riva yachts owner

Riva Yachts: how one Italian family created a nautical legend

By paula reynolds | May 2, 2021

Sophia Loren had one. So did Anita Eckberg and Sean Connery…as did violet-eyed Liz. Brigitte  Bardot’s had zebra print seats, and even George Bush was often spotted in his, breaking waves in the Hamptons. They’ve always been the nautical epitome of cool — and we’re not talking about the owners, but of the craft… the 100% Italian built Riva yacht .

Sleek, sexy, oh-so Italian…these streamlined vessels are known throughout the nautical world for their extraordinary quality, unforgettable design, and well…for having a suave factor that would be off the charts if suave charts existed. Even if you’re not familiar with the name, Riva yachts might hold a spot in your subconscious. Just for a second, visualize a bevy of the rich and famous motor-boating across an Italian lake, Prosecco in hand, or maybe a pulse pounding James Bond clip, our hero soaring over breaking waves as he escapes the ire of his latest nemesis. Odds are your imagination included a Riva built boat.

The Riva name is synonymous with luxury and glamour in the boat world, a brand that defies being classified as “just” a watercraft. It might even be more of a zeitgeist of ideology, of concept, of beauty,  a melding of style and function that make Riva one of the most desirable yacht names around.

It’s a remarkable story of serendipity and talent that led to the birth of Riva boats. While Carlo Riva (1922-2017) is considered the father of classic contemporary Riva watercraft, had it not been for a run of bad weather on the banks of Lake Iseo in 1842, Sophia would’ve had to settle for a much less classy ride over her Italian lakes.

Heavy rains pummeled the small lakeside town of Sarnico , forcing the River Oglio from its banks. As flooding torrents scoured the village, they carried with them the small fleet of fishing vessels, tumbled about like children’s toys. The humble boats experienced severe damage; immediate help was needed and found through the expertise of a young boatwright by the name of Pietro Riva . Newly arrived from Laglio, Riva quickly set to work repairing and refitting the vessels with skill and quality. His craftsmanship earned the village’s admiration and trust, and eventually Riva opened his own shipyard on the Sarnico shoreline. Pietro’s early production featured quality battel da pesca (fishing boats) and canotto da passeggio (pleasure craft) to suit the needs of the locals, but as his young family grew, so did his vision for his small company.

Pietro’s mastery of boatbuilding was the beginning of a legendary line of shipwrights. His son Ernesto introduced power combustion engines, a forward-thinking step that brought the latest mechanical innovations to the business. His insight introduced not only speedier transportation of goods over the lakes, but the launch of nautical tourism, as well. Ernesto’s own motorboat prototype was a success…and a lot of fun; why not offer tourists the chance to experience the wind, waves, and sights that he was enjoying?  

Riva’s visionary heritage continued when Ernesto’s son Serafino took the helm, bringing a major shift to the boatyard. It was after World War I and Italy was ready for distraction. Capitalizing on this, Serafino built and promoted high speed pleasure boats. Equipped for speed and agility, Riva power boats became the hot rod of the Italian lakes. Serafino’s designs quickly set the standard for the popular sport of speedboat racing in the 1920s and 1930s. Riva’s successful incorporation of efficient design and high-powered engines earned fame through multiple wins and titles in Italy and around the world.

“I want to build boats my own way I told my father…I started production in 1950 with six months of testing…It was the happiest day of my life.” ~ Carlo Riva

It wasn’t until Carlo Riva , son of Serafino, took the helm of Riva, however, that the seismic shift in production — and notoriety — began. With the skill, training, DNA, and drive of the Riva dynasty under his skin, Carlo revolutionized Riva design. After some serious head-butting with his father Serafino — who saw no need to change the line’s traditional success —  Carlo succeeded in forging ahead with his vision for a sleek, immaculately built boat featuring flawless functionality and glamorous visual appeal:  the nautical version of Italian flair and desirability. A new manufacturing facility was constructed in 1954 on the shores of Lake Iseo fusing state-of-the art innovation with Riva’s famed tradition for minute attention to detail and quality. Carlo’s vision set into motion Riva’s golden age of luxury watercraft; Riva yachts quickly became the coveted status symbol for those with an eye for ultimate fashion and function.  

The breakthrough, however, that imbedded the iconic Riva style in modern awareness came about in 1962 with the launch of the Acquarama. Using the design protocol of his highly popular Tritone , Carlo reimagined the boat to feature roomier passenger space, a sun deck that seemed to beg for bathing beauties, and other innovations that set precedents in the boating world. His signature feature of turquoise blue upholstery with a matching wheel was the cherry on top. Named #1 of the Top 100 Best Boats Ever by “Motorboat & Yachting Magazine” and “Most beautiful boat in the World” by the International Press, this “Ferrari of the boat world” still quickens the pulse in many whenever she shows up in movies or commercials — or lakeside if you’re lucky enough to witness one slicing through the blue.

Carlo sold his company to an American firm in 1969 yet remained active for several more years. A succession of non-Italian owners finally came full circle in 2000 when the Italian Ferretti Group purchased Riva Yachts. Active in production today, Carlo’s imprint remains strong within the company, evident through the breath-taking style, consummate quality, and suave elegance permeating every Riva boat from cruiser to mega-yacht.

Riva Yachts, a name synonymous with Italian flair and elegance, remains one of the most coveted brands today. Even if owning one is out of reach, it’s possible to get up close and personal with a visit to the Riva Yacht factory in Sarnico. Standing next to Ernesto’s first motorboat, or perhaps feeling your pulse quicken as you admire the Aquarama #784, the last classic model off the production line in 1996, can quicken the pulse of any fan of the beauty of Italian design and innovation. Carlo’s spirit is alive and well on the shores of his beloved Sarnico.

