ANOTHER WINNER
The Riviera 4800 Sport Yacht is the latest in the ever improving Riviera Sport Yacht Series. Barry Thompson was so impressed with the 5400 Sport Yacht, that he went to the Gold Coast to see if the smaller version was equally as good.
Released at the Sydney Boat Show in Aug 2016, the Riviera 4800 has been one of the most successful new releases for the company in recent years. Interestingly the only other model to come close is the 5400 SY, the bigger sister of the 4800 SY. While our test boat was #1 and the company demonstrator, the order books are out to close to 40.
According to the factory, if I ordered one today I would not be taking delivery until the first quarter of 2018. There’s no doubt the market has turned a lot in favour of the one level cruiser, a style that we certainly see more of. When I wrote about the 5400 SY (PPB July-Aug 2016), I said then, that it was the best model the company has ever released. Well, the 4800 SY has that same DNA and like the 5400 SY is an outstawnding vessel that is hard to fault. I put it on par with the 5400 SY.
With the success of the 5400 SY (30 on order before #1 was launched), Riviera had a winning design, so a smaller version was inevitable. The 4800 SY maintains the same styling and many of the features of the 5400 SY, it’s just in a more compact package. Smaller boat also means smaller engines and a lesser price. While the 5400 SY standard power is a pair of Volvo Penta IPS 950 @ 725hp, the 4800 SY runs a pair of Volvo Penta D8-IPS700 @ 550hp, with an option of the D8-IPS800 @ 600hp. The base price of the 5400 SY is around $AU1.6m, whereas the 4800 SY is $AU1.135m. Plus if you have berthing restrictions, the 5400 SY has a LOA of 17.29m, as opposed to the 4800 SY at 15.23m. The 4800 SY is around half a metre wider than the 5000 SY it replaces, so there’s certainly a significant gain in internal volume.
OPEN & INVITING
When you step into the 4800 SY saloon, you can’t help but be impressed. It’s high
window lines and glass rear bulkhead fills the inviting area with light and gives it a ‘come inside’ appeal. There’s also an electrically operated Webasto sunroof overhead. Our boat was finished in walnut cabinetry with a satin varnish finish, although there is the choice of high gloss should you prefer. No other timber options are available.
To port aft is the galley with solid surface Corian bench top, (colour options available), stainless sink, electric hob, combo microwave oven and undercounter fridge/freezers. The sole is finished in hard-wearing timber patterned flooring. Lockers and drawers spaces are plentiful both above and below the vanity. Opposite is the elevated dinette area that will comfortably seat six people. The walnut dining table, with teak feature trim, is available on a fixed pedestal base or fully adjustable should you want to turn this area into another accommodation option.
There is no storage under the squabs as space is used by the guest cabin below. Aft is further refrigeration. A perfect place to keep the beer and wine cold.
TWO CABIN LAYOUT
You might expect to see a three cabin layout in a boat this size, but not so with the 4800
- This is a two cabin, two bathroom boat with a forward master, aft guest cabin and a lower lounge that doubles as an extra single berth. With a wide beam, the boat provides generous space in all the cabins and living areas.
When you situate a cabin under the saloon deck, you are always going to be pinched for space, but Riviera has done an excellent job in maximising what is available. There are three
Single berths, with the ability to transform one pair into a double. Headroom is adequate on the starboard side, but a little restrictive above the twin berths.
Long high tempered glass side windows with stainless ports generate a feeling of space and
Take away any confined feeling. Light fabrics and hood linings also bring a spaciousness and warmth. It is a while since I have seen the owners cabin forward, as the trend today is very much for full beam aft masters, even in a boat this size.
However, given the height restriction aft, it was certainly more practical to move the master stateroom forward. Central is a queen sized walk around bed with a fully inner-sprung mattress. Like the aft cabin, large side windows spill plenty of light into the room. Both cabins have generous drawer storage and hanging lockers, individual air conditioning handlers, entertainment systems and en suites.
Both ensuites have a contemporary design, with Corian surfaces and semi-recessed bowls, a shower stall with a glass partition and Vacuflush toilets. The guest ensuite also doubles as the day head.
To starboard, opposite the ensuites is a large L-shaped leather settee, in an area that Riviera refer to as the lower lounge. This is the perfect space to get away from it all, for the kids to hang out or a quiet, relaxed workspace. It also adds another dimension to the accommodation options, with the backrest detachable to offer a single berth. When you take in the dinette area, the 4800 SY can necessarily provide sleeping space for 8-10 people. Might be a bit of a crush at breakfast, though.
HELM HEAVEN
Move over Sulu, and I’m taking control. Maybe not quite the Starship Enterprise, but Riviera has done a masterful job in designing the ultimate helm station. Centre stage is the Volvo glass bridge that brings everything together with all functions integrated into two 16” touch screens. The standard electronics package for the 4800 SY, the Volvo system means a clean and easy-to-use dashboard with enhanced overview and control. Integrated with the EVC system, the Volvo Penta Glass Cockpit gathers all navigation and engine information in one spot.
What is very cool is that you can customise layouts, data and gauges to allow you to place the information you need to see, right where you want it on full, half or quarter view, from a variety of data overlays. You can also link layouts to buttons on the engine control and joystick. When you press an assigned button, all displays switch in sync to the linked layout.
