Riva Rivarama: Eurostyling, American Style

Riva first started building boats in 1842 on Lake Iseo in Sarnico Italy, and became internationally known through the 1920s and 1930s, so it’s no wonder they’ve been bringing boats into the United States for far longer than most European brands. In fact, at one time this company was owned by a US builder—Whitticar purchased Riva in 1969. British ownership followed next, and then in 2000 Riva’s ownership was brought (or should we say bought) back home by Italian builder Ferretti Group.

Perhaps due to a long history intertwined with an unusual understanding of American tastes, Rivas have proved popular in the US. This 2004 Rivarama, currently listed in Fort Lauderdale, is a good example of why the Rivarama was awarded the title Best European Open Yacht not once, but twice.

The 44’ Rivarama provides a window into this company’s success, as well as an excellent example of Eurostyling in a boat that suits American boater’s tastes and needs. Featuring twin sunlounges aft, a cockpit with plentiful seating and a dinette, and a centered helm, the Rivarama also features curvaceous lines and a generous use of mahogany in the foredeck, swim steps, and trim, to blend form and function.

One European trait that may seem a bit odd to American boaters is the crew’s cabin (with head) accessed privately through the cockpit. Though few boaters on this side of the pond are likely to hire crew to run a 44-footer, this small cabin surely comes in handy for gaining some privacy during weekend trips with the kids. And the main cabin, meanwhile, is designed and fitted for maximum luxury. With a large pedestal berth forward, a dinette, galley, and head compartment, the interior décor maintains the Riva’s smart mix of good looks and effective utility.

Another differentiating feature of the Rivarama lies in its performance. Commonly equipped with twin MAN diesel inboards of 700 or 800 HP, this model cruises in the mid to low 30’s and breaks 40 MPH, while boats with the larger powerplants may reach speeds in the mid 40’s. New models built today, dubbed the Rivarama Super, all feature the 800 HP MANs and claim a cruising speed of 41 MPH and a top-end of 47 MPH. For a 44’ yacht, those are quite impressive numbers that few competitors will match.

While older models may drop below the $500,000 mark, newer Rivaramas maintain their value well. The highest-priced 44’s currently on Yachtworld hover just under the million-dollar mark, and were launched a few short years ago. If Italian styling and European flair are to your taste but you want a boat that’s as useful as it is pleasing to the eye, these are some yachts you may want to consider.

See all Rivarama models currently listed on Yachtworld.

Written by: Lenny Rudow

With over two decades of experience in marine journalism, Lenny Rudow has contributed to publications including YachtWorld, boats.com, Boating Magazine, Marlin Magazine, Boating World, Saltwater Sportsman, Texas Fish & Game, and many others. Lenny is a graduate of the Westlawn School of Yacht Design, and he has won numerous BWI and OWAA writing awards.