The 46 Sport Motor Yacht reinvents the open flybridge boat market for Riviera and, in many ways, brings the brand back to its roots.
However, almost 6000 boats and over 40 years later, a lot has been learned from how the boats are built, from the engineering and design to the friendlier and more accommodating layouts. While the 46 SMY goes back to the essence of Riviera, it marries together all the latest design, construction, engineering and electronic technology.
What Riviera has managed to design into the 46 SMY is everything you would expect to find in larger motor yachts but at a more compact level. Yet there is no indication that space is an issue. There is a feeling of openness from the cockpit and alfresco deck to the accommodation areas, saloon and flybridge. another couple of berths, which means you can sleep up to eleven.
And this in a boat of fewer than 15m. The new helm features a pair of Garmin 16″ MFDs, flanked by an array of push-button switches, controls for everything from the Muir anchor to the spotlight and the Volvo Penta Dock Assist. Like all new Rivieras, the boat comes fitted with the Siren Marine remote security monitoring, control and alert system. The owner of boat #1 upgraded the standard helm seats for a pair of multi-adjustable Pomponette chairs. Opposite the helm is a wet bar and fridge, plus extra storage.
If you are into serious fishing, then the aft helm allows the skipper to keep an eye on everything happening in the cockpit, so when the action starts, he can manoeuvre the boat accordingly without leaving the comfort of the helm chair.
Riviera sees the 46 SMY as a boat that will re-energise the flybridge market. Riviera has been growing and improving its enclosed flybridge range for many years, and the Sport Motor Yacht series is proof of that. But not everyone wants or needs an enclosed flybridge, so the 46 SMY is Riviera’s answer to those that still like the feeling of fresh air and a breeze while driving. If you want AN OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE
From the rise and fall boarding platform to the enormous glass door leading into the galley and lower saloon, the 46 SMY layout is identical to the 465 SUV. The lower cockpit features all the usual storage lockers and a massive central wet bin. With future servicing in mind, Riviera has included inspection hatches directly above the IPS drives. Engine room access is via a large hatch in the alfresco deck. There is two door access to the platform, which can also be configured with stainless staple rails. This opens up the split areas into one and is excellent if you are into your fishing. Add a bait board and rod holders to the staples, and you have an ideal fishing platform. This also doubles as the tender or PWC storage space.
Dividing the lower deck from the alfresco deck is a bbq and servery area to port and top load fridge and icemaker to starboard. There is a natural feeling of connectivity in the outdoor spaces. From the kids on the platform diving into the water, to the chef preparing prawns on the barbie and quests having drinks on the alfresco deck, it all blends seamlessly into one.
Such is the size of the alfresco deck, it adds about another third more space to the saloon.
Loungers on both sides can be converted to extra berths with a drop-down table and infill to port providing a full size double. Wide side decks with handy safety rails lead to
the foredeck and sunpad. Like all new boats from Riviera, the foredeck area has been transformed from somewhere to stow the tender into a very useable and fun space.
For 42 years, Stephen Milne, Brand & Marketing Director for Riviera, has watched the brand’s evolution since the first Riviera 38 launched in 1981.
He says, “The 46 SMY typifies what Riviera is all about, from the wide walkaround side decks, easy access to the tender, open flybridge, al fresco deck,
and aft galley. Plus, the ease of boating through innovative systems is making boating with Riviera easier and more enjoyable”.
NEW LAYOUT
The interior of 46 SMY #1 is satin Walnut, although you have options for gloss and other timbers. Fabrics are also the owner’s choice.
The saloon of the 46 SMY is all new with a double lounge forward, starboard side aft galley and internal staircase to the flybridge. The port side lounge converts to yet another double berth thanks to the drop-down dining table, plus there is yet another complete berth opposite if you need it. This is a boat you need if you plan to have many friends staying overnight. Two couples plus five or six kids, no problem for the 46 SMY.
