light into the interior and adding a new styling cue to the exterior design,” says Micheli. It also creates a signature motif that keeps the wide-body, flybridge yacht sleek and streamlined.

This presented a challenge to the naval architects to build a superstructure that could support the largest windows found on a Riva yacht yet. The aim was that the owner, even from the privacy of their own room, could feel at one with the sea. “Never before has one of our yachts had such large windows in the owner's cabin,” says de Vivo. “In order to achieve this, we had to redesign the superstructure to suit our design.” It was also necessary to do a type approval to evaluate the design and test the performance, checking the strength and fit of the glass.

Like the 100 Corsaro, the owner’s cabin is full beam with a full beam en suite forward.

Riva inverts the typical layout and has the guest corridors running along the port side of the vessel and the crew corridors to starboard. The 102 also shook up the layout seen on previous Riva yachts, presenting a new option for the main deck, which sees the dining area aft with a saloon forward. In order to make all of the changes seen on the 102 Corsaro, Riva interviewed crew and owners of previous Corsaros and asked what they’d like to see, and one of the pieces of feedback was a wider dining area with better access to the aft deck, which this layout option speaks to. Of course, owners can opt for the more traditional main saloon layout as well. “The interior layout can be customised quite a lot,” says Riva sales manager, Cristian Boni. “We did a previous Corsaro with only one stateroom! We are really a boutique shipyard, only producing an average of 60 hulls per year, including the small boats. Like a Hermes handbag, if you want to produce high-quality, it must be this way.”

Gleaming wood, supple leather and perfectly polished stainless steel are the ingredients at the heart of every Riva, with a good dose of Italian glamour. When Riva started building bigger yachts than its iconic runabouts, these elements, of course, were at the forefront of their design. In the 102 Corsaro Super, the designers utilised these same materials, but changed some of the ways they were used, opting for a lighter look with more glass. In the main saloon a glass and stainless steel stairwell opens onto the lower deck foyer below. Meanwhile, in the master, steel rods are used to form an unusual headboard over the bed. The designers also incorporated marble not only in the bathrooms, but on the main deck, where a frame of Nero Marquina divides the dining and living areas. The built-in furnishings are complemented by the freestanding pieces selected from top-notch Italian brands, such as Poliform, Minotti and B&B Italia inside, and Talenti, Paola Lenti and Kettal outside. Decorative items and soft goods come from the likes of Loro Piana and Ice Leather, with Besana carpet.

Overall, the interior decor is rich and chic with only a handful of colours and materials used, including chrome metal finishes, matt Canaletto walnut joinery, black and white leather panels and black back-lacquered glass. “The richness comes from the materials used – it’s only wood, stainless steel and leather. A few materials, but used well, so the longer you stay on board, the more details are revealed,” says Boni, who points out that stainless steel is an especially dear material these days – the price has gone up 300 per cent in just the past year.

In the standard version, the yacht is equipped with twin 2,435hp MTU 16V 2000 M96 engines, allowing the 102 Corsaro to achieve a maximum speed of 26 knots and cruise at 23 knots. Alternatively, a pair of 2,638hp MTU 16V 2000 M96L engines can be installed to reach a maximum speed of 28 knots and 24 knots cruising. This speed allows her to zip along the coast to that perfect anchorage in no time. Based on owner requests, Riva also paid more attention to sound dampening and insulation so the yacht is quieter and more comfortable while underway.

The improvements and innovations found on the 102 Corsaro Super certainly up-level the Corsaro offering while keeping the Riva brand appeal. “The 102 Corsaro Super is a yacht undoubtedly created in the Riva tradition – you can feel it immediately,” says Beretta. “We succeeded in retaining the Corsaro’s elegance while crafting redesigned lines, more outdoor living and a sophisticated interior that have turned it into a completely new boat.”

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The first 50m superyacht of the Riva Superyachts Division in Ancona

The vessel has been optimised to be lightweight yet resilient….

With a steel displacement hull and aluminium superstructure, the first 50m superyacht of the Riva Superyachts Division in Ancona, turns the dreams of Carlo Riva, creator of the Caravelle and Atlantic motor yacht series back in the ’60s and ‘70s, into a reality. 50m, Race , is an heir of these yachts made of steel, which becomes clear when looking at its aesthetics, style, and innovation in more detail.

