Riviera launches its new 57 Enclosed Flybridge

The newest member of iconic Riviera’s impressive and supremely seaworthy collection of flybridge luxury motor yachts – the 57 Enclosed Flybridge – will make her World Premiere at the Sydney International Boat Show in Australia (July 30 to August 3, 2015).

Stylish, sophisticated and sublime, the three-stateroom/two bathroom Riviera 57 Enclosed Flybridge – with full beam master stateroom – is the embodiment of innovation, from her fresh-thinking design to her state-of-the-art navigation systems, and right through to her final fit-out and luxuriously polished finish.

Riviera chairman and owner Rodney Longhurst says the 2015 Australian Marine Industry Exporter of the Year’s dedicated team has integrated easy-to-use and dependable marine systems into the new 57 Enclosed, including the full features of the innovative Volvo Glass Cockpit navigation and CZone digital switching systems.

“The Riviera 57 Enclosed Flybridge’s new and distinctive design has everything in perfect proportion but it is when you step aboard that the magnitude of the living and accommodation space reveals itself.

With her contemporary styling and impeccable blue-water heritage, the robust Riviera 57 Enclosed exhibits powerful and noble lines with muscular sheer forward and deep topside dimensions, giving her a freeboard akin to a much larger yacht altogether.

Her hull lines run straight aft from the maximum mid-ship beam of 5.13m (16′ 10″) which, in turn, provides an extremely buoyant lift and an easy planing surface, while her keel delivers straight tracking and great stability, enhancing her penultimate blue-water performance.

The Riviera 57 Enclosed Flybridge creates a whole new indoor/outdoor living experience with a clever new cockpit design, complete with large transom and mezzanine lounges, wet bar, barbecue, fridge and ice-maker. She also retains the cockpit connectivity which Riviera has made an art form, with an aft modern galley with high-end appliances and solid surface bench tops, as well as a beautifully crafted sliding door and awning window with solid stainless steel frame built into the rear bulkhead – the window opening out and over the mezzanine to position the chef right at the centre of the social scene.

The spacious and sumptuous saloon – which also features premium brand appliances and furnishings including two lounges – offers a clear view not only of the almost 360-degree water-view vista but also the massive, wide-screen 48” LED TV that rises electronically from the forward dash, creating a floating sports arena or movie theatre experience.

“Natural light and fresh air is introduced through opening tinted saloon side windows which, in tandem with the massive front windscreen, filter light below through the companionway and to the accommodation deck,” says Mr Longhurst.

“The master stateroom is located amidships in the most stable part of the yacht, and defies convention for a vessel of this size, luxuriating right across the full beam and featuring a king-sized bed and with upholstered headboard detailing.

“The forward guest stateroom mirrors the level of luxury in the master and positions a queen-size walk-around bed in pride of place, and also its own ensuite bathroom which, with twin entry, doubles as the day head.

“The starboard stateroom is also air-conditioned and has adult-sized upper and lower beds, also with innerspring mattresses and a deck hatch for ventilation, as well as reading and overhead lighting.”

The new Riviera 57’s fully enclosed flybridge is another complete revelation, and as you ascend the highly detailed internal staircase you arrive at the state-of-the-art ergonomic forward helm.

“Skippers will really appreciate the three massive clear, tempered windscreens with excellent visibility, and two fully adjustable chairs from which all essential navigational and systems controls are within easy reach,” says Mr Longhurst, whose passion for excellence underpins Riviera’s evolution on the world stage.

And it places the supremely seaworthy Riviera 57 Enclosed Flybridge at the very forefront of world-class recreational flybridge yachts of this size.

The flybridge is also enormous and comfortable with L-shaped seating which has rod or general storage underneath, table, slumber seat with fridge forward as well as a wet bar and sink.

Subtly integrated above is a huge sliding electric sunroof which, together with sliding-open side windows, creates a virtual sky lounge full of light, space and fresh air.

Aft is a rear awning window and sliding door – also set in a strong and highly polished stainless steel frame – that open out to the teak-laid rear deck of the flybridge, which also has a lounge and aft docking station with joystick, throttles and steering wheel for IPS, or throttles and bow thruster for the shaft-drive model.

And then there is perhaps the most heroic part of the Riviera 57 Enclosed Flybridge, the engineering department that makes it possible for owners to select their personal preference of either pod or conventional shaft drive propulsion.

“There are three choices for a drive package for new the 57 Enclosed Flybridge – a IPS2-950, IPS2-1200 or the conventional D13 shaft drive,” said Mr Longhurst.

The standard set-up is the very popular twin IPS2-950 (533kW / 725hp) pod configuration with D11 engines, which delivers Volvo’s impressive fuel efficiency, low noise levels, long cruising range and high top-end speed.

The IPS pod propulsion system already offers the joys of joystick maneuverability, Dynamic Positioning System for station-holding while preparing lines and fenders or while waiting off a fuel jetty, as well Anti-Corrosion Protection and Auto-Pilot, and optional auto-trimming features.

However, the Glass Cockpit takes the overview and control of engines and navigation, including optional charts, sonar and radar (even auto-pilot) to extraordinary new heights … and all in one place, and in the case of IPS, also extends to auto-trim and full slow-speed steering, as well as the outstanding maneuverability of SportFish mode, and the clean presentation of bait using the bypass exhaust features of Clear Wake.

“Of course the option is yours to upgrade to the new-generation IPS2-1200 (662kW / 900hp) system, with powerful D13 engines, or you can choose the innovative new Volvo Penta D13-Series (662kW / 900hp) shaft drive propulsion system.

The D13 shaft drive 57 Enclosed Flybridge models – also with glass navigation features at the bridge – have twin controls operating bow and stern thrusters both at the helm and aft flybridge docking station, as well as Electronic Vessel Control (EVC) levers integrating with cruise control, low-speed mode and single-lever mode. Courtesy of the Quickshift gearboxes, owners of the 57 Enclosed shaft drive models also have the choice to incorporate Twin Disc’s Express Joystick System (EJS) which smoothly and simultaneously actuates and controls engines, transmissions, propellers and thrusters, enabling a skipper to easily, precisely and confidently manoeuvre the yacht in challenging docking situations.

And with both pod and shaft drive models, the fully integrated CZone system enhances the ease of monitoring and operation of the Riviera 57’s onboard systems even further, extending centralised touch-screen control to lighting, pumps, batteries, entertainment systems and appliances.

Riviera has indeed put to purpose every piece of available space onboard the new 57 Enclosed Flybridge, with cutting edge computer software allowing Riviera’s team of talented and passionate international designers to maximise living and storage space while at the same time ensuring there is convenient access to every key maintenance point, ensuring service costs are kept to a minimum.