RIVA JUNIOR

A clear styling departure from its predecessor, the Junior had sleek lines accentuated by the classic Riva mahogany decking contrasting with the painted white sides and transom – giving it had a distinctly lightweight and sporting appearance.  The painted sides also allowed for easier maintenance, especially in its target market, the USA where many owners maintained their own motor boats.  Another feature unique to the Junior was the delicately tapered side grab rails along with the off-centre wheel and large open sundeck.  Launched with the moniker ‘the young people’s rocket” the Junior was, as its name would suggest, the smallest boat in the classic Riva range at just over 5.5 metres in length.  The Junior was quite basically appointed by comparison with larger boats such as the Ariston but non-the-less distinctively all Riva. It was upholstered in turquoise and white and sported Stewart Warner or Chris Craft instruments.  Power was from a single Riva badged 180PS V8 motor the Junior was capable of 67kph.

The Riva Junior was replaced by the Rudy in 1972 (which was exactly the same design except made of fibreglass) after 626 examples had been sold.

The Junior was not just a fantastic boat for water skiers it also proved to be immensely popular as a tender for owners of large motor yachts and today it makes a fine classic Riva that is pretty, practical, affordable and loads of fun – a pocket rocket for the waves!