RIVA FLORIDA

Such was the success of Riva’s nimble and versatile Florida that it was built in relatively large numbers by Riva’s standards; between 1952 and 1969 1,137 Floridas were built, comprising of 426 standard Floridas and 711 larger and more powerful ‘Florida Supers and Super Floridas’.

Based around Carlo Riva’s first boat designed for series build, the Sebino, the Florida was a single engine design with early examples built of 5.4 metres in length and 1.94 beam.  Power was provided by Chris Craft’s “K” Series 6-cylinder units and the windscreen was a glass, two-piece vee-shaped design similar to the early Aristons and Tritones.  The driver and passenger seating layout comprised of a front bench seat and unlike the Ariston and the Tritone which had a full wooden rear deck, the Florida’s was completely open with a large, adjustable padded mattress which was separated from the front seat by a bridge of mahogany deck.

Instruments were again American Stewart Warner/Chris Craft units, and the upholstery was quilted green fabric.  By the mid 1950s a new interior design became available in a green tartan design made of leatherette.

In 1953 the Florida Super was made available, and the upgrades included increasing the hull length to 5.82 metres and the beam to 2.15 metres.  Power was also increased to 158 hp and later 175 hp by the use of Chris Craft’s “M” Series 6-cylinder engines. This increased power gave the early Super Florida a top speed of 40/42mph – not at all bad for the early/mid 1950s.

By the end of the 1950s the more familiar wrap-around windscreen was fitted to the Florida and a new dashboard design was introduced in 1959.

In 1960 a major change was taken onboard with the installation of the Chrysler Sea V M80 V8 engine, this unit was first used in the newly named Super Florida.  The standard Florida also received upgraded power from the Chris Craft 283 V8 in 1961 and this engine was also later adopted for use in the Super Florida.  The final engine utilised in the Florida range was also the most powerful in the form of the Riva badged Crusader 220 hp V8, fitted to the Super Florida from 1966 onwards.

As with the other models in the Riva range, various modifications and improvements were incorporated into both the standard Florida as well as the Super Florida including new instruments matched to the new V8 power, new dashboard designs, new steering wheel designs, new controls, upholstery designs, badging and most significantly improvements in hull shape, length and design for smoother and sportier handling on the waves as well as accommodating larger fuel tanks for better range.

Production of the standard Florida ceased in 1964 whilst the Super Florida continued to be built and sold through to 1969, not long before Carlo Riva himself was to sell the business to the American Whittaker Corporation.

With its sensuous curves and polished wood, the Florida has the star qualities of a classic Riva with the added bonus of being able to tell one’s friends that Brigitte Bardot owned a Florida.

 As a Riva model, it represents a very exciting option for those seeking a beautiful tender for their yacht or a classic ski-boat with the open rear deck providing the ideal vantage point to keep watch over those skiing behind as well as the perfect mattress for a lazy afternoon of relaxation following a sporty morning of water-skiing.