2017 RIVIERA 57 ENCLOSED FLYBRIDGE - New Boat Library

STEPPING ABOARD... Over 35 years of building some of the finest luxury flybridge yachts in the world, Riviera has made an art form of clean and uncluttered cockpits designed for both for serious fun, and for serious fishing. This area really is any cruiser's or angler's dream. For one thing, it's 12.40m (133'50") in size. You can imagine 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 boat, on song, at full throttle.

HIDDEN TREASURES
As you step from the Riviera 57's large GRP swim platform through the transom door - which has a folding bridge for added safety and conveniently opens out - 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 great volumes of storage - to port there is a large fish bin, with a bath-sized centre locker and direct pod access starboard.

Indeed, the entire yacht is virtually an Aladdin's cave. Even the cockpit flanks are also full of hidden storage for tackle, toys 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, which conceal 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.

Even the corner scuppers below them are covered by handsome flush stainless grates.

SAFELY FORWARD
Wide walk-around side decks on the 57 Enclosed Flybridge feature a high 316 marine-grade stainless bow rail with mid safety wire, as well as port and starboard rails above the saloon windows for your safety.

The forward deck itself has options for a moisture-resistant closed-cell foam sun pad with stainless steel rails, or low-profile hydraulic davit with a rating of 350kg (771lbs).
There are both fresh and seawater wash-down facilities conveniently located at the anchor locker forward of the watertight bulkhead, as well as rope and chain divider, winch and hand-held remote. The self-loading bow roller and anchor are, of course, stainless steel, as is the chain chafe plate that helps protect your investment.


STEPPING INSIDE
As you slide open the glass saloon door, set in a polished stainless steel frame, you get the sense you are stepping into a high-end apartment, one designed to deliver all the delights of a lavish and modern 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 people 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 57'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, induction cooktop and rangehood. The refrigeration suite features both a drawer fridge and freezer. And the well-placed dishwasher, within easy reach of the stainless steel sink and mixer tap, is also a back-friendly drawer style.

Directly opposite to starboard, almost as an extension to the galley, is another drawer fridge and freezer. These operate smoothly, as does all the cabinetry that opens and shuts on the 57, on soft-close runners.

But, then, everything on the Riviera 57 Enclosed Flybridge is intended to run smoothly


WIDE OPEN WELCOME
Opposite the galley, to starboard and above the bar area, is the stylish internal staircase that ascends to the flybridge. Carefully designed to minimise any 'boxed-in' feeling or obscuring of views from the saloon, this floating teak tread staircase is elegantly suspended on polished stainless rails and strong steel supports encased in timber.

While this tempts us to head straight upstrairs, we'll come to the flybridge shortly, because right ahead of the galley and staircase the Riviera 57 Enclosed opens its arms wide to welcome you into the spacious saloon.

Here, to port, is a capital-C shaped dinette (convertible to a double berth) encircling a drop-down table which 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 spaces 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'll be forgiven for not noticing the soft-close drawers underneath the lounge, but then this is all part of the clever, unobtrusive way the 57 delivers savvy storage solutions.

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 all-enveloping, 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 that enhance the fresh air and, in tandem with the huge windscreen forward, draw in plenty of natural light to enhance the sense of saloon spaciousness but can also be screened for privacy. Or you may prefer to relax in air-conditioned comfort.

STEPPING BELOW
The extent of natural light filtering through the saloon and into the atrium truly does enhance the sense of space, and this flows through to the Riviera 57 Enclosed Flybridge's wide companionway and into the accommodation atrium. Here, concealed behind the beautiful 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 bed headboard 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 windows each side with optional opening porthole, as well as but its own sofa, proper walk-in cedar-lined wardrobe (with full mirror and shoe racks), 32" LED TV integrated into a home theatre system. Magnetic door holders are a nice touch too. This magnificent 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 mounted with porcelain feature sink with premium-brand fittings, as well as a separate frameless glass, operatic-scale shower stall. Indeed, all the comforts of home.


VIP FORWARD STATEROOM
The forward guest stateroom (or VIP suite, if they're very favoured friends) engenders no envy of the level of luxury in the master. Positioning a queen-size walk-around bed in pride of place, again with good side access, plenty of fragrant, cedar-lined, gown-length hanging space, bedside tables with timber tops and also its own ensuite bathroom which, with twin entry, easily doubles as the day head.

Natural light filters into the VIP stateroom courtesy of fixed hull windows with tinted, tempered glass and blinds for privacy, while fresh air is delivered through two hatches, which can be screened for privacy. The air-conditioned VIP also has a 22" LED TV / DVD combo and stereo with iPod interface, including two speakers.


ACCOMMODATION FOR ALL
The starboard stateroom is also air-conditioned has 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. Here there's a choice for an optional 19" LED TV / DVD combo and stereo with two speakers and iPod interface including two speakers.


ELEGANT FLYBRIDGE
Impressed? Just wait until you see upstairs! The new Riviera 57's fully enclosed flybridge is another complete revelation and, at first, you'll think you're still down in the saloon... So generous is the space. But blink and check again - there's a modern helm station up here, set fully forward for the cruiser and comprising state-of-the-art technology that includes the full features of the innovative Volvo Penta Glass Cockpit navigation and CZone digital switching systems.

We shall go into detail on these state-of-the-art technology when we sit you at the fully adjustable skipper's seat shortly, but first we invite you to try the flybridge's enormously comfy L-shaped lounge and hi-lo table, which has convenient and clever rod storage underneath, and slumber seat with fridge forward, which is ideal designed for relaxing in style while under way.

There's also a wet bar opposite and sink, all serving to keep you refreshed while under way, and nice and close to the staircase so the galley can easily feed prepared delicacies up to the gathering - simply send your request via intercom.

And if you desire your own personal soundtrack to the view: the air-conditioned flybridge area also sports a new entertainment system embracing 28" LED TV, AM / FM / DVD /CD and iPod interface stereo with 4 speakers.

Now look up: just as subtly integrated is a huge sliding electric sunroof which, together with slide-open side windows, creates a virtual sky lounge full of light, space and fresh air.

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

And aft: a rear hopper window and sliding door open out to the rear of the flybridge, which has a lounge and aft starboard docking station, including joystick (with IPS only), throttles and steering wheel for IPS, or throttles and bow thruster for the shaft-drive option, with the option of a stern thruster too. Clears, with zipper-opening windows, can be fitted here too should you wish to expand the flybridge space even further.


PLEASE, TAKE YOUR SEAT
The state-of-the-art, ergonomic helm of the 57 Enclosed Flybridge features two fully adjustable chairs - one for the skipper and one for their companion - each with arm and foot rests and from which all essential navigational and systems controls are within easy reach of the skipper.

Looking out through the three massive clear, tempered windscreens, you'll find excellent visibility of your beautiful yacht, its surrounds and the admiring gazes from fellow members of the community of boating aficionados.

Then divert your eyes to the all-new dash, which has