Named Race by its owner, who completely customised the interior layout and décor, the Riva 50 Metri has a maximum beam of 9m and can accommodate 10 guests and 9 crew members. Created by the Riva Superyachts Division engineering team in Ancona, the yacht was built in collaboration with the Ferretti Group’s Strategic Product Committee and Officina Italiana Design. The firm established by Mauro Micheli and Sergio Beretta - which exclusively designs the entire Riva fleet - has created both the interior and exterior design.

The concept behind the design of the Riva 50 Metri is intended to be an all-encompassing experience of the sea and open spaces – a trend that is prominent now within the wellness industry. The design choices are a blend of practicality and aesthetics, making the most of the comfort of the on-board exterior areas and offering views of the coast or horizon.

Riva 50 Metri enables the owner to have a sailing experience with high standards of comfort and safety. There are many components that evoke the Riva tradition, such as the tarting dominant mahogany wood that characterises the gunwale and covers all the rails and the lifelines of the outside decks, creating continuity with the interiors.

Riva’s heritage can also be found in the aquamarine waterline, and the fife rails enriched with steel elements, as well as the full custom bollards and moorings which are customised with the Riva logo.

The owner chose mostly freestanding furniture in order to modulate the outdoor environments according to need, to provide added flexibility for guests when on board. To optimise the weight, all the furniture and ceilings are made with a construction process that uses the material Nomex®, which is employed in the aerospace industry due to its extremely lightweight and its resistance to temperature changes as well as wear and tear.

The Riva 50 Metri has a gross tonnage of less than 500 GRT, yet offers the comfort and liveability of larger superyachts. The space has been optimised to give the owner the maximum privacy and dedicated pathways, while at the same time ensuring that the crew can move freely on-board to perform everyday operations across all five decks.

The first unit of the Riva 50 Metri is powered by twin MTU 8V 4000 M63 engines with 1000 kW output at 1800 rpm, with propeller propulsion, enabling a top speed of up to 15.5 knots and a cruising speed of 14 knots.

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Watch Riva’s Biggest Superyacht Yet Slide Into the Water

The new 164-foot superyacht is a portrait of simplicity, elegance and open space., geri ward's most recent stories.

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The Caravelle was a limited-edition yacht designed by Carlo Riva in the early 1960s. Simple but graceful, the yacht featured a sweeping foredeck, pilothouse at the stern and, years ahead of its time, a fold-down stern that revealed one of the world’s first beach clubs. A half-century later, contemporary Riva Yachts has used the vintage Caravelle as rough inspiration for the yard’s first 164-foot superyacht . Race , as the yacht’s owner has christened it, was launched last weekend at the Riva shipyard in Ancona, Italy. The ties to the older Caravelle are more symbolic than practical, given the new Riva’s technical and design prowess.

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In profile, the designers kept the lines simple and clean, with the long foredeck, central superstructure and aggressive prow. The single image of the launch shows an abundance of exterior social spaces, from the foredeck to the flybridge to the rear cockpit, where owners can entertain guests. Race clearly has the DNA of more recent, smaller Rivas like the 88 Domino Super. This new Riva has presence, and its simple look also shows elegance.

“I’d like to try and cruise on her,” said Carlo Riva, then 92, when he saw the first drawings of the new design in 2014. The maestro of modern yachting praised the design of Mauro Micheli and Sergio Beretta, the brand’s exclusive designers, who have pushed into new territory with this model.

“This yacht is a huge leap forward for Riva and the world of yachting, besides being an amazing sight on the water,” says Alberto Galassi, CEO of Ferretti Group, during the launch. “Our Riva Superyachts Division has built the biggest Riva ever made while enhancing the brand’s signature stylistic excellence.”

Race will officially debut at the Venice Boat Show in June and will be displayed at the Monaco Yacht Show in September.

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NEW RIVA YACHTS FOR SALE

Allied Marine is the exclusive US dealer for new Riva Yachts for sale. Browse current-year models as well as preorder reservations for yachts scheduled to be built in 2022 and 2023. View all Riva Yachts for Sale . Allied Marine strives to educate prospective buyers on the world-class quality and performance of our new Riva yachts for sale. Learn more about the incredible origins of the Riva brand below. 

A FAMILY LEGACY SINCE 1842 In 1842 in Laglio, Italy, on the banks of Lake Como, a visiting fisherman admired young Pietro Riva’s skill in boat repair. He invited Pietro to Sarnico, Italy to repair two of the fisherman’s own damaged boats. This is the humble birth of what would become Riva’s legendary history.

Soon Pietro started building fishing boats in addition to repairing them. He also married and built a family. His son, Ernesto Riva, learned the trade and became a skilled carpenter, but Ernesto saw motorboats as the future, not fishing boats.