“… Designed with love, pure and strong like a pedigree horse. Unforgettable!” ~ Carlo Riva 

Sophia Loren ne aveva uno. Anche Anita Eckberg e Sean Connery… come anche Liz dagli occhi viola. Quello di Brigitte Bardot aveva sedili zebrati, e persino George Bush è stato spesso visto a bordo del suo, mentre navigava negli Hamptons. Sono sempre stati l’epitome nautica del cool – e non stiamo parlando dei proprietari, ma dell’imbarcazione… lo yacht Riva costruito al 100% in Italia. Eleganti, sexy, così italiani… queste imbarcazioni aerodinamiche sono conosciute in tutto il mondo nautico per la loro straordinaria qualità, il design indimenticabile, e beh… per avere un fattore di soavità che sarebbe fuori dalle classifiche se esistessero classifiche di soavità. Anche se il nome non vi è familiare, gli yacht Riva potrebbero avere un posto nel vostro subconscio. Solo per un secondo, visualizzate un gruppo di ricchi e famosi che navigano a motore su un lago italiano, Prosecco alla mano, o magari un filmato di James Bond, con il nostro eroe che si libra sulle onde che si infrangono mentre sfugge all’ira della sua ultima nemesi. È probabile che la vostra immaginazione includa una barca costruita da Riva. Il nome Riva è sinonimo di lusso e glamour nel mondo delle barche, un marchio che sfida la classificazione di “semplice” imbarcazione. Potrebbe anche essere più dello spirito del tempo, dell’ideologia, del concetto, della bellezza, una fusione di stile e funzione che rendono Riva uno dei nomi più desiderabili di yacht. È una straordinaria storia di serendipità e talento quella che ha portato alla nascita delle barche Riva. Mentre Carlo Riva (1922-2017) è considerato il padre dei classici motoscafi Riva contemporanei, se non fosse stato per un periodo di maltempo sulle rive del lago d’Iseo nel 1842, Sophia avrebbe dovuto accontentarsi di un giro molto meno elegante sui laghi italiani. Forti piogge colpirono la piccola città lacustre di Sarnico, facendo uscire dalle sponde il fiume Oglio. Mentre i torrenti inondavano il villaggio, portarono con sé la piccola flotta di pescherecci, trascinati come giocattoli per bambini. Le umili barche subirono gravi danni; fu necessario un aiuto immediato, che fu trovato grazie alla competenza di un giovane maestro d’ascia di nome Pietro Riva. Appena arrivato da Laglio, Riva si mise subito al lavoro per riparare e sistemare le barche con abilità e qualità. La sua abilità artigianale guadagnò l’ammirazione e la fiducia del villaggio, e alla fine Riva aprì il suo cantiere navale sulla costa di Sarnico. La produzione iniziale di Pietro comprendeva battelli da pesca e canotti da passeggio di qualità per soddisfare le esigenze della gente del posto, ma quando la sua giovane famiglia crebbe, crebbe anche la visione della sua piccola azienda. La maestria di Pietro nella costruzione di barche fu l’inizio di una linea leggendaria di maestri d’ascia. Suo figlio Ernesto introdusse i motori a combustione, un passo lungimirante che portò le ultime innovazioni meccaniche al business. La sua intuizione introdusse non solo un trasporto più veloce delle merci sui laghi, ma anche il lancio del turismo nautico. Il prototipo di motoscafo di Ernesto fu un successo… e molto divertente: perché non offrire ai turisti la possibilità di sperimentare il vento, le onde e i panorami di cui lui godeva? L’eredità visionaria di Riva continuò quando il figlio di Ernesto, Serafino, prese il timone, portando un grande cambiamento nel cantiere. Era il primo dopoguerra e l’Italia era pronta a distrarsi. Capitalizzando questo cambiamento, Serafino costruì e promosse barche da diporto ad alta velocità. Equipaggiate per la velocità e l’agilità, le barche a motore Riva divennero l’hot rod dei laghi italiani. I progetti di Serafino stabilirono rapidamente lo standard per il popolare sport delle gare di motoscafi negli anni ’20 e ’30. La riuscita incorporazione da parte di Riva di un design efficiente e di motori ad alta potenza si guadagnò la fama attraverso molteplici vittorie e titoli in Italia e nel mondo. “Voglio costruire barche a modo mio, dissi a mio padre… Ho iniziato la produzione nel 1950 con sei mesi di prove… È stato il giorno più felice della mia vita”. ~ Carlo Riva Fu solo quando Carlo Riva, figlio di Serafino, prese il timone della Riva, però, che iniziò la svolta decisiva nella produzione – e nella notorietà. Con l’abilità, la formazione, il DNA e la grinta della dinastia Riva nella pelle, Carlo rivoluzionò il design Riva. Dopo qualche scontro con il padre Serafino – che non vedeva la necessità di cambiare il tradizionale successo della linea – Carlo riuscì a portare avanti la sua visione di una barca elegante, costruita in modo impeccabile e con un appeal visivo glamour: la versione nautica del fascino italiano e della desiderabilità. Nel 1954 fu costruito un nuovo stabilimento di produzione sulle rive del lago d’Iseo, fondendo l’innovazione allo stato dell’arte con la famosa tradizione Riva di attenzione al dettaglio e alla qualità. La visione di Carlo mise in moto l’età dell’oro delle imbarcazioni di lusso Riva; gli yacht Riva divennero rapidamente l’ambito status symbol per coloro che erano attenti alla moda e alla funzionalità. La svolta, tuttavia, che incastrò l’iconico stile Riva nella consapevolezza moderna avvenne nel 1962 con il lancio dell’Acquarama. Usando il protocollo di design del suo popolarissimo Tritone, Carlo reimmaginò la barca con uno spazio più ampio per i passeggeri, un ponte sole che sembrava implorare bellezze da bagno, e altre innovazioni che stabilirono dei precedenti nel mondo della nautica. La sua firma, tappezzeria blu turchese con una ruota abbinata, fu la ciliegina sulla torta. Nominata n. 1 fra le 100 migliori barche di sempre dalla rivista “Motorboat & Yachting Magazine” e “la più bella barca del mondo” dalla stampa internazionale, questa “Ferrari del mondo delle barche” fa ancora battere forte il cuore a molti ogni volta che appare nei film o nelle pubblicità – o in riva al lago se si è abbastanza fortunati da vederne una che sfreccia nel blu. Carlo vendette la sua compagnia a un’azienda americana nel 1969, ma rimase attivo ancora per diversi anni. Una successione di proprietari non italiani ha finalmente chiuso il cerchio nel 2000, quando il Gruppo Ferretti, italiano, ha acquistato Riva Yachts. Attivo oggi nella produzione, l’impronta di Carlo rimane forte all’interno dell’azienda, evidente attraverso lo stile mozzafiato, la qualità tradizionale e la soave eleganza che permea ogni barca Riva, dal cruiser al mega-yacht. Riva Yachts, sinonimo di fascino ed eleganza italiana, rimane uno dei marchi più ambiti oggi. Anche se possederne uno non è alla portata di tutti, è possibile avvicinarsi a questo marchio con una visita alla fabbrica Riva Yachts di Sarnico. Stare accanto al primo motoscafo di Ernesto, o magari sentire le pulsazioni accelerare mentre si ammira l’Aquarama #784, l’ultimo modello classico uscito dalla linea di produzione nel 1996, può emozionare qualsiasi fan della bellezza del design e dell’innovazione italiana. Lo spirito di Carlo è vivo e vegeto sulle rive della sua amata Sarnico. “…Progettata con amore, pura e forte come un cavallo di razza. Indimenticabile!” ~ Carlo Riva

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How Riva Yachts Became a Legendary Boat Brand

“A Riva is the equivalent of a Ferrari, it’s something mythical; people have seen the boats in classic movie scenes and long to own one.”

