The Riviera 575 SUV - new luxury yacht model launching May 2016

Over 35 years of building some of the finest luxury yachts in the world, Riviera has made an art form of clean and uncluttered cockpits designed both for serious fun, and for serious fishing.

However, the 575 SUV takes this to a whole new level, with an entirely new cockpit design that really does fulfill the dreams of any cruiser or angler.

For one thing, it's 13.13m2 (141.3ft2) in size. You can imagine that when our talented team of designers set out to optimise this space they envisaged an entirely new indoor/outdoor experience – one that is ideal for live-aboard cruising.

So there’s plenty of space for a table and, well, numerous chairs. But it's also large enough to allow a mezzanine level and L-shaped lounge, the ideal platform to take in the fishing action … or the sunset.

Or, when underway, just an eye-widening view of the awesome, rapidly vanishing contrail of a 57-foot yacht, on song, at full throttle.

Stepping aboard

As you step from the Riviera 575 SUV’s large GRP swim platform through the transom door – which conveniently opens out and has a folding bridge for added safety – you’ll begin to appreciate just how this clever new cockpit design utilises every piece of available space.

The standard layout features a new-style three-seater transom lounge and storage bin aft, which can be converted to a live bait tank, depending on your specific needs.

Under the cockpit floor you will discover volumes of storage and multiple engineering access hatches – to port there is a fish bin and a massive centre lazarette.

Indeed, the entire yacht is virtually an Aladdin’s Cave of storage solutions.

Even the cockpit flanks are full of hidden storage for tackle, equipment or lines.

Also here in the cockpit are wash-down facilities – both fresh and salt water – a double-action manual bilge pump for the engine room and both flood and courtesy lighting, while optional rod-holders and a padded bolster can be fitted to the cockpit coaming. There are recessed cleats in the aft corners so lines won't snag, as well as toe kicks for bracing as you reel in your prized catch.

The corner scuppers below the recessed cleats are covered by handsome flush stainless grates.

There’s even a reinforced plate in the cockpit floor for an additional table or future game chair.

The elevated mezzanine features an L-shaped lounge to port with fridge, freezer and storage space under, as well as a folding table with cover. Behind the seat across the rear of the bulkhead is access to the lockable battery and AC control panel and manual bilge pump. To starboard in the forward corner, is a double barbecue, fridge, ice-maker, rubbish bin and sink.

The cockpit is complete with a covered joystick-control or thruster-control docking station to port, and triangular quarter clears both port and starboard are standard to keep any wind and spray out of the cockpit.

Safely forward

Wide walk-around side decks on the 575 SUV feature 316 marine-grade highly polished stainless bow rails with mid safety rail, as well as port and starboard rails in the cockpit and above the saloon windows for your safety.

The foredeck itself has options for a moisture-resistant closed-cell foam sun pad with stainless steel rails.

There are both fresh and saltwater wash-down facilities conveniently located at the anchor locker station as well as rope and chain divider, and winch with hand-held remote. The 100m (328ft) of chain is 10mm (3/8”) in thickness and galvanised, and there’s a chain-stopper fitted to the deck. The self-loading bow roller and 45kg (100lbs) anchor are, of course, stainless, as is the chain chafe plate that helps protect the bowsprit.

Of course all the cleats and fender holders are also marine-grade stainless steel.

Stepping inside

As you slide open the glass saloon door, set in a substantial, polished, marine-grade stainless steel frame, you immediately sense that you are stepping into a high-end modern apartment – a creative space designed to deliver all the delights of a lavish and contemporary city lifestyle.

Immediately to port there’s the aft galley – a generous and efficient two-person U-space just off to one side of any fore and aft traffic. Here, cockpit connectivity is cultivated with a wide opening glass window that brings the outdoors (and entertainment) inside, and confirms the galley as very much the 'conductor's podium' of the social scene.

The 575’s galley itself is akin to a display kitchen for the latest in premium-brand appliances and conveniences, complemented by satin oak timber cabinetry with teak accents above the solid-surface bench tops. Its warm heart is a stainless steel cooking array that includes a combination oven/microwave, electric three-element induction cooktop and rangehood. The refrigeration suite features both fridge and freezer drawers. And the well-placed dishwasher, within easy reach of the stainless steel sink and mixer tap, is also a back-friendly, easy-opening style.

Directly opposite to starboard, almost as an extension to the galley, are further fridge and freezer drawers that operate smoothly, as does all the cabinetry that opens and shuts on the 575, on soft-close runners.

But, then, everything on the Riviera 575 SUV is intended to run smoothly.

Wide open welcome

Right ahead of the galley the Riviera 575 SUV opens its arms wide to welcome you into the spacious and luxuriously furnished saloon.

Here, to port, is a C-shaped deluxe dinette (convertible to a double berth) encircling a drop-down table that can easily wine and dine six. Opposite, to starboard, is a generous L-shaped settee that provides ultimate comfort for at least five people.

Sink into any of these lounges and you can quickly appreciate the generous depth of padding and tailored upholstery, including the headlining, which make the boat feel so plush and sumptuous.

You will also notice the padded headlining has conveniently located hand rails, as well as both courtesy and red night-vision lighting.