MOTORBOATS AND SPEEDBOAT RACING EMERGE In 1881 Ernesto began his own family, and in the meantime was commissioned to build the first motorboat. Its success encouraged him to design and build motorboats of his own, some of which were used to transport tourists to Montisola, the largest lake island in Europe.

When Ernesto was killed in a boatyard accident in 1907, his son, Serafino Riva, stepped in to run the family business. Aware of the technology and attitude shifts occurring after the turn of the century, Serafino devoted his time to building leisure craft instead of his father’s transport boats. European inboard engines and outboard engines from the United States revolutionized the construction of boats, and Serafino decided to dedicate the company's new Riva yachts for sale to the new sport of motorboat racing.

Serafino showcased Riva’s excellent performance, which convinced the most famous pilots of the time to drive Rivas in the speedboat races. The races, which were rapidly gaining in popularity, became an excellent way to promote leisure boats in general, even outside of the racing region. In fact, in 1928, Riva participated in Milan’s first Nautical Exhibition. Riva was part of virtually all motorboat events held between 1931 and 1939, the year when racing activities were suspended in Italy.

THE FAMOUS RIVA RUNABOUT In the mid-1930s, the world’s most famous mahogany runabout (still instantly recognizable today) was designed and built by Riva. Production of these yachts was never interrupted, even when demand declined during the Second World War.

After the war, Riva designed and popularized more speedboats, such as the “Sea Spider” which evolved into the “ Corsaro . ” The new sport of water skiing became popular, and of course, Riva yachts were right there, meeting the needs of water skiers throughout the Mediterranean .

ENTERING THE MODERN ERA In 1949, Carlo Riva purchased the yard from his father, Serafino. In 1956, Carlo began a decades-long collaboration working with Giorgio Barilani, a boat designer and architect exclusive to Riva.

By the late 1960s, Riva boats became synonymous with the rich and famous. Owning a Riva was a sign of style and elegance. In Saint-Tropez, actors, actresses, heirs, and heiresses partied onboard these stylish yachts all night long. Sophia Loren purchased at least two Riva yachts, and Rivas were frequently showing up in the movies. Because of their timeless design and top-quality material choices, Riva yachts became instant classics that still hold their prestige more than six decades later.

OWNERSHIP CHANGES In 1991, the last Riva family member to work at the company left shortly after Rolls Royce purchased 100 percent of Riva's shares. But in 2000, Riva became Italian-owned once again when the Ferretti Group acquired the yard.

Ferretti relaunched the product and the brand, with a primary focus once again on what made Riva great: Quality, design, and style.

As part of the Ferretti Group, Allied Marine is proud to be the exclusive dealer for all new Riva Yachts for sale along the East Coast in the United States.

RIVA YACHTS BY MODEL

RIVA ISEO The Riva mystique lives on in her name, but this refined 27-foot runabout is more modern and current than ever before. While her lines and design are as smooth and sensuous as ever, in typical Riva flair, Iseo can also claim some of the most cutting-edge technologies. The end product is a blend of history and innovation that will enchant everyone who encounters her. Speak to a Riva Yacht Sales Specialist for details or browse Riva ISEO for sale here .

RIVA 33' AQUARIVA SUPER The Aquariva Super was designed to carry on the legend's narrative, and she has always done it in style. She has been designated as the heir to the renowned Aquarama, and she keeps all her forefather's timeless charm while adding a new modern touch with her cutting-edge high-tech trappings. The fine fittings and details provide unrivaled comfort with absolute elegance, resulting in a cruising experience of stunning uniqueness. Speak to a Riva Yacht Sales Specialist for details or browse Riva Aquariva for sale here .

RIVA ANNIVERSARIO It’s an Aquariva, it’s an Aquarama, its history transformed into future and beauty: Riva Anniversario is an incredible combination of details and inspiration drawn from both these boats. Speak to a Riva Yacht Sales Specialist for details or browse Riva Anniversario for sale here .

RIVA 38' RIVAMARE Rivamare is a jewel in the Riva crown that shines alongside other yachting masterworks in the brand’s oeuvre, like Aquariva Super and Aquarama. With her sinuous, flowing lines, this feat of engineering and style is a fusion of legend, modernity, and sheer class – a seductive, sporty motorboat that charms from the very first glance. Speak to a Riva Yacht Sales Specialist for details or browse Rivamare for sale here .

