Riviera 53

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The galley holds more cold stowage than some small restaurants, with two drawer freezers, two drawer refrigerators, and an ice maker opposite the galley. Additional amenities include a big sink, an electric cooktop and loads of counter space. Two cooks can easily operate in this galley.

Two huge settees — one serving as part of the dinette — fill both sides of the salon. This area, the enclosed bridge and the cockpit keep guests from having to compete for space. A single windshield mullion aids in visually opening up the room by creating an unobstructed line of sight for all.



“I bet it’s going to be too top-heavy,” the never-ending chatter continues. A few skeptics ask if the massive enclosed bridge will adversely affect the 53’s handling. OK, I admit I’m curious as well, and eagerly anticipate running the boat in the choppy Coral Sea off Surfers Paradise.

​Sorry to disappoint the doom-and-gloom crowd, but this Australian honey handles very well. Turning is tight and responsive. We drive the 53 in a four-foot beam sea, experiencing no adverse affects from the additional superstructure, which is kept light during the build process.

The three 435 horsepower Volvo IPS diesels propel the 53 to a top speed of 29.5 knots at 3600 rpm while burning a total of 66 gallons per hour. I pull the throttle back to 3000 rpm, and she settles in at 21.4 knots, burning a total of 43 gallons per hour for all three engines. This translates to a range of about 400 miles at 21 knots (based on a 10 percent reserve and no generator use).

Riviera also offers engine packages from Caterpillar and MTU, coupled with pod-drives. This setup relies on two engines versus the three-engine configuration of our test boat. (I’d like to run a 53 with one of these options to compare against the fuel burn of our test boat.)

This is the first Riviera entirely laid up with resin infusion. The process sucks out excess resin during lamination, resulting in a lighter and stronger hull — and a better working environment in the glass shop. Quality control is also improved by eliminating the excess air that can cause voids, weakening the structure.