Riva is already the yachting brand most closely associated with divas, at least with those from the Dolce Vita era. So, when the brand launched a model called the Riva 82’ Diva, the yachting paparazzi snapped to attention. Does this flybridge yacht have what it takes to make her a star? We took her out for a spin to see.

A first look at any diva starts with her figures and the 82’ Diva has an overall length of 25.3m, a 6.1m beam and a 2.05m draft. Since this is a special kind of diva, we’ll also look at how fast she runs. With her standard twin MAN V12 1800 engines, she has a top speed of 29 knots and a cruising speed of 26, which rise to 31 knots and 27 respectively with the upgraded 1,900hp versions.

The yacht is produced at the La Spezia shipyard for Riva’s 76-130ft models, with the first Diva enjoying her red carpet moment last September when she debuted at Cannes – at the Yachting Festival not the Film Festival. It was also our occasion to see her up close and in person, so to speak.

Mauro Micheli and Sergio Beretta, founders of Officina Italiana Design, are the designers behind the yacht’s interior and exterior, working in collaboration with the Ferretti Group’s Strategic Product Committee led by Piero Ferrari and its Engineering Department.

The Diva’s exterior looks are eye-catching, with sporty lines and a gunmetal-grey hull that seems to be pierced by a lobster claw of glass that breaks up the line of the flybridge and keeps the look light and airy. You can tell from afar that the Diva is part of Riva’s stable by the trademark turquoise bootstrap painted just above the waterline.

WATERSIDE AND UP

Riva is known for being extremely attentive to build quality and as soon as board you can sense that the Diva is a cut above. The aft swim platform is dominated by a large sunpad, which sits on top of the hidden door to the tender garage.

The width of the large platform can be increased by a hefty 3m due to side bulwarks that fold down to become additional waterside settings. The opening bulwarks are a Riva first and they’ve proved such a hit that they’re likely to be incorporated into many more models to come.

Symmetrical staircases lead up to the cockpit, where twin couches face each other and look out – across a teak table embossed with Riva’s signature logo – over to the water. Even the fashion plates have large glass inserts to keep the view free and clear.

Protected side passages lead from the cockpit to the foredeck where two more sunpads and a couch form a long C-shaped social area. The flow is easy and natural, with any one of these outdoor spots looking like an ideal setting for a bit of glamour in the sun and fresh air – just grab your sunglasses.

SIGNATURE FINISHES

Riva’s signature logo adorns everything from table tops and thresholds to doorknobs and even windows, but the quality of finish and materials used aboard is also distinctive. The living area of the saloon is on the same level as the cockpit, giving the Diva an indoor/ outdoor continuity that’s easy to love.

Officina Italiana Design has selected luxurious materials like walnut and leather to give the interior an atmosphere with a bit of gravitas that contrasts with the sea views that flood in through the large, single-pane windows. The dining area is up a couple of steps from the living area, setting it apart without cutting it off from the rest of the communal space indoors.

Another notable feature of the main-deck interior is the helm station, which has three Simrad touchscreens to starboard and sits beside a fully equipped galley to port. All this in a single area that on many yachts would be dedicated to the bridge and the bridge alone.

While this combination of cooking and helming may seem strange at first, it can work because rarely are people cooking and helming at the same time, although there’s plenty of space for both.

A large window can separate the galley from the dining area, but just drop it down and you get a show kitchen where culinary talents can be demonstrated in a galley that offers views as good as the ones the captain enjoys.

CLASSY CABINS

On the lower deck, the accommodation includes two en-suite twin cabins and a full-beam VIP suite fore that receives extra illumination from a large skylight.

Midships and down a couple of steps from the other guest cabins is a full-beam owner’s cabin that has stunning views through large hull windows set just above water level. There’s plenty of storage in a full wardrobe and the whole cabin has a broody, dramatic air due to liberal use of dark leather and walnut.

Did a Hollywood diva once quip that the fastest way to end a marriage was to have to share a bathroom sink? Well, there’s no danger of that aboard the 82’ Diva, as both the owner and VIP bathrooms have double sinks in Corian or Statuarietto marble, as well as excellent natural light to help get the hair and makeup just right.

Also on the lower deck, with separate access through a dedicated companionway, is a crew area for three, ensuring guests will be able to enjoy privacy and a good level of service when they’re aboard.

FLYING HIGH

No diva goes yachting to sit around inside, and the 82’ Diva has a flybridge that’s the perfect setting for those wind-in-your-hair moments. With almost 40sqm of space, the flybridge has a large aft area that can be set up with loose furniture and an outdoor galley and bar that lets the good times roll.

A carbon-fibre hard top with a large glass insert shades and protects a dining area that has the upper helm station right next to it. While all these features are lovely and liveable, the standout feature on the flybridge could well be the immense sunpad that occupies the entire fore section, an excellent place to lounge under the sun – or the stars.

So, the 82’ Diva looks the part, but can she perform? Just spend a few minutes underway with her, especially at the outdoor helm, and you’ll be ready to sign her up. She handles easily and smoothly, and Simrad screens displaying up-to-the-minute info on all her systems make her a joy to direct.

Best of all, you can share the thrill of running her with an audience of friends and family. Because a yacht, no matter how glamorous she looks, is about time spent in good company, enjoying that special on-the-water dimension – otherwise, it’s curtains.

Board the Riva 82’ Diva and you’ll be thinking it’s the yacht that’s the protagonist; spend some time aboard and you’ll be feeling like a star. Need I say more? It’s a wrap.

www.riva-yacht.com
www.ferrettigroupasiapacific.com

This article was first seen on YachtStyle.co.

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