RIVA 48' DOLCERIVA There are boats that tell a familiar tale, and then there are boats that write a totally new one, such as the Dolceriva, whose fundamentally rethought design and aesthetic usher in a new chapter for the old Sarnico yard. Riva's most recent inspired innovation is a 48' open yacht designed for a luxurious on-board lifestyle. Speak to a Riva Yacht Sales Specialist for details or browse Dolceriva for sale here .

RIVA 56’ RIVALE Rivale, at 56', is an unrivaled open cruiser of immaculate vigor and sporting flair, thanks to certain unique and creative design characteristics. Peerless creativity, masterful workmanship, and cutting-edge technology combine to create a boat that quickly bowls over all comers. She is ideal for seaside vacations and memorable day excursions to experience the Riva legend. Speak to a Riva Yacht Sales Specialist for details or browse 56’ Rivale for sale here .

RIVA 66’ RIBELLE The 66' Ribelle’s brazen, rebellious nature is obvious from her name, but that's only the beginning. This gorgeous yacht is anything but average, combining exceptional design with the enjoyment and comfort of a variety of smart on-board amenities. The 66' Ribelle, the Sarnico yard's premier open cruiser, reflects the Riva spirit in her own distinctive manner, with a thrilling combination of technology and elegance. Speak to a Riva Yacht Sales Specialist for details or browse 66’ Ribelle for sale here .

RIVA 68’ DIABLE A sleek profile and stylish details infuse this trendsetting yacht with a fashion-driven spirit. Riva 68’ Diable sets the bar as the must-have open yacht, an incredible boat that tempts and beguiles, asking “what is it that you truly desire?” Speak to a Riva Yacht Sales Specialist for details or browse 68’ Diable for sale here .

RIVA 76' BAHAMAS SUPER The name Bahamas has long been associated with the Riva family. It recalls the exotic splendor of beautiful islands to be explored onboard your dream boat. This was the motivation for the 76' Bahamas, the world's second convertible yacht, a magnificent motorboat that combines the attraction of classic design with the refined delights of cutting-edge technology.

It's no wonder that this quick, sleek, super-high-tech, seductive open sportfly yacht is coveted by so many owners. Speak to a Riva Yacht Sales Specialist for details or browse 76’ Bahamas for sale here .

RIVA 76' PERSEO SUPER Heir to and evolution of the multiple award-winning 76’ Perseo Super, the best-loved Riva sport-fly of recent years proposes new aesthetic solutions combined with unprecedented functional design features, achieving excellence in terms of onboard livability and performance

It's no wonder that this quick, sleek, super-high-tech, seductive open sportfly yacht is coveted by so many owners. Speak to a Riva Yacht Sales Specialist for details or browse 76’ Perseo Super for sale here .

RIVA 88' DOMINO SUPER The meticulous design process of the Riva 88 Domino Super led to many innovative features, both functional and aesthetic. Her aerodynamic profile is enhanced by the dark “London Grey” hull and the lighter “Regal Silver” of the superstructure.

The sun deck enhances the sportiness of the craft. The open-air control station at the center of the boat is compact and features a roomy, comfortable sofa forward. The single large window on the hull produces a strong sense of dynamism and radiance, with its very bold design pointing like an arrow from the middle of the boat through to the foredeck. Speak to a Riva Yacht Sales Specialist for details or browse Riva 88' Domino Super for sale here .

RIVA 88' FOLGORE This blaze of spectacular flair, this enticing thunderbolt, is set to attract Riva legend owners and devotees all around the world. The Riva 88' Folgore is a new sportfly with a twist: powerful and innovative, with an almost sci-fi elegance, this is a yacht designed to stun. Her design's magnetic attractiveness is based on the notion of combining modern materials like carbon with traditional aesthetic characteristics like mahogany inlay and ornate steel.

The 88' Folgore, like all of Riva's recent masterpieces, is the result of a collaboration between Officina Italiana Design (the firm formed by Mauro Micheli with Sergio Beretta), the Product Strategy Committee led by Piero Ferrari, and the Ferretti Group Engineering Department. Speak to a Riva Yacht Sales Specialist for details or browse Riva 88' Folgore for sale here .

RIVA 88' FLORIDA Even perfection may evolve. The 88' Florida exemplifies this concept, rewriting the code of yachting once more for a sailing experience unlike any other. Her sporty, sinuous forms embrace a double personality, as her coupé and open-cruiser personas swap places thanks to the proprietary patented Convertible Top system inherited from the fast car sector.