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Port Hercules is nestled between the two extremes of Monaco . The imposing skyscrapers on the slope of the mountains on one side, and the Rock of Monaco, the Principality’s oldest district and home to the medieval Prince’s Palace, on the other. The beautiful Riva boats floating in the harbor’s salty Mediterranean waters carry the same mix of old and new—innovation and tradition.

They include the entire fleet of Riva models, from classical runabouts designed in the ’60s to the new generation of Rivas such as their latest creation, the 110-foot. Dolcevita yacht. “A Riva is more than a boat, it is a dream,” says Lia Riva about the brand that bears her family name.

“For many people I meet around the world, a Riva is the equivalent of a Ferrari, it’s something mythical; they have seen the boats in classic movie scenes and long to own one—if they do not already do so.”

She is the President of the Monaco Boat Service (MBS), which offers assistance to Riva owners and is the exclusive dealer of Riva yachts in Monaco and France. The MBS was founded in the 1950s by her father Carlo—the creator behind the “dream” that Lia refers to. But the story goes further back than that; it originated in northern Italy in 1842.

After a storm on Lake Iseo, the fishing fleet had been severely damaged, and the young shipbuilder Pietro Riva gained the respect of the locals after restoring several of the vessels. He soon started his own shipyard in the small town of Sarnico, at the foot of the lake.

The business stayed in the family, and it was Pietro’s grandson Serafino Riva who, after the First World War, changed the focus from transport vessels to motorboats. The next decisive step for the brand came when his son Carlo took over. In 1954, he built a larger, modern shipyard in Sarnico—the Riva Shipyard—and started ramping up production. Lia Riva was then four years old and lived with her family in a house not far away. She and her sisters loved spending time among the boats that were being built.

“At that time, large pieces of fantastic wood, including mahogany and cedar, were delivered from Africa and South America,” she recalls. “The fragrances that perfumed the shipyard were amazing.”

Even before she could walk, she was out on boat trips on the lake, and there is a photo of her as a blonde three-year-old where she herself holds the steering wheel, with dad Carlo, wearing a white cap and aviator sunglasses, close behind.

“I have many beautiful memories of the whole big family going out in two or three Riva runabouts to the big island of Monte Isola,” she recalls. “There we would set up picnics from baskets full of delicious things that my mother had prepared.”

Under Carlo Riva, the business eventually went from small-scale production, where each boat was unique and based on the customer’s wishes, to large-scale production of the various models he designed.

The inspiration came, among other things, from the recreational boats that American manufacturer Chris-Craft launched after World War II, and which he encountered during his travels to the United States. Carlo Riva had great ambitions and strategically chose to create his base in Monaco on the French Riviera, which then, in the 1960s, boomed as a mecca for movie stars, wealthy businessmen and royalty.

“He wanted to create an industry and decided to market the brand by creating service stations around the world,” Lia notes. “There Riva owners could have their boats in the water, someone who took care of them during the winter, and get different types ofassistance. He created about 30 of these stations around the world, including in Greece, Spain, Italy and France. Now this is a common phenomenon, but then, in the ’60s, it was an exceptional idea.”

During the ’50s and ’60s, Carlo Riva’s designs such as the Florida, Ariston and Tritone, gained worldwide fame; the Aquarama from 1962 became the most iconic one. There are countless photos of celebrities aboard these exquisite runabouts, including Sophia Loren, Gunter Sachs, Jacqueline Onassis, and Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace ofMonaco. They have all contributed to the brand being associated with class, wealth and luxury.

“My father was a maniac when it came to perfection,” Lia reveals. “He was extremely careful with all the details; if you look at his boats, they radiate beauty; and the inside is even more alluring. There is precision in everything, from the choice of wood to the elements in chrome and leather.”

Thanks to her father’s prominent network of clients, Lia got to meet many extraordinary people, such as the King of Morocco, Sheikhs from the Middle East, and members of the Rosselini family. As a teenager in the late ’60s, she and her father were invited by the Imam and billionaire Aga Khan IV to his residence in Porto Cervo on the Emerald Coast in Sardinia.

She also spent time with Sean Connery who was a good friend of her father and who, like the Riva family, had a summer house in Marbella in southern Spain. “My father was also friends with Brigitte Bardot, which made my mother jealous,” she laughs.

The Riva family often went on holidays in Greece, which Carlo was in love with. In the ’70s they owned a custom 92-ft. yacht, but they always used to bring an Aquarama as well. “Most people had never seen a yacht at that time, so it attracted attention,” she says. “But we still got the most admiration when we went ashore in our Aquarama.”

However, it took some time before Lia herself entered the boating industry. She had already started a family in Milan before she moved with her husband and daughters to Monaco. Since then she has been faithful to the Principality, and in 2010 she took over the baton from her father as President of the MBS. In that role, one of her main tasks is to take good care of Riva’s best clients. Like her father, she enjoys it immensely.

“I go out to eat with them and many have become my friends over the years. They tend to be very interesting people,” she tells us. In the late ’60s, Riva started producing vessels from fiberglass, but continued to make wooden runabouts until 1996, when the last Aquarama Special, no. 784, saw the light of day. Today, Riva has luxury yachts as its focus area, but Lia declares that the glamor around the brand that her father created is still very much alive.

“Between the ‘60s and ’80s you can say that Riva had its golden age with my father’s iconic models,” she says. “But really, the golden age of Riva is right now. People still love these boats, and even though we mostly sell large yachts [these days], many of the refined customers also have a classic Aquarama to go for day trips with.” The best of both worlds, in other words.

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Meet Bellissima, a New 130-Foot Italian Superyacht That Lives Up to Its Name

The newly launched vessel is the flagship model in riva’s flybridge range., rachel cormack.

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Riva ’s new fleet member proves that big and beautiful are not mutually exclusive.

The elegant superyacht, which left the Italian builder’s La Spezia yard on Thursday, spans an imposing 130 feet and is the largest model in Riva’s flybridge range. Fittingly, it’s also the new flagship of the series.