High profile windows radiate natural light into the saloon, and the loungers are at a perfect height to look at what is happening outside. The aft galley features a composite bench top, large servery spaces and the usual amenities and appliances required to feed the hungry and possibly large crew. A small detail, but the two-pack painted cabinetry above the galley is a subtle break from all the Walnut and offers contemporary elegance. It blends into the area rather than being imposing. Riviera has included a dedicated rod locker to make the best use of available space above the galley.
The staircase to the flybridge is the same concept as on the larger Sport Motor Yachts, with floating treads on a stainless frame. In the 465 SUV, this space was taken up by a bar area.
THREE CABINS
The three cabin, two bathroom layout of the 46 SMY has is a forward master with an island berth, his and hers wardrobes and an extra large en-suite. You can choose the starboard guest cabin of two singles or another double berth. To port, the cabin has a double berth plus plenty of storage. The two guest cabins shared the second en-suite, doubling as the day head.
Imposing. That is how I describe the massive and stylish hull windows, which radiate copious light into the three cabins. Gone are the days of one or two small hull ports. Like most of their contemporaries, Riviera sees the benefit of having sizeable stylish hull windows, which not only stamps a signature on the brand but also helps eliminate those old, dark, uninviting cabins.
ON THE WATER
I always enjoy boating on the Broadwater, although it does take a keen eye ahead and one on the screen to weave your way around the many sandbars. The big Garmin screen made the transit from Runaway Bay to the Entrance and beyond too easy. Interestingly I was last out on these same waters a few months back, running the Riviera 465 SUV. The handling, ride and attitude of the flybridge boat were very similar. Positive, responsive and agile. The extra height of the flybridge had a limited effect on how the boat responded. The boat’s ride attitude and how it runs through the water can be very much predetermined by leaving the Seakeeper 6 gyro and the Volvo Penta interceptors to do their work.
The 46 SMY ran out to around 35 knots in the low wells off Surfers Paradise. This showed a fuel burn of 286 lph for the twin 725hp Volvo Penta D11 IPS950s. The best cruise was at 2300 rpm @ 29 knots with a fuel burn of 224 lph. Based on 90% of the available fuel, that gives you around a 300nm range. The IPS D11 950s are an upgrade from the 600hp D8 IPS800s.
SUMMARY
Essentially, the 46 SMY is the flybridge version of the 465 SUV. Fish, cruise, party or whatever, the Riviera 46 SMY offers it all in a neat liveaboard package. This is a superb social boat as well as a family boat. Riviera has done an excellent job blending modern contemporary with traditional materials, and the result is visually easy on the eye. It is an exceptional example of what 42 years of evolution can create.
Specifications
Boat Design Riviera 46 Sport Motor Yacht
Year Launched 2022
Style Flybridge
Builder Riviera Yachts
Designer Riviera Yachts
LOA 15.90m
LOH 14.30m
Beam 4.76mm
Draft 1.30m
Displacement (Dry) 21920 kgs
Max Speed 34.5 knots
Construction GRP Composite
Fuel Cap 2500 litres
Water Cap 500 litres
Engines Make 2 x Volvo Penta IPS950
Drive Train IPS
Generator Onan
Air Con Dometic
Watermaker Bluewater
Interceptors Volvo Penta
Gyro Seakeeper 6
MFD 2 x Garmin 16”
Winch Muir
Ent System Fusion
Priced From USD $1,544,900 – AUS $1,758,300
Contact www.rivieraaustralia.com
Performance Data | ||||
Rpm | Knots | L/h | L/NM | Range (NM) |
600 | 5.9 | 9.0 | 1.4 | 270 |
1100 | 9.2 | 45 | 4.9 | 460 |
1300 | 10.1 | 75 | 7.4 | 303 |
1500 | 11.0 | 115 | 10.5 | 215 |
1700 | 19.5 | 137 | 7.0 | 320 |
1900 | 28.2 | 160 | 5.7 | 397 |
2100 | 36.3 | 193 | 5.3 | 423 |
2300 | 28.9 | 224 | 7.8 | 290 |
2400 | 31.5 | 242 | 7.7 | 293 |
2500 | 33.2 | 265 | 8.0 | 282 |
2560 | 34.5 | 286 | 8.3 | 271 |
