SPACE TRAVELLER
By Jeni Bone
The remarkable new Riviera 5600 Sport Yacht Platinum Edition has captured the eternal spirit of bluewater adventure and contemporary appetite for life’s little luxuries in one superlative, sub-60 foot package.
Fireworks, lasers and a soulful saxophonist heralded the world premiere of the Riviera 5600 Sport Yacht Platinum Edition – the product of three years of R&D and owner input. On Saturday 6 December 2025, The Riviera Yacht Club was the venue for the much-anticipated reveal of the 5600 Sport Yacht Platinum Edition, which replaces the popular 5400 and represents a giant leap forward in design, on board amenities and technology. Guests included owners who had flown in from Canada, the US, New Zealand and interstate for an evening of camaraderie, celebration, and to step aboard the new vessel for the first time.
Every new model is welcomed with a flurry of anticipation and promotion, but in the case of the 5600SY, devotees showed their faith in deposits. Before the launch, Riviera had sold close to 30 units of the new model, off the plan, sight unseen.
“That’s a very pleasing endorsement of our relationship with Riviera owners and their level of involvement as stakeholders in our brand,” commented Riviera owner, Rodney Longhurst.
“It really conveys the confidence in Riviera and our ability to listen to owners and take on board the ways they use their boats.”
The Riviera 5600 Sport Yacht aimed to set a new benchmark across every measure for a luxury motor yacht under 60-feet. New levels of spaciousness, comfort, liveability and luxury appointments. New levels of engineering excellence, bluewater capability and fuel-efficient performance.
From a vantage point on the marina, the first impression is the expansive foredeck lounge, which represents an evolutionary leap from the sunpads of previous models.
In fact, the reimagined bow lounge is one of the main drawcards of the 5600SY, and according to owners, “a game changer” as a secondary entertaining area, with a pedestal table and seating, and forward, twin sunpads with hinging backrests to convert into sun lounges. Lockers beneath the seating are practical for all kinds of gear, including an awning for shade and privacy.
Also evident is the ample beam of 5.11 metres, larger than the 5400 at 4.88 metres, and on board, the ceiling height and feeling of volume are defining advantages of the new model. Every centimetre has been optimised, according to Riviera Design and Engineering Director, Dan Henderson, who acknowledged the thousands of hours of 3D CAD modelling devoted to the 5600SY.
Henderson and his team were responsible for the new hull, which he described as “the evolution of modern Riviera Sport Yacht hull design, combining excellent seakeeping and confidence-inspiring handling, optimised for the efficiency of Volvo Penta IPS”.
“Compared to the 5400 that the 5600 Sport Yacht effectively replaces, the 5600 has a finer entry, is infused and therefore has better strength to weight ratio, wider and slightly more parallel chines, and more beam.”
Stepping aboard at the stern, the hydraulic swim platform creates a private beach, making swimming, tender and toy launch a breeze. The wider tender garage accommodates a 3.3-metre RIB and extra gear. Wide teak-laid steps reflecting Riviera’s meticulous craftsmanship lead to the aft deck.
Available with a short or extended hardtop, the cockpit is a supremely social space, designed for effortless alfresco entertaining, with plush lounges, a generous dining area, and a fully equipped outdoor galley with barbecue, refrigeration and wet bar.
Behind the barbecue unit is the Volvo Penta aft deck docking station. There is an option to have a second docking station added to the starboard quarter.
Handy lockers are useful for stowing ropes, fenders and other items, and lifting up the aft deck lounge provides access to the top of the tender garage and an insulated ice bin.
The L-shaped forward lounge features one-piece, hinged cushions that lift up to reveal additional storage below.
With the touch of a button, electric blinds, a sunroof and a concealed LED TV transform the area to suit any mood or occasion.
For practical access to raised, fixed jetties, there are side-deck wing doors available in three options: port, starboard, or both.
Among the array of new features are the folding steps which emerge on the starboard side when the swim platform lowers, ensuring guests can safely descend the stairs onto the submerged platform. Added to that, a convenient engine room access door is set in the stairs, and there’s a second hatch in the aft deck on the port side, which also provides access to the full-height engine room, designed for optimal serviceability.
The galley and saloon flow seamlessly from the aft deck to form one grand living space.
Whether catering for a crowd or a couple, chefs will love the gourmet galley equipped with Miele appliances, refrigeration and a bar-benchtop with two stools. On the portside are the fridge/freezer drawers, customcrafted bottle storage, overhead glassware lockers, a wine cooler and a nifty cocktail mixing station.
The saloon benefits from light and views through fully opening, panoramic windows and an electric sunroof, while a cinema-style entertainment system emerges from cabinetry on the starboard side, and a dining table in matching gloss walnut is concealed within the backrest of the lounge to port for added amenity.