Named after the Italian word for “very beautiful,” the Bellissima is a looker, too, showcasing expert craftsmanship, the latest technology and high design. The model was penned by Mauro Micheli of Officina Italiana Design. The Italian firm, which Micheli founded with Sergio Beratta in the late ‘90s, has designed all of Riva’s yachts for the past 27 years. The Ferretti Group (Riva’s parent company) also had a hand in the design, of course.

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The Bellissima is characterized by a sleek planing hull and three simple lines that run from tip to tail. Similar to a sports car, the yacht features air intake grills, carbon fiber detailing and a dynamic hard top. It also sports extensive glazed surfaces that ensure the interiors get plenty of natural light.

With a wide body and a beam of roughly 26 feet, the Bellissima affords a generous amount of space onboard. In fact, Riva says it’s the first yacht in the range to have three “real decks” while also remaining under 300 GT. At the heart of the vessel, the main saloon offers sweeping 270-degree views, ceilings of over six feet and handsome rosewood accents. The lavish owner’s suite is located on the main deck, while four guest cabins with en suites sit on the lower deck.

Outside, the flagship’s redesigned stern area is lower and closer to the water. Spanning 645 square feet, it houses a large beach club and a cockpit. On the upper deck, meanwhile, there’s a dining area for 10 and two private balconies. Above this, the sundeck is the perfect place for cocktails. Elsewhere, there is a lounge and sun pad in the bow, along with a garage in the port-side hull for a Jet Ski, tender and seabob.

At 130 feet, Bellissima is the largest model in Riva’s flybridge range.  Riva

As for grunt, the Bellissima is powered by twin MTU engines that give her an estimated top speed of 22.5 knots and a cruising speed of 20 knots.

“When you see a Riva cruising on the water, a Riva Bellissima, everything stops and you can pause the world to enjoy a tailor-made miracle, an aesthetic experience that words can’t describe,” Ferretti Group CEO Alberto Galassi said in a statement .

Following sea trials, the Italian beauty will be delivered to her American owner.

Rachel Cormack is a digital editor at Robb Report. She cut her teeth writing for HuffPost, Concrete Playground, and several other online publications in Australia, before moving to New York at the…

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Riva’s First Superyacht

• By Diane M. Byrne
• Updated: July 28, 2020

In the early 1950s, a young man enthralled with his father’s boatbuilding company took over the family business. As sometimes happens when new generations step in, he wasn’t content to do the same thing his father, or his grandfather, had done. Strong ambition persuaded him to design and build pleasure boats, as opposed to the racing and commercial boats of the shipyard’s past. What’s more, he continuously wanted to outdo himself, focusing on creating motoryachts that were more than boats, as well as status symbols.

While the young Carlo Riva succeeded in all of this after taking the helm of Riva, there’s perhaps no better example of his driving ambition than the period from the mid-1960s into the 1970s, when he launched three limited series of motoryachts.

Not only were their steel hulls a marked change from the glistening mahogany of their sisterships, they were also far larger. The Atlantic series, at 88 feet, and the Caravelle series, at 74 feet, were astoundingly large for their eras. Between their style and the fact that they were faster than many other yachts at the time, they helped Riva find several clients.

More than 50 years later, the spirit of these series lives on with the Riva 50-Meter. It’s the first model in the Riva Superyachts Division and the second Riva constructed entirely of aluminum. At 160 feet, 9 inches length overall, she’s larger than any previous launch from the boatbuilder, but she upholds many of the same principles her predecessors established.

“She is full of personality, exactly like any other Riva yacht,” says Sergio Beretta, CEO and co-founder of Officina Italiana Design, the studio responsible for every modern-era Riva. “It is essentially a true connoisseur’s boat. In a nutshell, it is chic, and that is the whole logic behind it.”

Mauro Micheli, chief designer and co-founder of Officina Italiana Design, agrees. “It is certainly a boat with a very different character to its siblings” because of the LOA and four decks, he explains, “but references to Riva’s signature styling are a constant.”

That styling is well-known and detailed. For instance, Hull No. 1, Race, shows off varnished mahogany and stainless-steel handrails, complementing the metallic painted surfaces. Even the yacht’s wing stations have these handrail details. The richness of the high-gloss wood serves as a reminder that “artisanal craftsmanship is at the very core of each project,” Micheli asserts. “The handrails are the fil rouge [French for common thread] of the yacht.”

Further to the styling’s influences, Micheli mentions the Caravelle line, conceived in 1964. Its uncluttered, simple elegance inspired the team working on the 50-Meter. Though more angular than today’s yachts, the Caravelle had long lines and a proud bow—two timeless characteristics.

“They are the kind of lines that don’t necessarily set out to dazzle but still capture attention with their sheer simplicity,” Micheli says.

For the Riva 50-Meter, the studio focused on classic yet sleek lines. “Race has a great personality,” he says. “She has three straight lines that define each level. The design is clean. We refuse overworked, elaborate and redundant lines.”

Amid these lines are some of the owner’s particular requests. “He wanted lots of light and to enjoy the external panoramas,” Micheli says. While every Riva—indeed, every large yacht—these days incorporates large glass ports, Race’s owner felt it was especially important for the 50-Meter to have them, notably along the main and upper decks. Additionally, in an interesting twist on an indoor-outdoor area, the covered alfresco dining area aft on the upper deck has slide-open glass to each side.

In terms of the open alfresco areas, meanwhile, the owner wanted a front-row seat for when he was approaching shorelines. This explains why Race has cozy seating and viewing spots at the bow and up on the sun deck. Yet another request outside, for similar reasons: a walk-around hot tub and sun pads aft on the upper deck. The owner envisioned standing back here as Race entered a marina and tied up stern-to.

Inside is a relatively customary arrangement, with accommodations for 10 to 12 guests in five staterooms: a main-deck master and four guest staterooms below. However, the owner did request that the galley go belowdecks, with a dumbwaiter connecting it to each of the upper levels. The relocation of the galley permitted more room for the master stateroom.

With Hull No. 2 in the 50-Meter series under construction, Riva is poised to make its mark in the superyacht sector. Larger models are coming too, with the biggest being the 90-Meter (295 feet).

And while Carlo Riva didn’t live to see the 50-Meter launch, having died at age 95 in 2017, there’s no doubt he’d be proud. “The first time that engineer Carlo Riva saw the renderings of the first Riva 50-Meter mega-yacht, he said, ‘I’d like to try and cruise on her,’” Micheli recalls.

Perhaps the once-determined heir to the family business is doing that in spirit.

