New Zealand boating record set as 106 Riviera luxury motor yachts raft-up at Waiheke Island.
A New Zealand boating record was set in Auckland last weekend with 106 Riviera luxury motor yachts rafting together to create a massive circle measuring 234m in diameter at Awaawaroa Bay on the southern side of Waiheke Island.
The flotilla of luxury motor yachts ranging in size from 10m to 22m gathered to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Riviera. In the centre of the circle, a purpose-built floating stage was anchored to create an amphitheatre the likes of which the Hauraki Gulf has never seen before. Live entertainment was presented by Chet O’Connell and Midge Marsden during the raft-up. Headlining the event was one of New Zealand’s premier female vocal ensembles, The Lady Killers featuring Jackie Clarke, Tina Cross and Suzanne Lynch.
Over 500 Riviera enthusiasts were treated to a highly memorable day and evening on the water.
Dean Horgan the Managing Director of New Zealand’s Rivera representative dealership, R Marine Flagship, said the celebration of the 40th Anniversary of New Zealand’s motor popular motor yachts and the sense of rivalry to surpass an Australian raft-up record motivated many Riviera owners to come from afar.
“The largest Riviera raft-up to date was held in Perth in 2017 with 48 Riviera yachts. So, our New Zealand owners have really wanted to take the title from our Australian friends. People are travelling from as far north to Gisborne in the south to take part,” Mr Horgan said.
A team of 30 from R Marine Flagship and Riviera were on hand to help the boats safely raft together, with three Riviera 72 Sports Motor Yachts and one 61 Enclosed Flybridge to drop their anchors at the four points of the compass.
Riviera owner Rodney Longhurst said the company has enjoyed a particularly strong following in New Zealand with more that 600 motor yachts now cruising in local waters since the arrival of the first Riviera in 1984.
“Riviera is a trusted brand in New Zealand and is the luxury motor yacht of choice. In a country of expert boat builders, it is humbling that the New Zealanders respect and value Rivieras craftsmanship, style, innovation and especially our blue water and offshore performance.
“We are proud to begin our 40th-anniversary year celebrations with the largest New Zealand and Riviera Raft-Up ever to be held.
“Bringing together 106 Riviera motor yachts is an immense undertaking and I congratulate the outstanding team at R Marine Flagship for organising what was truly a spectacular event in the City of Sails.”