On this sea trial, cruising a glassy Broadwater on a picture-perfect Gold Coast day, through the Seaway and offshore, the 5600SY comes into its own.
Smooth, close to silent, planing at around 14 knots, there’s excellent visibility from the helm and fingertip control.
Two ergonomically designed chairs, state-of-the-art touchscreen navigation and joystick controls comprise the uncluttered helm; Two 19-inch, 4K highdefinition Garmin screens streamline navigation, with all engine data and vessel system information within easy reach in customisable, split screen displays.
The Volvo Penta Joystick which integrates low speed manoeuvring, optional assisted docking mode and joystick steering for offshore, equals effortless handling at all speeds with one hand. This is fully integrated with the Volvo Penta Glass Cockpit system and includes Dynamic Positioning System (DPS), which holds the vessel’s position and heading.
CZone Digital Switching centralises control and monitoring of all on board electrical systems from touchscreens, or optional iPad, and the Sentinel Marine App allow owners to keep track of systems and remotely operate selected circuits and modes.
With its twin Volvo D11 IPS 950 engines, the 5600SY achieves an excellent power-to-weight ratio, with enhanced torque, a comfortable, efficient cruising speed in the range of 20 to 25 knots, and a top speed of 32 knots with scarcely any effort.
At a cruising speed of 26.3 knots and 2300 rpm, it uses 225 litres of fuel per hour, while at a more leisurely pace of 18.8 knots and 1900 rpm, fuel consumption sits at 154.5 litres per hour.
After putting the 5600SY through her paces, the unanimous response among owners (and boating journos) was that the performance and handling were second to none.
“The beauty of a Sport Yacht is that it handles, turns and manoeuvres like a sports car,” said a Sydney owner, who was thrilled with the scintillating and smooth ride at 30 knots, and pleased with the option of specifying Humphree stabilising fins for his plans of long-range coastal cruising.
“You can take your time and see the sights, or open up the D11s and get where you’re going fast. The fins will enhance the quality of the ride and safety.”
The creature-comforts on board are equally considered and executed with Riviera’s trademark precision.
Below deck, accommodation comprises master stateroom, a private retreat with spacious ensuite, forward VIP stateroom, and a versatile third cabin with twin beds that slide together to convert to a double, along with a shared bathroom.
Yet another enhancement from the 5400 is the dedicated laundry which is adjacent to the master stateroom in the companionway and includes separate washer and dryer, bench space, storage, hanging locker and window – a real benefit for families and for extended time on board.
Following their own experiences on board Hull #1, destined for the US, owners made their satisfaction clear.
“It’s over and above our expectations,” said one owner. “We’ve just returned from Fort Lauderdale where we saw lots of boats, but we kept coming back to Riviera – there’s just nothing like it.”
Another couple was charmed by their new 5600SY, and equally rapt in the community around it.
“Fifty percent of the decision was the boat, the other 50 is the people – the way we’re looked after by Riviera – the support and the social aspect,” they said.
For one experienced New Zealand owner, who has owned three Rivieras, including a 5400, and several previous vessels, among them a 96-foot custom-designed ketch, the 5600SY is simply unrivalled in its class.
“The difference in size, both longer and wider, from our 5400 has made an immense difference to all areas on board,” he stated. “The larger cockpit and the amazing new entertainment space on the boat are brilliant. We love the larger tender garage that allows for a bigger tender and watertoy storage. For extended cruising, the new laundry and extra fridge are game changers.
“We believe this is a visionary boat that owners will enjoy now and into the future.”
Speaking at the launch function, Rodney Longhurst thanked owners who had gathered from all parts of the world, summing up his pride in his people and the product.
“Drawing on Riviera’s leading-edge boat building skills and the knowledge gained over 45 years launching over 6,300 handcrafted luxury motor yachts, the brief to our design team was to create the best mid 50-foot Sports Yacht. The result is spectacular!
“Congratulations! You own the world’s best 56-foot sport yacht.”
The Riviera 5600 Sport Yacht made its boat show premiere at the Miami International Boat Show, 11 to 15 February 2026, and will take pride of place in the Riviera showcase at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, 21 to 24 May 2026.
SPECIFICATIONS
LOA 18.64m
Beam 5.11m
Dry weight 25,660kg
Water capacity 800L
Sleeping capacity 6 Persons
Fuel capacity 3,300L
Holding tank capacity 400L
Engines Volvo Penta D11 IPS 950 x 2 533 KW each
PERFORMANCE DATA
RPM KNOTS L/H RANGE
700 6.3 12.5 1497
900 7.8 22 1053
1300 10.3 67 457
1900 18.8 154.5 361
2300 26.3 225 347
2400 28.3 240 350
2560 31.6 274 343