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Mauro Micheli on the design of Riva's new 37m flagship superyacht Mythos 122

It is common to talk about passion when it comes to yacht design – in fact, it is often used to the point of cliché. Yet spending just a couple of hours with Mauro Micheli, head designer at Italian company Officina Italiana Design (OID), the team behind Riva’s new 37m flagship superyacht the Riva Mythos 122, is enough to reaffirm that genuine passion not only exists in our industry, but can be imparted in buckets to anyone who strays close enough to take notice.

I sit in the studio’s magnificent buildings in the town of Bergamo, and as I talk with Micheli, OID’s CEO Sergio Beretta and other members of the studio’s team, the air buzzes with the excitement and passion of a company in total harmony with its projects.

Micheli idly scribbles on a piece of paper as we speak, and a simple yet beautiful, isometric view of a small motor boat on the plane develops before my eyes. It should come as no surprise really – Micheli harboured ambitions of becoming an artist before an opportunity to join the technical team at Riva presented itself some 30 years ago.

‘I won a contest because Riva was looking for an assistant in the technical department,’ he says. ‘I was studying art. There were 200 people in the contest and I won. I thought, “Riva’s a big brand, it’s near home and maybe it’s an opportunity,” so I left my art studies and started in Riva’s technical office. I was not really interested in the boat industry at the time. It was not too difficult because I was assistant to the main architect there and we were maybe a little separated from the rest of the technical team. It took me a year to get into the job and to realise that it could be my direction and life.’

It was in 1994 that Micheli and friend Sergio Beretta set up Officina Italiana Design, boosted by a contract from the yard to design and develop Riva’s boats. A series of iconic models followed, including the Aquariva 33 and the Rivarama 44, the Duchessa 92 and the Domino 86. It is from this heritage that a new model is emerging, set as Riva’s new flagship and coming in at 37 metres: the Mythos 122.

I spent the day before touring the yacht in build. It is an impressive departure for the marque, not least because it is Riva’s first aluminium boat – and this in turn has led to a collaboration with CRN, big boat specialists and sister to Riva under the Ferretti Group umbrella. Even so, moving to a new material when you are known for your GRP yachts is an interesting decision. ‘First of all,’ explains Antonio Campagnuolo, product management officer for the Ferretti Group, ‘aluminium allows us to offer many interior layout options for three-, four- and five-cabin versions along with other changes. If you build in GRP you cannot offer all these solutions. Secondly, we decided to move Riva to a different level – this is the first step to bigger Rivas and we want to extend the range at the top end.’

This change in material has of course brought challenges. ‘It’s our first aluminium boat,’ Campagnuolo continues, ‘so we have dedicated particular attention to controlling the weight – we have scales that measure every single part we put on board to ensure the final weight will be totally compliant with the project. We started with a minimum target speed of 27.5 knots.’

‘This type of boat is very important both for Riva and for CRN,’ explains Luca Squassoni, product manager at Riva. ‘For CRN this is more or less the first fast yacht built in light alloy.’

Key to the build side is the fact that Riva can draw on the expertise of the team at CRN, and in particular the workforce at CRN who are used to building with these materials. ‘The attention to weight and the detailing for quality are all new activities developed with the team at CRN,’ says Squassoni.

‘This is a project where all the design is completely integrated between Riva and CRN,’ Campagnuolo adds. ‘For the execution we have a dedicated team from CRN but with constant, day-to-day support of the Riva team – the people who every day when the sun comes up start to think Riva, and whose dreams at night are Riva again!’

The Riva/CRN partnership is not entirely new: in 1970 Carlo Riva had teamed up with CRN to build six 23.5 metre yachts, two 27 metres and one 30 metre over an eight-year period. And the historical connection extends to the design side: Micheli has, after all, been designing Rivas for nigh on 30 years.

‘In fact,’ Beretta smiles, ‘we’re a bit like the historical memory of the shipyard. Riva has the DNA to do something different, to lead the market. Even the big boats like the Mythos project we see as big toys – you have to enjoy them, you have to dream when you buy a boat. There is an emotional part that is very important. The Mythos 122,’ Beretta continues, ‘is the evolution of the Domino 86. It keeps the family feel of the Domino with more space and more comfort.’

That space has translated into what will be a comfortable and impressive yacht, with a large main deck diner/saloon, an impressive wheelhouse area under sleek, sloping windscreen elements, a generous and versatile sundeck, and between three and five cabins in various configurations on the lower deck. The owner of the first Mythos – who is moving up from a Domino 86 – has opted for a large full-beam midship master suite covering close to 40 square metres complete with 2.24 metre headroom and just two further, VIP-size guest cabins. He has also specified his own sundeck layout including a spa pool and a bar.

The interior spaces, in spite of the sleek exterior lines, are still impressive. The saloon is over nine metres long – competitive for this size bracket – while materials used include four key cues: white lacquered surfaces, brown leather, polished stainless steel and black walnut. Guest bathrooms feature Corian finishes (a stone-hard blend minerals and acrylics), while the master en suite uses Laminam (a super-thin porcelain slab). The owner of the first Mythos has also had a hand in the galley design, as food and cooking is a particular passion. The space includes a small breakfast table in the corner, designed so that the owner can enjoy spending time here.

The deck spaces are also impressive, with a comfortable aft deck, decent swim platform, and an inviting foredeck seating area with sunpads over a large foredeck locker that can be used either as a large bosun’s locker or as stowage for an additional tender/jet ski. Just inside from the starboard guest entrance is a dayhead that also features a full shower – perfect for a rinse following a sunning session on the foredeck. The main garage aft is actually divided in two, with one compartment on either side of the centreline served by its own transom door. An electro-hydraulic launch system ensures easy deployment and recovery of the tenders and toys.

The engine room benefits from the CRN input and is a well thought-through space. ‘She’s not a big boat,’ enthuses CRN project manager Nicola Englesos. ‘She’s a small ship.’

The engine package on the first hull comprises twin MTU V12 4000 M93 units to push the yacht to a designed top speed of 27.5 knots. At a cruise speed of 25 knots range is projected to be 400 nautical miles from the 18,5000 litres of fuel, with a long-range cruise speed of 11 knots giving a range of 1,000 miles. The engineering department has gone to great lengths to study the vibration, thermal and acoustic properties of the yacht to ensure that proper insulation is added.

It is, perhaps, the view from afar that is the most striking, though. The lines of the Mythos 122 – which are coupled to naval architecture from the Ferretti Group’s own in-house team – are lithe and rakish, although care has been taken to create a design that is more timeless than challenging – and her sleek profile is emphasised by use of a new Regal Silver paint colour offset by metallic black, with a varnished black coachroof also extending the black windscreen to the forward part of the sundeck. It is this approach to the overall look that is particularly important to Micheli and the designers at OID.