Her distinct aesthetic, the result of designer Mauro Micheli's creative imagination, blends flawlessly with cutting-edge nautical technology. What more could you want in a yacht than elegance, inventiveness, and élan combined with power and speed, all with the unmistakable Riva hallmark? Speak to a Riva Yacht Sales Specialist for details or browse Riva 88' Florida for sale here .

RIVA 90' ARGO The 90' Argo is a one-of-a-kind example of Riva's new generation of flybridges. This masterpiece of magnetic beauty is a matchless star in the worldwide yachting constellation, with a futuristic design, a name that invokes mythology, and a superlative variety of high-tech on-board solutions.

Her instantly identifiable, forward-thinking design, distinguished by fluid, athletic lines, provides her with a free-flowing, powerful profile that attracts the eye to a captivating effect. The wide areas combine the recognizable Riva style with contributions from the most famous names in Italian interior design, resulting in a spectacular victory of elegance and comfort. Speak to a Riva Yacht Sales Specialist for details or browse Riva 90' Argo for sale here .

RIVA SUPERYACHTS BY MODEL

RIVA 102' CORSARO SUPER The new Riva 102' Corsaro Super flybridge yacht is a stunningly attractive redesigned successor to the 100' Corsaro. The new Corsaro Super has even more astonishing dimensions, with unparalleled uniqueness and class: 102 feet of grandeur and fresh style accents that breathe life into an exceptional masterpiece of yacht design, poised to make a spectacular mark in the history of the flybridge line.

Both the superstructure and the hull have been fully redesigned based on a modern sport philosophy that views direct touch with the water as the ultimate pleasure of sailing. The new Corsaro Super measures 102' (31 meters) overall and has a beam of over 23'. (7 meters).

New dimensions and efficient places transform how passengers spend their time on board. The guiding principles behind all the new features are functionality, maximum livability, and ever more direct contact with the water, such as the option to install special gunwales that swing out on either side of the main deck to create exclusive terraces with a panoramic view, increasing the volume of the external walkways without affecting the vessel's elegant profile.

The stern section on the main deck has been completely redesigned to include a 35-square-meter beach club dedicated to conviviality and comfort. There are three decks and five staterooms on the vessel. Speak to a Riva Yacht Sales Specialist for details or browse Riva 102' Corsaro Superyacht for sale here .

RIVA 110' DOLCEVITA Riva's new fiberglass flagship, 110' Dolcevita, is the newest beauty to adorn the redesigned flybridge fleet. Majestic like the work of art she is, as sparkling as the most spectacular time in contemporary history.

This maritime masterpiece is a flybridge of unlimited beauty, the result of a partnership between Officina Italiana Design and the Ferretti Group Engineering department. She is a magnificent invention in every way: for her spectacular visual effect, for her unparalleled balance of aesthetics, luxury, and high technology, and for the premium cruising experience she provides. Speak to a Riva Superyacht Sales Specialist for details or browse Riva 110' Dolcevita Superyacht for sale here .

RIVA 130' BELLISSIMA PROJECT The design, as with all Rivas since 1991, is from Officina Italiana of Mauro Micheli and Sergio Beretta. She promises a class-leading capacity, and a classic elegant style synonymous with the Riva brand.

The new 130’ Bellissima superyacht will accommodate up to 10 guests in 5 cabins, all of which will be unequaled in terms of comfort, elegance, and luxury. Speak to a Riva Superyacht Sales Specialist for details or browse Riva 130' Bellissima Project Superyacht for sale here .

RIVA 50METRI Riva 50METRI turns Carlo Riva’s dream into reality. Driven by an inspired ambition to break new ground, he created the great steel motor yachts in the celebrated Caravelle and Atlantic series during the ’60s and ’70s. His concept of experiencing the sea and the open-air life to the full achieves its finest expression yet in the new flagship. 

All the design decisions blend functionality and aesthetics to perfection, for optimum livability in every outdoor space and an interrupted panorama towards the coast or horizon. Riva 50METRI reflects and even enhances the brand’s aesthetic prestige and hallmark style, giving her owner a cruising experience with supreme standards of comfort and total peace of mind. Speak to a Riva Superyacht Sales Specialist for details or browse the Riva 50Metri Superyacht for sale here .

RIVA 54METRI PROJECT Discover Riva 54METRI Project, a spirit akin to the legendary Riva boat fleet. Riva range expresses the soul of this legendary brand to sublime effect. Now with Superyachts Division, you can make a Riva truly yours. Speak to a Riva Superyacht Sales Specialist for details or browse the Riva 54Metri Superyacht for sale here .

