Riviera 505 SUV (2020-)

Brief Summary

On the new 2021 Riviera 505 SUV, the builder expects us to "escape, explore, relax and unwind." Sounds like a challenge worth taking on. This 55'7" (16.94 m) LOA luxurious three-stateroom bluewater cruiser with a full-beam master and private ensuite is powered by twin Volvo Penta IPS diesels.

Key Features

• Raised and covered mezzanine lounge seating with fold-out day bed 

• Two electric mezzanine sunroofs  

• Hydraulic swim platform  

• Cockpit in-floor fish locker 

• Full-beam master with ensuite  

• Two guest staterooms with dual-access shared head 

• Twin Volvo Penta IPS950, D11 diesels (725-hp each), joystick controls, and autopilot 

Test Results

Specifications

Length Overall	55' 10'' 17.01 m
Beam	16' 3" 4.96 m
Dry Weight	54,013 lbs. 24,500 kg
Draft	4' 5'' 1.35 m
Fuel Capacity	872 gal. 3,300 L
Water Capacity	122 gal. 460 L

Acceleration Times & Conditions

Time to Plane	7.1 sec.
0 to 30	14.3 sec.
Load	3 persons, 1/2 fuel, 2/3 water, 50 lbs. of gear
Climate	79 deg., 45 humid; wind: 15-20 mph; seas: <1

Engine Options

Tested Engine	2 x 725-hp Volvo Penta IPS950
Std. Power	2 x 800-hp Volvo Penta D8 IPS
Opt. Power	2 x 950-hp Volvo Penta D11 IPS

Captain's Report

By Capt. Peter d’Anjou

Mission 

Riviera’s 505 SUV melds single-level entertaining with highly capable bluewater ability, effectively combining two luxury motor yachts in one. The new 505 adds a dimension of comfort and style with the addition of a mezzanine: a beautiful wining, dining and relaxing space offering privacy and protection from harsh sun and weather year round.  

Riviera continues to pamper 505 owners with a full-beam master stateroom complete with private ensuite and walk-in closet. Family and friends will enjoy the VIP treatment with two private entry guest staterooms and a dual-access shared head.  

The 505 SUV’s broad generous cockpit is low to the water to maximize a full spectrum of water activities.  

Distinguishing Features 

• Aft deck mezzanine and sportfish-style cockpit combination 

Major Features 

• Cockpit BBQ center: electric grill, H-C sink/ shower, refrigerator, icemaker 

• Galley: dual element cooktop, convection microwave, refrigerator drawers, sink, hand-crafted cabinetry, optional dishwasher 

• Sliding windows and sunroof in salon 

• L-shaped dinette, lounge 

Design

 

Riviera designs and builds luxury motoryachts from 39' to 72' (11.88 m to 21.95 m) in length across five distinct model collections. A buewater Flybridge range, Sorts Yachts, SUV series, long-range Sports Motor Yacht, and the classic Belize Motor Yachts. 

Construction

Boat Inspection

Bow

A through-the-deck anchor roller supports a stainless-steel 27 kg. Ultra Anchor that is connected to a windlass. Large storage lockers flank the recessed windlass. A raised cabin trunk has a central sun pad in front of the tinted glass windshield with sunbrow overhead. Railed side decks lead aft to the cockpit. 

Salon 

The salon on the 505 SUV is entered through a sliding door from the aft deck mezzanine. There is a seating area on the right and a U-shaped galley on the left. Continuing forward is a dining area with an L-shaped banquet and a pedestal dining table just ahead of the galley. The helm occupies the right front of the salon. Massive side windows dominate, and together with the windshield up front and glass slider on the aft end, the entire salon is surrounded by glass. Open the motorized skylight and it feels as though we are on a private floating island with unhindered panoramic views. 

Galley 

The U-shaped galley has a hinged window with gas assist struts that opens the aft end of the galley passthrough style to the mezzanine. The interior dining area is just as open to the galley with only the countertop separating the areas. 

