Australians must know something about building boats, likely, in part, because every major population center on the continent is located along the continent’s 16,000-mile coastline. Australians are coastal cruisers and spend a great deal of time in open ocean conditions. A vessel well designed for offshore conditions Down Under should be more than adequately stout for the typically more sheltered environs of the Salish Sea.
In the last 45 years, Australia’s Riviera Yachts has built more than 6,000 luxury cruising and sport fishing yachts. The Riviera brand is associated with a commitment to thoughtful yet innovative design as well as layup, fit, and finish to the highest standards. Riviera’s current product line includes models from 39’ to 78’. For now, we’re taking a close look at the middle-sized boat in Riviera’s SUV range, the Riviera 465.
Design concept
Sedan-style boats, like the Riviera 465, are enjoying a surge in popularity. Riviera’s SUV class combines generous access to al fresco activities on deck with elegant and luxurious cabin accommodation. The theme is consistent and seamless, with the everyday living areas and an abundance of aft-deck space on essentially a single level.
The Riviera 465 SUV is an example in which graceful style couples with superb functionality. A high freeboard, recessed walk-around decks, serious ground tackle, and a low center of gravity inspire confidence that the 465 SUV is more than capable of addressing a challenging sea state.
On deck
While the model designation suggests a length overall of around 46’, the actual measured length of the Riviera 465 SUV is just over 52’. The last several feet are incorporated into a generously proportioned swim platform. Nearly every owner of a Riviera 465 SUV will mount a dinghy on the swim platform, so the dimensions make a great deal of sense. When embarking or debarking the 465, access is going to be across the swim platform, but there will be adequate room to get “around” a dinghy mounted there. Twin transom doors, both port and starboard, provide excellent dock access regardless of slip assignment.
An open cockpit, offering abundant room for fishing and or crabbing activities, features a lazarette for stowage. An icemaker, refrigerator, BBQ grill, and bar sink are built into this area. Teak decking is optional for the cockpit and swim platform areas.
A joystick engine control is mounted in the port forequarter of the cockpit, strategically placed to be the preferred location for controlling the Riviera 465 if “Med mooring” or backing into a slip.
Dedicated access on both sides of the boat connects the foredeck with the cockpit. A continuous “footwell” design helps prevent loss of footing under way, and a well-secured stainless handrail will assist with confident balance.
The combination of a stainless anchor and vertical windlass comprise the ground tackle. The chain locker is accessed through adjacent hatches. A “sunlounge” on the foredeck provides a cushioned base and a flip-up backrest for use at anchor.
Absence of a flybridge on the Riviera 465 SUV does not, in any way, mean that there aren’t places to relax and entertain beyond the confines of the main cabin. Between the cockpit and the aft bulkhead of the main cabin is a thoughtfully designed area. This aft deck social area is protected from hot sun or chilling rainstorms with a built-in hardtop. The sides are partially enclosed. There is room to rig a temporary canvas across the aft edge of the hard top for full enclosure. If more fresh air and light is desired, two power sunroofs in the hatches open either fully or partially to provide it. Owners and guests will enjoy comfortable seating for six, three on each side of a serving table.
A fold-down window creates pass-through access and facilitates serving between the galley, (aft and starboard in the main cabin), and the aft deck social area. A video screen is tucked under the hardtop on the port side.
The main cabin
Access to the main salon is through a stainless-steel framed sliding door on the aft bulkhead. The door feels heavy but is well suspended and rolls easily.
The galley is farthest aft in the main cabin, with the sink, cooktop, convection/microwave oven, and primary refrigerator/freezer to starboard. Joinery throughout the vessel we toured is an exquisitely finished and expertly fitted hardwood. Riviera product information describes one of the available interiors as “walnut,” and that seems a good description of the color and grain.
Riviera provided more galley stowage as well as a food prep surface and even more refrigeration in the aft port corner of the main cabin, immediately across the companionway from the primary galley.
Thoughtfully included overhead in the aft portion of the main cabin is a beefy stainless-steel handrail. This feature is yet another acknowledgement by Riviera that this boat is ready to venture into seas where sometimes the old rule, “one hand for the boat,” even applies inside the cabins.