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U.S. Eyes $156 Million Yacht in Dubai Linked to a Russian Oligarch

The U.S. Justice Department is taking steps to seize the Madame Gu, a 324-foot luxury yacht, but it will be diplomatically thorny.

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By Kate Kelly ,  Michael Forsythe and Julian E. Barnes

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — On a clear morning in late October, the jewel-blue hull of the Madame Gu, one of the world’s most luxurious superyachts, gleamed, its aluminum rails shimmering in the sun. Workers on the pier said they had recently seen people painting, cleaning and generally keeping the ship with its helipad and six guest staterooms in pristine condition.

In past years, such a scene would not have been noteworthy. Many superyachts come and go from Dubai’s Mina Rashid Marina, best known as the home of the Queen Elizabeth 2, the trans-Atlantic ocean liner-turned-hotel that dominates the waterfront here.

But Russia’s war in Ukraine has turned an otherwise routine tableau into a diplomatic battleground between the United States and the United Arab Emirates, an important American ally that has established itself as a safe haven for Russian money and assets out of the reach of U.S. sanctions.

The $156 million Madame Gu epitomizes the problem. In June, the United States designated the vessel, which is linked to Andrei Skoch, a Russian steel magnate and lawmaker under sanctions, as blocked property. That means the yacht cannot use American companies for its upkeep, employ U.S. citizens or even use the dollar. The Justice Department is now taking steps to seize the Madame Gu, according to people with knowledge of the plan.

But the United States can’t seize property in a sovereign nation without permission from its government. The Emirates, which has taken a friendlier position toward Moscow, is balking at cooperating with the United States to pursue oligarchs, American officials said. The Kremlin is also using oligarch-controlled companies in the Emirates to acquire war supplies that the West is trying to keep out of Russia’s reach, according to a Western official involved in the sanctions effort against Russia.

Emirati officials did not comment specifically on the Madame Gu but said in a statement that they took their role “protecting the integrity of the global financial system extremely seriously.”

A closer examination of Russian assets in the Emirates shows that even before the war in Ukraine, Dubai had become a playground for Russians with links to President Vladimir V. Putin. At least 38 businessmen or officials with ties to the Russian president own homes in Dubai that are collectively valued at more than $314 million, according to the Center for Advanced Defense Studies. Five of those owners are under U.S. sanctions.

Since the Russian invasion, Dubai has established itself as a safe haven for Russian yachts and aircraft unable to sail or fly elsewhere. After Russian jets were barred from the European Union in late February, the Emirates became the destination for 14 percent of all private flights leaving Russia, up from 3 percent before the invasion.

“It’s frustrating when you see huge assets that are sitting out there and it appears that the country is not cooperating,” said Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Democrat of Rhode Island, referring to the Emirates. “It would be nice if there were more common cause against Putin while he’s busy shelling hospitals and schools.”

Mr. Whitehouse is sponsoring legislation that would use proceeds of the sales of seized Russian assets to help rebuild Ukraine. Senior officials at the Treasury and State Departments have also complained publicly about the situation.

U.S. officials view the presence of superyachts in places like Dubai and Bodrum, Turkey , as a symptom of wider Russian circumvention of sanctions and continued access to financial markets. Yachts have also come to symbolize the decadence of Russia’s oligarchs, especially at a time when Russian soldiers are scrounging for body armor and sleeping bags on the front lines.

Pursuing the Madame Gu

Built by the Dutch firm Feadship and put into service in 2013, the Madame Gu has a large helicopter pad on its forecastle with a hangar underneath that can double as a squash court when the chopper isn’t on board. The vessel has berthing for 36 crew members, according to one trade magazine.

Mr. Skoch, a member of Russia’s Parliament who is linked to assets worth billions of dollars, according to U.S. court filings, has had sanctions imposed on him twice by the United States, first in 2018 and then after Russia’s invasion this year. The Treasury Department has cited his “longstanding ties to Russian organized criminal groups.”

Mr. Skoch could not be reached and did not respond to messages left at his office at Parliament.

In an interview in October about the government’s broader efforts to go after the assets of oligarchs, Andrew Adams, a federal prosecutor leading the Department of Justice’s KleptoCapture task force, declined to discuss the Madame Gu. But the United States, he said, is warning companies they must not do business with individuals and assets under sanctions. The government, he said, will pursue oligarch-owned assets whose sale could be used to aid Ukraine.

“Where we know there is an asset that can potentially provide significant remuneration for Ukraine, that obviously is an attractive case to pursue,” he said.