‘There are other designers,’ concludes Micheli, ‘who start from the interior, and the lines are a compromise of what they want inside. We approach a project thinking that an object must be harmonious in itself from the outside, then we find the spaces for what we need. We always believe our boats must be like sculpture.’

Micheli gives a final flourish and his sketch is finished. It is a demonstration of natural artistic talent, combined with evident passion, which has translated beautifully into the new Riva flagship.

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The story of classic Riva yachts go right back to 1842 , when a young Pietro Riva began repairing and building yachts on Lake Iseo in northern Italy. But it was his great-grandson, the legendary  Carlo Riva , who had the vision to create a range of wooden-hulled speedboats that were to become the epitome of the jet-set era of the 1950s and 1960s.

Carlo Riva was inspired by the products of the American yacht builder Chris-Craft, for which he was an agent, and he used Chris-Craft and Chrysler engines in his classic Riva yachts. We trace the history of the most popular classic Rivas, and round up a few of the most memorable Rivas of all time…

This sporty Riva classic yacht was equally well suited for a day of sunbathing or watersports.

Featuring a large, sunken sun deck and often seen towing water-skiers, this sporty Riva classic yacht was equally well suited for a day of sunbathing or watersports. The Riva Florida is propelled by a single engine and ranged from 5.59 metres to 6.27 metres in her Super Florida size. Though she was built in Italy, like her brethren, her sun-loving demeanour earned her the moniker of the US “Sunshine State” and was named after Florida as at the time it was the place most closely linked with the sport of waterskiing. In her time in build, 426 Florida Rivas were delivered, including 711 of the bigger and more powerful Super Florida models.

Only one left from 40 boats

Corsaro (1946-55): Only one yacht is thought to survive from the 40-strong pack of the first range of classic Riva yachts. The two-seater Corsaro Riva series was designed by Carlo Riva, based on the AR Sport motor boat. Production started on 1950, and the series ranged in length from 4.8 to 5.65 metres LOA and she was fitted with various engines.

Perhaps the best-known by sight classic Riva yacht.

Certainly one of the most popular, is the Ariston, which was built for nearly 25 years. The single-engine Ariston measures 6.7 meters and features a distinctive rounded stern and wooden sax board. There were 823 Riva Ariston yachts built and another 189 Super Aristons delivered.

The first twin-engine classic Riva yacht

The first twin-engine classic range Riva yacht was the Tritone, in build from 1950-1966. While 221 of the standard Tritone version were delivered, far fewer of the far more desired Super Tritone came into being, with only 21 hitting the water. At nearly eight metres LOA, the Super Tritone was a long, powerful version of Riva’s Tritone, its biggest thus far. The Super Tritone is valued at €200,000-€300,000.

• Tritone Special

The rarest Riva speedboat

Riva owners may commonly have been rich and famous, but it was rare to get special treatment; however, Carlo Riva broke his rule in the case of the Como industrialist, champion sailor and Riva patron, Achille Roncoroni. In 1960, Roncoroni persuaded the company to build him a one-off version of the Tritone Special model classic Riva yacht. He wanted the best, fastest and largest Riva ever. What he got was an 8.3 metre wood-clad wonder powered by two high-performance, marinised Cadillac Eldorado V8 engines, each producing 325hp to push the boat to a stunning 60mph. The unique interior had red, white and blue front seats that could be laid flat to let occupants sunbathe away from prying eyes. The dashboard featured sparkling, chrome bezel instruments befitting the Cadillac-powered Special.

Roncoroni used the boat,  Ribot III , mostly on Como, and kept her until 1970 before selling her on to the second owner who has owned this classic Riva ever since. And, true to his word, Carlo Riva ensured  Ribot III  remained a one-off, even turning down a request for a similar craft from King Hussein of Jordan.

The most expensive classic Riva yacht

The original Riva Aquarama line was delivered from 1962 to 1972. This included first classic Riva Aquarama yacht, of which 288 were sold, and the Super Aquarama, with 203 splashing. The Aquarama Special then emerged, running from 1972 to 1996 with 278 boats built.

The most expensive classic Riva ever built was probably an Aquarama, which crossed the block at Mecum Auctions in Kissimmee, Florida, back in 2011, for an impressive $975,000. Bidders from around the world competed to own the boat, which was considered extra special, because it was the last of the original, wooden-hulled Rivas to be sold to the public. Hull No 774 was completed in 1996 and delivered new to the founding family of the giant Sony Corporation on 23 December 1998.

Surely the ultimate Christmas present, it was one of six “End of the Era” commemorative editions produced. Its owners, however, clocked up fewer than 20 hours aboard her in 12 years, with their most ambitious voyage being a return trip across Lake Garda for lunch.

The celebrity’s choice of Riva

The Riva Junior was the late 1960s replacement for the basic Riva Florida. At 5.6 metres, the classic Riva yacht model Junior found fame as the choice of the celebrity set such as Brigitte Bardot and Peter Sellers. The Riva Junior is valued at €30,000-€40,000.

The modern classic Riva speedboat

Despite the move into fibreglass — and now superyacht-size yachts even — Riva’s current owner, the Ferretti Group, is still passionate about preserving the essence of classic Riva yachts in its new runabouts. In 2001, a year after Ferretti Group purchased Riva, the Aquariva was launched. This 11-metre yacht was specifically designed as a successor to the inimitable Aquarama. Though built in GRP, her sweet exterior lines and wood detail harken back to the days of a bygone era when the first classic Rivas plied the waters.

The newest Riva speedboat

Launched in June 2016, the Rivamare is the newest addition to the Riva collection. Despite her effortlessly classic styling, the 11.88 meter Rivamare is packed with modern technology, such as underwater lighting, air conditioning, an electro-hydraulic bimini shade and a Seakeeper NG5 stabilizer.

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Riva, the new jewel. The world of yachting is ready to welcome the first 50-METER M/Y RIVA

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he first 50-meter yacht by Riva will be built in the Group’s shipyards in Ancona, which specialize in the construction of steel, aluminum and composite material yachts between 45 and 90 meters in length and which will witness the birth of this new yacht after building the brand’s current flagship, the 122’ Mythos.

THE NEW RIVA RANGE IN STEEL IS BORN. THE FUTURE IS LARGER THAN EVER.

During the 2014 monaco boat show riva presented   its innovative full custom line, which, starting from   the first 50-meter project, will develop further   with a second 68-meter yacht, and will reach   lengths of 100 meters over the next few years, “i’d love to try and cruise with her…”  is the wish expressed by eng. carlo riva himself. the same wish shared by the entire world of yachting, who is ready to welcome riva’s new jewel..