On the outboard side is an electric cooktop with storage cabinets above. 

Helm 

 

Twin leather bucket seat captain’s chairs face the helm console situated to starboard in the forward end of the salon. A sliding window adds ventilation and increases visibility during maneuvering. 

Accommodation Deck 

Master Stateroom 

Oftentimes the challenge in full beam masters is providing sufficient overhead height while designing the suite to be on one level. Riviera has done a good job of adjusting the levels in the entranceway and not in the master itself. The lit coffered overhead gives a sense of size while hiding the necessary systems.

Large hull side windows with opening ports contribute to the open feel as well. 

Master Ensuite 

VIP Stateroom 

The VIP stateroom has an island berth in the bow. There is a mirror over the headboard that reflects light from the hullside windows and the two hatches over the berth. There’s storage over the hullside windows flanking the berth and an additional hanging locker to port. A private entrance to the shared head is on the starboard side near the foot of the berth. 

Guest Cabin 

Day Head 

Mezzanine

The mezzanine offers a protected outdoor space, with the cabin top extending over the space and side windows extended with isinglass surround when desired. A unique place to lounge, nap, or catch a bite to eat, the mezzanine is an appealing retreat. 

The space is flexible with skylights, openings to the galley and salon, a daybed, and a pedestal table.  

A large in-deck hatch in the teak-lined deck leads into the engine space. 

Cockpit

The cockpit of the Riviera 505 SUV is somewhat reminiscent of a sportfishing boat in that it gives access through twin transom doors to the swim platform and water activities. And like most sportfish boats it steps up from near water level to the main cabin level of the salon and aft deck mezzanine. An outdoor galley/refreshment center in the cockpit also serves as a divider to the upper-level mezzanine with stairs centrally dividing the refreshment center. Steps outboard of the refreshment center leads forward onto the side-decks. 

Swim Platform

Engine Room 

The Riviera 505 SUV has an overall length of 55’7” (16.94 m), a beam of 16’3” (4.95 m), and a draft of 4’5” (1.34 m). The boat is outfitted with twin Volvo Penta turbo diesel IPS950 engines with a combined 1500 horsepower. With three people onboard, 436 gallons of fuel and 78 gallons of water we had an estimated test weight of 57,859 lbs. (26,244 kg). 

With 15 to 20 mph winds and a 1’ chop, we reached an overall top speed of 34.1 knots at 2580 rpm. Pulling back to 2200 rpm we measured best economic cruising speed at 27.9 knots while burning 48.0 gph, for a range of 456.4 nm, all while still holding back a 10-percent reserve of the boat’s 872-gallon (3,301 L) total fuel capacity that feeds both the mains and the generator. The boat holds 122 gallons (462 L) of fresh water and 40 gallons (151 L) of waste. When idling along at 600 rpm we were going 5.5 knots while producing 0.6 nmpg.

This boat is extremely quiet underway. Recorded at the enclosed helm, the dBA level at WOT was 74: it decreased to 65 at idle.

Handling 

Captain Steve called the handling “outstanding” and much more responsive than typically found on IPS boats of this size. She turned quickly in just a few lengths and did a 180-degree turn in 20 seconds. Mild test conditions didn’t truly test her sea characteristics but when crossing wakes, she had no pound or hull slap.

Price  

Contact your local Riviera dealer. 

Equipment to Consider 

Optional Propulsion: Twin Volvo Penta D11 IPS950 turbo diesels delivering 725-hp (533 kW) each. 

Standard Propulsion: Twin Volvo Penta IPS800 turbo diesels delivering 600-hp (441 kW) each.

Observations

The 505 SUV from Riviera fits nicely in the middle of their SUV lineup: 575, 545, 505, 445, and 395. She has the size for living aboard and exhibits a layout that is open and comfortable. We believe she will excel as a dual purpose entertainer and bluewater explorer.