U.S. officials are likely to use the case they made for impounding a $90 million Airbus business jet linked to Mr. Skoch in August as a blueprint for seizing the Madame Gu, said people familiar with the plan.

That means investigators will aim to show that the owner of the vessel, or the companies that have been providing services to it, have intersected with the U.S. financial system.

“If there are U.S. dollars or a U.S. nexus associated with supporting this vessel, massive enforcement actions could take place,” said Adam M. Smith, a former official overseeing sanctions at the Treasury Department. Companies that provide support to entities under sanctions could potentially face their own sanctions, said Mr. Smith, who is now a lawyer at Gibson Dunn in Washington.

This year the United States has carried out two high-profile seizures of yachts tied to Russians under sanctions, working with cooperative governments. The $300 million Amadea was taken in Fiji in May and sailed to San Diego under an American flag. In April, the United States worked with Spanish police to seize the $90 million Tango.

A Problematic Partner

Diplomatically, the Emirates has been reluctant to take a clear anti-Russian position when it comes to the war in Ukraine. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president of the United Arab Emirates, recently met with Mr. Putin in St. Petersburg, and the Emirati foreign minister recently hosted his Russian counterpart. Yet Sheikh Mohammed has also talked with Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, more than once and recently gave the country $100 million in humanitarian aid.

The United States has publicly expressed dismay over the mixed messages.

During a visit to Dubai in June, Wally Adeyemo, the U.S. deputy treasury secretary, warned of the need for vigilance and proactive steps in combating Russian evasion. That same month Barbara Leaf, the State Department’s under secretary for Near East Affairs, said at a congressional hearing that regarding the Emirates, she was “not happy at all with the record at this point” on sanctions enforcement. Mr. Adeyemo reiterated his concerns in a meeting with Emirati officials in October in Washington.

A senior State Department official said in a statement to The New York Times that the agency continues “to reinforce the importance of conducting enhanced due diligence to prevent sanctions evasion and investigating allegations of such activity” to the Emirates.

The Treasury Department declined to comment on the Madame Gu or the relationship with the Emirates.

Last month, the Treasury Department announced it had placed sanctions on an Emirates-based company, Constellation Advisors Ltd., that the American government said was operating on behalf of a nephew of another Russian oligarch, Suleiman Kerimov. Mr. Kerimov, according to American court documents, was the owner of the Amadea superyacht .

American officials are also worried the Russian government is using the Emirates to acquire military supplies for its war in Ukraine. On Nov. 15, the Treasury Department imposed sanctions on two Emirates-based transportation firms that had worked with another Iranian firm under sanctions, which in turn had helped transport drones and personnel from Iran to Russia.

Moored in Dubai

Based on a recent visit to Dubai’s Mina Rashid Marina , where the Madame Gu is moored, it is clear that international companies are playing a critical role in its care.

The Emirates-based company DP World, through its subsidiary P&O Marinas , oversees the pier where the Madame Gu is moored. Employees from another DP World subsidiary , World Security, staff the small guard box at the entrance. That makes DP World, which is owned by Dubai’s royal family, potentially vulnerable to American sanctions.

DP World “fully complies with all applicable local and national laws and intends to continue doing the same regarding the Madame Gu and other vessels utilizing our services,” said Adal Mirza, a spokesman for the company. He added that DP World had not yet heard from the United States or other countries that had placed Mr. Skoch under sanctions, including Britain and the European Union.

A generator set that dock workers said in late October was powering the Madame Gu — two container-like structures near its stern — bore the distinctive orange logo of Aggreko , a British company. The generator set was connected to the superyacht by thick cords; one of the containers was emitting grayish exhaust.

At the Mina Rashid Marina, soon after Aggreko was contacted by The Times, workers removed the generator. “Having identified that the generator was being used to power a vessel that is allegedly connected to a sanctioned person, we immediately terminated this rental and have since recovered the generator,” the company said in a statement.

Mr. Mirza, the DP World spokesman, said the Aggreko generator had been replaced with one from a local supplier.

P&O Marinas arranged for the diesel generator to provide power for the Madame Gu because that part of the pier, a holding area, has no shore-supplied electric power, said a port official in Dubai, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to talk to the press.

“At the end of the day, if the U.A.E. hasn’t imposed sanctions, it’s not really their job to enforce other countries’ laws within their borders,” said Nabeel Yousef, a Washington-based partner at the law firm Freshfields, where he runs the sanctions practice. Nevertheless, “companies should not take comfort in the fact that their country has not imposed sanctions,” he added, “because even the smallest connection to the U.S. can lead to U.S. penalties.”