“Building in fiberglass is undoubtedly easier than building in wood. Building well, though, is difficult.” Paraphrasing this statement made by Carlo Riva in the late 1960s by replacing the word fiberglass with the word steel would be enough to summarize the inextinguishable drive that has always pushed the iconic brand of worldwide yachting towards the future and innovation, heading for perfection.

Because this is Riva’s DNA: it was in the past as much as it is in the present. Today, the brand has chosen one of its most beloved locations, Montecarlo, and particularly the charming Aquarama Lounge, on the terrace of the Yacht Club de Monaco, to announce that it is ready to seduce the world once more, making its debut in a market segment to which its reputation has naturally led it and to which it has ideally always belonged.

Riva is announcing the creation of its new full custom line in steel, which, starting off with a first 50-meter long project, followed by a second 68-meter yacht, will develop further over the next few years to include a range of crafts up to 100 meters in length. Between the 1960s and the 1970s, Eng. Carlo Riva, through his Yacht Division, had started to ‘think big’ – first by cooperating with Northern European shipyards and building the famous “Caravelle” and “Atlantic” M/Y series; then establishing a historic partnership with CRN, thanks to which six motor yachts exceeding 20 meters in length in the “Marco Polo” series and two 90-foot and 100-foot “Vespucci” crafts were built between1970 and 1978. Today, his project turns into reality. And the baton, in this relay, has ideally been taken by ‘his’ Riva company, now a member of the Ferretti Group.

 Alberto Galassi, Ferretti Group’s CEO, is understandably very excited to present this new adventure: “Just over three months ago, again in Montecarlo, we celebrated the debut of the 122’ Mythos, the flagship of the brand and Riva’s first yacht to be entirely built using a light alloy. Today is another extraordinary day, because Carlo Riva’s idea to build large yachts is finally turning into reality. Riva is ready to step into this market segment as a leader. Thanks to the support of our shareholders, who are truly in love with this brand, and thanks to the efforts of the numerous teams involved in this project, we will be able to offer owners magnificent works of art cruising the seas, characterized by Riva’s unmistakable style. From now on, everybody will immediately recognize a Riva creation not only when looking at an Iseo, an 86’ Domino or a 122’ Mythos, but also when admiring one of these new yachts-to be.”

Riva’s new line will include displacement yachts fully customizable by the owner in terms of fittings and interior decor and will be characterized by a very innovative look and style, somehow different from Riva’s traditional classical lines. Featuring slender, streamlined and dynamic profiles and a very sober, clean design, these yachts will be truly unique works of art fully embodying Riva’s DNA. Every owner will enjoy a unique experience: supported by Officina Italiana Design – the firm that deigns the brand’s entire range – and by Ferretti Group’s engineers, architects and designers, as well as by his own consultants, he will embark upon a fascinating path that, day after day, will lead him to owning something more than any other owner in the world – ‘his own’ Riva mega yacht, a unique creation by an iconic yachting brand.

Mauro Micheli, the designer and co-founder, with Sergio Beretta, of Officina Italiana Design, is really enthusiastic about this project: “I am thrilled by this new challenge and can’t wait to ‘dive’ into designing this new line. Riva – continues Micheli – is probably the only yachting brand that has been capable of creating, throughout its history, true icons which can be recognized everywhere in the world. And it managed to do so because it was always focused on innovation and perfection. Aquarama – only to mention the most famous model – was so innovative mainly as a result of its creators’ constant search for flawless quality. Thus drive towards perfection is inextinguishable for us too, who have ideally taken the baton of Riva’s tradition. This is why I am so eager to start. Riva is ready to ‘leave its mark’ also on these future ‘giants of the sea’.”

50-METER M/Y RIVA

Various very spacious areas will be devoted to relaxation and entertainment, to make sure all guests can enjoy onboard life to the fullest and in the utmost comfort during both daytime and nighttime. While the large outdoor dinette at the bow (located just before a garage fitting thesecond tender and the technical area with two jet skis), will ensure the utmost privacy, the aft part of each deck will be fitted with large outdoor spaces to be used for meals or simply relaxation.

The cockpit on the main deck will include a lounge area with fixed sofas facing each other, while the upper deck may be furnished with a large dining table; the sun deck will feature freestanding seats plus a Jacuzzi with sun pads and loungers arranged around it at the bow. The aft area on the lower deck is really magnificent – a real beach club with a cocktail bar and an indoor living room that can be further extended outside, both towards the stern – thanks to the collapsible door turning into a swimming platform – and to starboard, thanks to a second optional door converting into a terrace at the sea level. The innovative float-in garage, which can store a tender up to almost 6 meters in length, will in turn open on the left bulwark, allowing for very easy launching and haulage operations.

The interior decor and fittings will be fully customizable to the owner’s taste. The shipyard will propose several layout versions for the main deck and the upper deck, which may be entirely arranged as living areas or include alternating lounge areas and stylishly furnished dining areas. The true protagonist on the main deck will be the master stateroom, which will be located across the entire bow area and will include four different sections: a private living room, a large walk-in wardrobe, a double room, and, at the extreme bow, an amazingly wide bathroom with two toilets and twin washbasins. Both bulwarks in this suite may be collapsible upon request, thus creating exclusive terraces overlooking the sea. The guest area, below deck, includes four VIP cabins, all having similar sizes and features and fitted with a double bed, a vanity set-desk area, and a large private head. Upon request, the guest cabins can be replaced by other rooms allowing the owner and his guests to enjoy their spare time in total relaxation, for example a gym or a SPA, or even a second master cabin.

Great care has been devoted to the crew quarters too. The galley, located on the main deck, the pilot station on the upper deck, and the sailor cabins on the lower deck will all be connected, thereby allowing the crew to move unseen without affecting the guests’ privacy. While the owner will be able to enjoy almost ‘royal’ spaces, the captain too will benefit from a carefully designed and very comfortable en-suite cabin, located to starboard on the upper deck. This will be part of a larger area entirely devoted to technical operations and strategically arranged behind the pilot station room. The crew cabins, located on the lower deck, will host up to eight more staff members in one en-suite cabin for the hostesses and two more double cabins, with bunk beds, for the sailors. The crew quarters will also include a large dinette with a galley.

