Expert opinions on 47 Enclosed Flybridge

John Zammit from Trade A Boat Magazine in Australia recently had the opportunity to evaluate over an extended period, the Riviera 47 Enclosed Flybridge as it travelled from the Gold Coast in Queensland to Melbourne in Victoria. The cruise took a total of 25 days covering a distance of some 700 nautical miles. Below are exerts from the boat test.

“Our journey had taken us from Coomera on the Gold Coast to Williamstown at the top of Port Phillip Bay, with numerous stops along the way. All told we were onboard for 25 consecutive days. Riviera claims that this boat is designed for extended cruising…they’ll get no argument from me!

Performance:

“Melbourne is Australia’s busiest commercial port and the narrow entrance to Port Phillip Bay has countless large ships and recreational vessels pass through it every year. When conditions aren’t right, these Heads are considered one of the most dangerous stretches of water in the world. The tide was ebbing and a southwest swell caused the waves to stand up. Not the ideal time to go through but with more than 1300 horsepower down below it wasn’t a problem, apart from a bit of spray.

Flybridge:

“…with five of us now travelling in the flybridge, it was surprisingly comfortable. Fitted with twin, adjustable Pompanette helm and companion chairs facing a dashboard with room to accommodate our two 12inch Raymarine screens incorporating GPS/plotter, radar and fishfinder, along with two engine monitoring screens, autopilot, tridata, trim tab indicator and intercom, the dash certainly isn’t overcrowded. Forward of the helm is bench seating to port in front of a sink with flick-mixer tap and below that a refrigerator drawer and storage. To starboard is an L-shaped lounge with a high-low adjustable table. Lots of storage, too, under the bench seat and in the forepeak, accessed through twin doors flanked either side by a bank of drawers.

“With the breeze picking up and storm clouds heading our way, we left Jervis Bay…it was raining heavily, but with the fully enclosed flybridge fitted with windscreen wipers, and washers no less, it’s not an issue for us.”

Cockpit:

We’d had a lot of people onboard at various times as we made our way to Melbourne, but the real test for the Riviera 47, as an entertainer, came at Queenscliff. Friends and family had come to meet us and within minutes of tying up at the new Queenscliff Harbour Marina, the cockpit was overflowing with people and an impromptu party got underway.”

Interior design:

“With four of us having spent the past two weeks onboard, the accommodation on the Riviera was working well. With three cabins and two bathrooms, one an en suite to the master, we never felt crowded. The well-kitted galley with twin electric hotplates, convection microwave, separate fridge and freezer and stainless steel sink had been given a regular workout and was a definite hit with the ladies. The luxurious saloon wide and spacious with a separate dinette, together with the large cockpit, had been thoroughly tested as we’d entertained a steady stream of visitors at our various stopovers. So far, it was a big tick all round the boat.”

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