But you’ll be forgiven for not noticing the spacious storage underneath the lounge, but then this is all part of the clever, unobtrusive way the 575 melds form with function.

From the saloon seating arrangements, (as well as from the cockpit) you also have a clear view not only of the almost 360-degree water-view vista, but the massive, wide-screen 48” LED TV that rises electronically from the forward dash, creating a floating sports arena or movie theatre experience that is enhanced by the Yamaha AV receiver with two zones and party function and the subwoofer-enriched, 5-speaker Bose high-fidelity audio system, with Apple TV and WiFi router.

If you wish, you can open the sliding glass side windows and the dual electric sliding sunroofs above that enhance the flow of fresh air and, in tandem and huge windscreen forward, draw in plenty of natural light to heighten the sense of saloon spaciousness, but can also be screened for privacy.

Or if you prefer to relax in air-conditioned comfort, that is also a standard throughout all living areas of the luxurious 575 SUV.

Stepping below

The extent of natural light filtering through the saloon and into the atrium flows through to the Riviera 575 SUV’s wide companionway and right into the accommodation deck.

Here, concealed behind the beautiful satin oak cabinetry yet very accessible when it’s needed, is a combination washer-dryer to ensure your complete comfort whilst enjoying extended time aboard, and even more shelf space for storage or, if desired, for a separate dryer.

Calming retreat within a retreat

The master stateroom, again defying convention for a vessel of this size, luxuriates right across the full beam. This sanctuary is accessed by its very own short, half-turn private staircase, continuing below the main companionway.

The master's king-size island bed with innerspring mattress and upholstered headboard detailing is set in the gentle ‘sweet spot' right amidships, with real dancing room either side; even allowing storage cabinetry along both perimeters.

The master also has long hull windows each side with optional opening porthole, as well as its own sofa, 32” LED TV integrated into a home theatre system, full walk-in cedar-lined wardrobe (with full mirror and shoe racks).

Magnetic door holders on all doors below are a nice touch too.

This stately master is a totally self-contained getaway space, served by its own private ensuite with solid surface non-slip floor (set slightly lower to contain water), vanity unit with porcelain feature sink with premium fittings, as well as a separate frameless glass, large-scale shower stall.

Complete retreat

The forward guest stateroom (or VIP suite, if they're very favoured friends) mirrors the level of luxury in the master.

Positioning a queen-size walk-around bed with innerspring mattress in pride of place, again with good side access, there is plenty of fragrant, cedar-lined, gown-length hanging space, bedside tables with timber tops and also its own ensuite bathroom which, with two-way entry, also serves as the day head.

Natural light filters into the VIP stateroom courtesy of fixed hull windows with tinted, tempered glass with blinds for privacy, while fresh air is delivered through two hatches, which can also be screened for privacy. There is also convenient reading and overhead lighting.

The air-conditioned VIP also has a 28” LED TV/DVD combination unit and stereo with iPod interface, including two speakers.

Accommodation for all

The starboard stateroom is also air-conditioned and features adult-sized upper and lower beds, also with innerspring mattresses.

This stateroom also has a mirror and drawers, a hanging locker with LED lighting and drawers below, a hatch with Oceanair blind, reading and overhead lighting.

The power is yours

The Riviera 575 SUV allows for owners to select their personal preference of either pod or conventional shaft drive propulsion to suit their specific geographic regions.

There are four choices for a drive package for new the 575 SUV:

Pod drive options

- IPS2-950 (533kW/725hp x 2) with D11 engines

- IPS2-1200 (662kW/900hp x 2) with D13 engines

Shaft drive options

- Volvo Penta D13 Series (662kW/900hp x 2) shaft drive package

- CAT C12.9 (735kW/1000hp x 2) shaft drive propulsion

Impeccable pedigree

The 575 SUV’s confident poise is just as evident offshore as it is at anchor – her solid and robust hull with keel is the evolution of Riviera’s rich 35-year heritage in building world-class luxury motor yachts that are proven in the tough Australian blue-water conditions.

Our leading-edge technology and legendary build quality combines super-strong hand layups with solid GRP hull below the waterline, structural core material in the hull flanks, main deck and hardtop, as well as precisely fitted, lightweight resin transfer-moulded small parts that are pre-fitted for a perfect seal when all major components are bonded together.

Reliability and reassurance are further engineered in, in the form of independent compartment modules throughout the hull as well as a watertight collision bulkhead forward.

Riviera's lamination technology also helps to precisely replicate the exact lines lofted from our design software, and this accuracy is flawlessly reflected in the deep gloss of the final isophthalic gelcoat exterior.

Even before a single piece of timber was cut for the plug work, the 575 SUV was created in-house using industry-leading Unigraphics 3D computer software, allowing Riviera’s team of talented and passionate designers and engineers to put to purpose all available space, with a firm focus on convenient access to every key maintenance point so any issues can be quickly identified and addressed, and service costs are kept to a minimum.

Of course, this thoughtful consideration for our Riviera family of owners is a key part of our ethos of doing all we can to help our valued owners achieve … ‘the ultimate boating experience’.