Volvo Penta Glass Cockpit gives you access to the broad range of Garmin Marine system components and accessories. Almost everything you need can be integrated: radar, sonar, VHS, connectivity, apps and much more. However as a backup, should you loose your navigational data on the main screens, there is a separate Garmin 7” screen, dedicated to engine monitoring functions and the second set of navigation modes.
But the electronics package doesn’t stop there. Another standard feature of the Riviera 4800 SY is the fully integrated CZone digital switching system that enhances the ease of monitoring of onboard systems even further. Flanking the screens are all the usual controls and switches such as a Garmin autopilot, Volvo Joystick control, VHF, chain counter and auto anchor. Twin fully adjustable black Recaro helm seats provide superior comfort for the skipper and guest.
EASILY DRIVEN
From the steering wheel to the prop nuts, the 4800 SY is a total Volvo Penta package. Standard power is a pair of D8-IPS600 @ 550hp, with the option of D8-IPS800 @ 600hp as fitted to boat #1. Top speed is an impressive 34.5 knots @ 3085 rpm with the 600hp engines and 31 knots with the 550hp standard package. However it’s not all about how fast a boat goes, but more what’s a comfortable and economical cruise range in ideal conditions. I feel that anywhere between 25-28 knots in a boat like this are perfect. With the 4800 SY, that’s at the top end, with a high 28.2 knots @ 2700 rpm, which returns a range of 269 nm/7.03 lpnm and a fuel burn of 198 lph.
When you look at the engine performance data for the 4800 SY, with the pair of IPS800s, it is interesting to see that there is a peak torque at around 1700 rpm and then the curve flatlines right through to the maximum 3085 rpm. This according to Volvo is typical of the IPS system, which they refer to this as their unique marine torque. This is designed specifically to increase the load-carrying capability, promote rapid acceleration, and have the ability to maintain a high cruising speed, irrespective of load or sea state.
The transition from idle to planning was certainly noticeable, as was the quietness and smooth ride. Obviously, it also helps to have a well-designed and efficient hull to take the engines! It’s an extremely easy boat to handle and very responsive to the helm. Again, the benefits of having Volvo Penta Interceptors fitted was clearly evident every time I tossed the 4800 SY into a turn and changed direction. In the different conditions, with the Interceptors on automatic mode, the tabs make a quickly calculated correction and put the boat into the most suitable trim mode.
RELAXING COCKPIT
Like most of their boats in the range, the 4800 SY has an open plan style that brings the cockpit and saloon together with a large starboard side hopper window and glass sliding door.
The cockpit design is all about making those evenings at anchor or having a few guests aboard as relaxing and pleasurable as possible. A fibreglass hardtop extends well aft to provide shade and shelter.
There is also strata-glass panels either side for further weather protection. To starboard in a moulded unit are an icemaker, drinks fridge and fresh water. There’s a twin plate bbq centre mounted at the transom, a forward L-shaped lounge with storage underneath and a forward facing bench seat aft. A folding teak table on a hi-low pedestal connects both lounge areas. Cushions are available if you want to transform this space into a day bed. There’s also another sun pad on the foredeck.
Steps either side lead down to the hi/low platform, complete with recessed swim ladder. From here you get access to the tender garage that is big enough to fit a 2.7m RIB. With the boarding platform down, you can pull the tender in and out without rubbing over the teak.
SUMMARY
Riviera now offers five Sport Yacht models; 6000 SY, 5400 SY, the newest of all, the 4800 SY, 4400 SY and the baby of the fleet, the 3600 SY. The innovative styling and layout design are carried through all models, with an emphasis on entertaining as much as having an efficient and excellent seakeeping hull. The 4800 SY does everything that is asked of it and more and it’s easy to understand why this, like the 5400 SY is such a popular model already for Riviera.
- Designer: Riviera
- Interior Designer : Riviera
- Builder: Riviera
- Year Launched : 2016
- LOA: 15.23 m
- LOH : 13.93 m
- Beam : 4.61 m
- Draft: 1.35m
- Displacement : 19055 (dry)
- Max Speed: 34.5 knots
- Construction: GRP
- Fuel Capacity : 2100 L
- Water Capacity : 400 L
| Performance Figures | ||||
| RPM | Knots | L/h | L/NM | Range (NM) |
| 600 | 5.1 | 6 | 1.1 | 1720 |
| 900 | 7 | 13 | 1.86 | 1018 |
| 1200 | 8.7 | 27 | 3.05 | 620 |
| 1500 | 9.9 | 58 | 5.81 | 325 |
| 1800 | 11.1 | 97 | 8.73 | 216 |
| 2100 | 16 | 134 | 8.38 | 226 |
| 2300 | 19.2 | 159 | 8.3 | 228 |
| 2500 | 23.9 | 179 | 7.48 | 253 |
| 2700 | 28.2 | 198 | 7.03 | 269 |
| 2800 | 30.2 | 208 | 6.89 | 274 |
| 2900 | 32.1 | 219 | 6.82 | 277 |
| 3000 | 33.5 | 231 | 6.91 | 274 |
| 3085 | 34.5 | 249 | 7.22 | 262 |
- Engines Make: HP 2 x 600hp
- Volvo Penta : IPS800
- Drive Train : IPS
- Generator : Onan
- Air Conditioning : Cruise Air
- Watermaker : Blue Water
- Sunroof : Webasto
- Tabs : Volvo Interceptors
- Anchor Winch : Muir
- MFD Volvo : Glass Bridge
- Base Price of Boat: $AU1,134000
- Contact : www.riviera.com