There’s a power sunroof over the forward half of the main cabin. The roof can be opened just a crack for a little fresh air or retracted entirely to let the sunshine suggest more of an “open air” boating experience.
The helm station is state of the art. Recaro seats for both the pilot and the navigator are supportive, comfortable, and adjustable. All the latest in electronic navigation functions, engine monitors, and more are seamlessly installed. The Riviera 465 SUV offers joystick controls for docking purposes, along with an AI-assisted program to all-but-automate safe and drama-free arrival at a slip.
An elongated, C-shaped settee occupies the port side of the main cabin, providing generous seating for at least six and buddied-up room for a few more.
There are several video screens aboard the 465 SUV, the largest of which is a fold-away unit in the port forequarter of the main cabin. This screen retracts into the space that some of us old-timers would have thought the “chart locker”.
The staterooms
Six people can sleep aboard the Riviera 465 SUV without resorting to converting the settee or other areas into berths. The seating in the covered aft deck can additionally fold out into a bed, if desired.
The primary stateroom is in the forepeak, with a walk-around queen-size bed on centerline. There is plenty of stowage for personal items. Large windows set into the hull prevent any cave-dwelling comparisons and two power-operated sunroofs will introduce as much fresh air as desired.
The en-suite head is in the aft starboard section of the primary stateroom, luxuriously finished and equipped with an electric flush toilet, dedicated shower stall, and a hand basin.
Aft of the primary stateroom and on either side of a companionway are the guest and VIP staterooms. The guest stateroom is to starboard, with full standing headroom only available immediately inside the door.
The VIP stateroom is to port, opposite the guest stateroom. The VIP berth features a double mattress (or a pair of twins) and offers standing headroom for most of the cabin.
The day head is to the port side of the companionway. It is slightly smaller but otherwise as well equipped and finished as the en-suite for the primary stateroom.
The engine room
Access to the engine room is through a large hatch in the covered aft deck portion of the Riviera 465 SUV. The engine compartment is finished in bright surfaces, with plenty of room to move about and service the equipment. All major systems are accessible in this compartment. One particularly thoughtful feature: a camera is provided to allow visual monitoring of the engines from the helm.
Standard propulsion on the Riviera 465 SUV consists of a pair of 600-horsepower Volvo IPS800 D8 diesels with Volvo pod drives.
Performance under way
We did not conduct a sea trial of the Riviera 465 SUV, but a synopsis of published reports from sources who have done so would lead to the following expectations.
“Trawler speed” is achievable at 1,250 RPM, cruising along at just under 9 knots with a fuel burn of 6.9 GPH.
Throttling up to 1,750 RPM, anticipate between 11 and 12 knots while burning 0.6 gallons per nautical mile (nmpg). This level of nmpg economy continues almost without exception all the way up to wide-open throttle. At 2,200 RPM (about 18 knots) and 2,600 RPM (just over 24 knots), fuel burn still reportedly works out to about 0.6 nautical miles per gallon (nmpg). While the 0.6 nmpg consumption remains steady all the way through 2,800 RPM (29 knots at 53 gph) economy falls off only slightly at full throttle. 3,050 RPM yields about 32 knots, at 65 gph or 0.5 nmpg.
With fuel consumption reasonably level above 10 knots, the question is then is not “how much fuel are you willing to burn to get to the destination,” but rather “how long do you prefer to take?”
Our inspection of the Riviera 465 SUV turned up a great deal to admire and truly little to question or criticize. While no boat is perfect for everybody, this one will appeal to people looking for a relaxing approach to a modern style and design. Fit and finish is excellent throughout. Anyone considering a boat at all like the Riviera 465 SUV would be well advised to schedule a tour.
More Information
For additional information about the Riviera 465 SUV, please contact Sun Country Yachts, located at South Lake Union.
- Website: www.suncountrymarinegroup.com
- Phone: 206-687-7456
- LOA: 52’2”
- Beam: 15’3”
- Draft: 4’4”
- Dry weight: 48,336 lbs.
- Fuel capacity: 660 gals.
- Water capacity 132 gals.