There has also been a notable absence onboard the Madame Gu in recent weeks: a flag. Unlike other ships moored nearby, including the Quantum Blue, a superyacht linked to the billionaire Sergei Galitsky, the Madame Gu appears to be stateless, apparently having been deflagged by the Cayman Islands.

Cayman Islands officials didn’t respond to an emailed inquiry about the ship’s status.

If DP World were to face fallout from U.S. sanctions enforcers, it wouldn’t be the first time the company has been the focus of attention in Washington. In 2006, DP World was seeking to manage some terminal operations at six American ports but dropped out of the deal after a bipartisan uproar in Congress.

Anton Troianovski contributed reporting from Turin, Italy, and Oleg Matsnev from Berlin.

Kate Kelly covers money, influence, and policy as a correspondent in the Washington bureau of the Times. Before that, she spent twenty years covering Wall Street deals, key players and their intersection with politics. She is the author of three books, including "The Education of Brett Kavanaugh." More about Kate Kelly

Michael Forsythe is a reporter on the investigations team. He was previously a correspondent in Hong Kong, covering the intersection of money and politics in China. He has also worked at Bloomberg News and is a United States Navy veteran. More about Michael Forsythe

Julian E. Barnes is a national security reporter based in Washington, covering the intelligence agencies. Before joining The Times in 2018, he wrote about security matters for The Wall Street Journal. More about Julian E. Barnes

Our Coverage of the War in Ukraine

News and Analysis

A day after securing a new term in a rubber-stamp presidential election, President Vladimir Putin of Russia said he would not back down in Russia’s war against Ukraine .

With additional American aid still in doubt, Lloyd Austin, the U.S. defense secretary, called for “creative, adaptable and sustainable ways” to continue arming Ukraine  and praised European allies who were trying to bolster Kyiv’s military.

Ukraine fired a volley of exploding drones  at Moscow and other targets on the final day of Russia’s presidential vote, the local authorities said, continuing a flurry of attacks timed for the election .

Symbolism or Strategy?: Ukrainians say that defending places with little strategic value is worth the cost in casualties and weapons , because the attacking Russians pay an even higher price. American officials aren’t so sure.

Elaborate Tales: As the Ukraine war grinds on, the Kremlin has created increasingly complex fabrications online  to discredit Ukraine’s leader, Volodymyr Zelensky, and undermine the country’s support in the West.

Targeting Russia’s Oil Industry: With its army short of ammunition and troops to break the deadlock on the battlefield, Kyiv has increasingly taken the fight beyond the Ukrainian border, attacking oil infrastructure deep in Russian territory .

How We Verify Our Reporting

Our team of visual journalists analyzes satellite images, photographs , videos and radio transmissions  to independently confirm troop movements and other details.

We monitor and authenticate reports on social media, corroborating these with eyewitness accounts and interviews. Read more about our reporting efforts .

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Riva Yacht is one of the most iconic shipbuilders in the world. With a story originating over 175 years ago with the craftsmanship of Pietro Riva, the yard is now one of the world's oldest and most renowned.

Heritage The shipyard in Sarnico, created in 1842 on the shores of Lake Iseo, gave life to the whole Riva story.  Its beating heart is Carlo Riva’s office, called the ‘Wheelhouse’, which he designed himself with meticulous attention to functionality. It is situated at the centre of the facilities, flanked by two columns supporting a 40-metre arch with two cranes able to haul boats of up to 20 tons in weight. Key to the construction of each trademark Riva yacht is craftsmanship, quality, and innovative yet functional design.

Construction Riva’s extensive range of models – open, coupé, flybridge versions and superyachts – is conceived by Officina Italiana Design, founded by Mauro Micheli and Sergio Beretta, along with the Group’s Product Strategy Committee and Marketing Department, together with the Ferretti Group Engineering Department.

Locations From beginnings in Sarnico, Riva Shipyards are now based across strategic locations in Italy to include La Spezia in 2003 and Ancona since joining the Ferretti Group. 

Ferretti Group Since 2000 Riva has been a member of the Ferretti Group, a world leader in the luxury yachting sector. The Ferretti Group added new life to the shipyard; the Riva range was completely refreshed and remodelled by producing a new model almost every year.

Riva launched 50m Race in 2019 - the first model of its superyacht division - marking a new frontier for the historic Italian brand with the strength and support of Ferretti Group to propel it forward. 

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