RIVA

Carlo Riva sadly departed in 2017 but he left a floating legacy that will never be matched. Only just over 4000 Rivas of all types were built during his time at the helm of the Company and the number that survive today is unknown, but is estimated at around 3000. Rivas are by definition rare, and the ravages of time, life in the water under a strong sun, poor storage and maintenance, accidents, sinking and the whim of fashion, means that many have been lost forever. However, because of the relatively limited use, the original owners’ typical wealth, proper care by specialist boatyards, mainly in Italy of course, a very large number have also been beautifully preserved in highly original condition and continue to be enjoyed on a regular basis. It is still possible today to find a 1960’s Riva housed in the original boatyard on the Lake that supplied it new, still in the care of its original owner and now maintained by the children of the children of the original boatyard owners.

The joys of Riva ownership are, in many ways, similar to the joys of classic car ownership. Firstly, there is the pure aesthetic as you behold “Man’s most beautiful creation.” Then there is the research, the history, the chase, the find, the negotiation, the purchase, the restoration all reaching its apex in the sheer thrill of the sound of the rich, deep burbling of one or two perfectly tuned and unstressed American V8 motors pushing you effortlessly across the water in a sense of flight, while smoothly planing and cutting through the waves. Add to that exhilarating performance - Rivas are fast even by today’s standards - the extremely rare Cadillac powered Tritones and Super Aquaramas are capable of an amazing 53mph/46 knots, putting them in the territory of a modern 10 metre Rib, which is still considered rapid at 45 – 55 knots – and you are left with a beautiful piece of wooden sculpture that moves fast with grace and handles like a dream. 

Legend has it that Carlo Riva once sent Gianni Agnelli, The ‘Rake of the Riviera’ out on one of his Aquarama’s setting Agnelli, a great sportsman, the challenge that if he could turn the boat over then it would be his – suffice to say Agnelli left the lake empty-handed. And then there’s the nostalgic dream of the Dolce Vita. The glamour and excess of the 1950’s and 1960s, the feeling of living in a photograph by Slim Arrons. The early morning start, checking the weather. The long day out with friends and family in the Italian sunshine. The scenery and the speed across the lake to a romantic tie-up for a lazy but long lunch. The Campari aperitif and fish from the lake, with a bottle of chilled white wine. Then the inevitable search for a place to stop for a post lunch, post Sambucca snooze with the perfume of the warm motors cooling down in absolute silence with just the soft lapping waves of the lake against the shapely mahogany sides of the boat, as the boat gently bobs and you sleep. A quick and invigorating swim in the deep black fresh water, and a sporting run back to base with the long sun of early evening glistening on the water and the view constantly shifting like a kaleidoscope. And then, the sense of security when your cherished Riva is lifted out, dried-off, inside and out, and put to bed for the night, luxurious tiredness overcoming you after the perfect day.  

An afternoon out on the Lake in a Riva is a moment of true joy and relaxation with friends. The lake has no traffic signals, no sleeping policemen, no real speed limits (unofficially I’m sure), you can enjoy a sensible glass of wine over lunch without the fear of being pulled over and essentially the Lake has changed very little since the legendary Dolce Vita era of the ‘50’s & 60’s when these boats were out on the water for the first time. It truly is floating back in time!  And finally, there is the sense that one is participating in the preservation of the legacy of a genius. A man who was to boats what Enzo Ferrari was to cars. Grazie mille Carlo Riva! 

As a quick Riva spotter’s guide, the main difference between the models is basically single engine or twin-engine, six cylinder (early boats) or 8 cylinder V8’s. Hull design, shape and size, number of permitted passengers, sunbathing cut-out in the rear deck or full mahogany rear-deck and, of course, performance and price.

PHOTOS: TIM SCOTT, FLUID IMAGES