Riviera Delivers Its 6,000th Yacht
Riviera Launches its 6,000th Motoryacht
In an historic milestone a few days ago, Australian luxury motoryacht builder Riviera, launched its 6,000th motor yacht at its world-class production facility on Queensland’s Gold Coast. This is many more inboard-powered yachts than were built by either Hatteras or Bertram during their heydays. Viking Yachts announced last year that it had produced 5,500, a number Riviera surpassed about 5 years ago.
The 950-strong Riviera team, all sporting exclusive shirts to commemorate this triumphant achievement, formed a guard of honor to mark the distinguished launch, with much pomp and circumstance.
From Receivership to Triumph
The 900+ employees of Riviera have much to celebrate, as owner Rodney Longhurst bought the company out of bankruptcy just over 10 years ago. He assembled a team of excellent managers which are still with him today, and together with the inherited shopfloor personnel, built a brand that now has one of the best reputations in class.
Longhurst, who is a life-long boater and Riviera-owner, is very much a hands-on CEO, having worked in the carpentry trade as a young man. With his business success in another recreational field, he has literally led his team from the front lines (aka production lines), something which has often spelled success in the boating industry.
In addition to Longhurst and his dedicated team, Riviera has a remarkable 26-building plant on 41.5 acres (16.8 hectares) – the largest in class -- on a river in eastern Australia. The absence of significant debt, and a strong U.S. dollar are other factors that have kept Riviera quite competitive over the last 10 years.
5400 SY is the 6,000th
Longhurst said during the launch: “Our 6,000th motoryacht is an incredible achievement for the thousands of craftspeople who have built Riviera yachts over the past 44 years.
The yacht, an Iridium silver-hulled 5400 Sport Yacht Platinum Edition, will be delivered to long-time Sydney Australia based Riviera owners, Peter and Denise Haig. The couple have owned 10 Riviera yachts since their first, a 38 Open Flybridge in 1988.
Addressing the assembled team, Mr. Haig said he had been a proud Riviera owner since 1988. “The design evolution over the 36 years that I have owned Rivieras has been phenomenal,” he said.
Infrastructure and History of Riviera
Riviera was founded in Sydney in 1980 before moving to Labrador on Queensland’s Gold Coast in 1981, building just eight yachts in its first full year.
Riviera then moved 19 years later to its current 41.5 acres (16.8-hectare) purpose- designed and built facility at Coomera which was officially opened in the year 2000. It remains the largest of its kind in the southern hemisphere.
Riviera today is supported by a network of specialist representatives in the Americas, Europe and Asia as well as New Zealand and Australia. In the U.S., its headquarters for services and administration is in Stuart, Florida.
Riviera Production Numbers
Riviera creates around 150 motor yachts per year, more than 60 per cent of which are exported around the world. Longhurst said that Riviera had built more than 800 Sport Yachts since the first, a 3600, was launched in 2005.
The Sport Yacht Platinum Edition was launched in 2019 as an upgrade to its standard express cruiser design. Because of its striking looks, this model became an instant success. To date, more than 230 of this exclusive edition have been launched with the current range comprising the 4600, 5400 and 6000 models being enjoyed around the world.
Longhurst said: “We invite Riviera owners and boating enthusiasts to celebrate our milestone with us at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, to be held between May 23 and 26. Riviera will host a record display at the show, including the 6,000th Riviera which will star among a brilliant showcase of 12 luxury motor yachts from our 39 to 78 feet range, and include the World Premiere of the very latest Riviera.”