The new 50-meter Riva may be equipped with two possible engine sets: either two CAT C32 2100 rpm engines or two MAN D2862 LE 466 2100 rpm engines, both capable of pushing the yacht to a maximum speed of 15 knots and a cruising speed of 14 knots (preliminary data). The transatlantic range at a cost-saving cruising speed of 11 knots is extremely interesting, as it will reach 3,800 nautical miles. Two zero speed stabilizing fins will be installed standard, to ensure maximum comfort and stability even when the yacht is at anchor.

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54Metri Project

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Riva 50METRI turns Carlo Riva’s dream into reality. Driven by an inspired ambition to break new ground, he created the great steel motor yachts in the celebrated Caravelle and Atlantic series during the ’60s and ’70s. His concept of experiencing the sea and the open-air life to the full achieves its finest expression yet in the new flagship. All the design decisions blend functionality and aesthetics to perfection, for optimum liveability in every outdoor space and an interrupted panorama towards the coast or horizon. Riva 50METRI reflects and even enhances the brand’s aesthetic prestige and hallmark style, giving her owner a cruising experience with supreme standards of comfort and in total peace of mind. Infinitely Riva.

MTU 8v 4000 M63

Laden displacement

450000 [kg]

Steel/Aluminium

Cruise speed

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Ferretti S.p.A.

Tax code and VAT no. 04485970968 Registered Office Via Irma Bandiera, 62 – 47841 Cattolica (RN) Italy REA no. RN 296608 - Companies Register no. 04485970968 Share capital € 338.482.654,00 fully paid-up PEC: [email protected]

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If you are a Riva yacht owner or buyer, our online yachting magazine can provide information to help you. YachtForums brings you the latest news from Riva yachts, including the most recent yacht & ship launches, company news, archive pictures, and recommendations on restoring, re-fitting, updating or upgrading Riva yachts. Please take a moment to register. Then, post a thread in the Riva Forums and tell us about a yacht you've owned, a boat you intend to buy, yachts for sale or a yacht you have worked on. Please feel free to upload pictures, share a story, cruise destinations or marina information. We're glad to have you onboard! The YachtForums Crew

volfkan Active Member

today order aquariva super (2024 delivery) For those wondering about equipment and color prices pdf my spec shiny grey metalic,all wood shiny mahogany,sterling weel and all seats white hermes leather

Congrats! The perfect compliment to your GT3!! Keep us updated on the build progress.

YachtForums said: ↑ Congrats! The perfect compliment to your GT3!! Keep us updated on the build progress. Click to expand...

build info, 15 january start build. body color no change but leather chocolate brown detail update.storage winter cover and factory delivery semi truck trailer order to.

very busy mounth after update aquariva super color grey bronze chance (old classıc color) and rose gold 500e change mineral grey cabrio bocelli (very nice daily car) maybe 66 ribelle order to (still think)

open series dolceriva options list add hardtop (2 sold,usa & canada)

aquarama and aquarama super the difference? aquarama (33) aquara super type 33,I added it to my boat with a special request.

1961 ariston full electric conversion 140kw 185hp

Some people in the queue canceled their orders due to payment problems, my boat will be delivered earlier. end of October or November abyc surveyor next week go look by boat

volfkan said: ↑ Some people in the queue canceled their orders due to payment problems, my boat will be delivered earlier. end of October or November Click to expand...

fresh delivery

she litte shy but one more colour moon sand (riva exculisive colour) smilar grey sand. this one bronze look but sunny sea colour shiney silver,interesting colour. total 6 boat this colour have. interior light beige and cholate detail have,full teak floor. La Dolce Vita

Capt Ralph Senior Member

Super fine. Look forward to your trials and travels.

Liam Senior Member

volfkan said: ↑ aquarama and aquarama super the difference? aquarama (33) View attachment 101826 aquara super View attachment 101827 type 33,I added it to my boat with a special request. Click to expand...

today final stage paper work,110 dolcevita ordering. also litte life change home and 911 gt3 rs & 911 dakar all sold, 50 m. yacht looking too,I just want to live life on the sea

gr8trn Senior Member

volfkan said: ↑ today final stage paper work,110 dolcevita ordering. also litte life change home and 911 gt3 rs & 911 dakar all sold, 50 m. yacht looking too,I just want to live life on the sea Click to expand...

Kevin YF Moderator

Kevin said: ↑ I could have held onto the Dakar for you... keep in clean & maintained, ready to go should you change your mind. Click to expand...

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A billionaire NFL owner's superyacht is now available for charter. It'll cost you.

• NFL owner Shahid Khan's superyacht Kismet is available for charter at $3 million a week.
• Kismet, which will debut at the Monaco Yacht Show, features luxury amenities and can host 12 guests.
• Added costs for provisions, gratuities, and taxes can raise the weekly charter cost to $5.4 million.

Want to vacation like a billionaire? You can — for $3 million a week.

The superyacht belonging to Shahid Khan, the owner of the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars who is worth $13.3 billion, according to Forbes, is officially available for charter.

Kismet, Khan's new yacht, will make her debut at the Monaco Yacht Show later this month.

The 122-meter yacht can accommodate up to 12 guests — and a crew of 36 available to serve them — and, like any superyacht worth its weight, has some special amenities .

A "Balinese-inspired" spa features a hammam, sauna, and cryotherapy chamber, as well as a massage table and chromotherapy bathtub offering some sort of color-related treatment. For more active wellness, there's a gym, basketball court, and pickleball court.

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There are three pools — two are jacuzzis — spread over six decks, four outdoor showers, four bars, four fireplaces, two fire pits, and one helipad. For your viewing pleasure, there is an outdoor cinema, and for your listening pleasure, a DJ booth and grand piano.

And because billionaires love to play, there is a suite of water toys aboard, including Jet Skis, SeaBobs, e-foils, and WaveRunners.

Khan is a committed superyacht owner. His previous superyacht, also named Kismet, was purchased by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt last year. While its final sales price was not disclosed, it was listed for about $160 million. Renamed Whisper, the yacht was built by the same German shipyard as the new Kismet, Lürssen, and measured 95 meters.

"The yacht has exceeded all expectations of the client for whom we have built his third yacht in total," Peter Lürssen, a managing partner at Lürssen, said in a statement about the newest Kismet.

Kismet is the largest yacht on display at the Monaco Yacht Show, which will feature 120 superyachts . Renaissance, the second largest at 112 meters, charters for the same weekly price of $3 million.

While the nine-figure sales prices of these yachts make their seven-figure charter rates seem like a bargain, renting out a superyacht is not for the faint of wallet. In addition to the charter fee, there are costs associated with provisions which can come to as much as 40% of the fee; gratuities, as much as 20% of the fee; and taxes, also as much as 20%. That means a week aboard the Kismet can actually cost as much as $5.4 million.

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