Riviera Ride High At Sydney International Boat Show

Australia’s most awarded pleasure boat builder Riviera, has achieved an amazing result at the Sydney International Boat Show selling 19 new boats over the five days of the show and its subsequent sea trial days immediately following the show and winning an award for Display Excellence at the marina.

Riviera’s new boat sales were across the flybridge, sport yacht and offshore express ranges and included multiple sales of the 47 Enclosed Flybridge, 5000 and 5800 Sport Yachts with a total value of AUD $26, 246, 000.

The incredible popularity of the new 43 Open Flybridge continues with four sales achieved at the Sydney International Boat Show.  Since its launch in late May several international orders have also been received.  Riviera now holds orders for 16 of these exciting new models.

The announcement of the new 53 Enclosed Flybridge was extremely well received on day one of the boat show.  This new model retains the distinctive Riviera styling but incorporates a new generation of technology and comfort.  The 53 combines contemporary thinking with traditional Riviera elements.

There is a lot of boat for its length and a great many key design features including an enclosed flybridge, internal staircase, full beam master cabin, a total of three cabins, two bathrooms aft galley and the flexibility of choice with a range of different pod drive and engine plant configurations. This new model has been entirely designed around these proven and efficient drives and is due for release in March 2011.

Riviera CEO John Anderson said these results showed the market was falling in love with Riviera’s new designs and new thinking.

“This result supports our belief that superior design, technology and world class quality are the hallmarks of Riviera and these virtues have allowed us to emerge from the global financial crisis in a very convincing manner,” Mr Anderson said.

“To have sold 40 new boats over the past eight weeks between the Sanctuary Cove and Sydney shows is a tremendous result for the Riviera brand, our loyal owners and our dedicated staff.”

Riviera’s brand and communications manager Stephen Milne said the sales results were a direct reflection of the factory teams working in partnership with Riviera’s dealers.

“It was a tremendous team effort showcasing Riviera at its best at SIBS,” Mr Milne said.

“The mood on our display was very positive and it felt like 2005 in terms of clients wanting to secure their new Riviera just as soon as possible.”

Shares in Riviera Syndication boats were snapped up by enthusiastic owners in the Sydney based 5800 Sport Yacht which sold out at the show. 

Four more boats are on order including a second 5800 Sport Yacht for Sydney, a second 5000 Sport Yacht for Sydney which has already sold eight of the 10 shares, a new 5800 Sport Yacht for Hamilton Island and also the 5800 Sport Yacht for Sanctuary Cove.

Riviera Syndication managing director John Russell said it was a ‘stunning response at the show’.

“It was by far the best boat show ever for Riviera Syndication,” Mr Russell said.

“It’s an absolute credit to Riviera, their Sport Yacht range is leaving people speechless.  People are stepping on board and saying ‘wow’.

“One of the features of our new Syndication in the 5800 Sport Yacht is we move the boats to various locations throughout the year so our Sydney owners get to visit the Whitsundays and our Sanctuary Cove owners get to visit the Whitsundays and Sydney.”

Riviera’s I Love Riv team greeted more than 300 guests on the Saturday night of the show for the launch party held on Riviera’s floating display.

Riviera’s brand and communications manager Stephen Milne said spirits were very high as party-goers celebrated the launch of Riviera’s 43 and 53 flybridges and the company’s strong performance over the past 12 months.

“All 13 boats were open for our VIP guests who were treated to fine champagne and canapés while being entertained by three of Australia’s and the U.K.’s brightest talents.

Mr Anderson said Riviera started a new production line at its Coomera Gold Coast facility on Monday this week to help meet growing local and international demand.

“We are also now actively recruiting quality people to work with us on this new production line and have rehired several of our previous staff that we were forced to let go last year as the global financial crisis impacted the boating industry,” Mr Anderson said.

“We have done a great deal of work in restructuring our dealer network over the past six months and the results of this show confirm the strength of these changes.”

Riviera offers 20 different models from 36 to 85 feet across four model series Flybridge, Sport Yacht, Offshore Express and Motor Yachts.