Where to now for Riviera?

Riviera CEO Wes Moxey is adamant the company is not about to build turn-key sportsfishers. That's the official line.

What it is about to do is implement a policy of reviewing the spec and design of its flybridge boats to make them a snap to turn into the next best thing.

How else do you explain the company's latest ad boats (see the tower-bedecked 47)? Indeed, wait until you see the 58 with some of Pipewelders' handiwork bolted to it. Look out Viking and Hatteras, here they come.

Moxey is not a sportsfisherman. However, many of the team at Riviera and a fair number of its dealers and customers across the globe are. Given the fact that anglers regularly buy and update their boats - unlike cruising owners - it's smart thinking by Riviera to address the marketplace.

The change in management at Riviera clears the way for Moxey to satisfy the wishlists of many of the company's fishing customers and dealers. The changes won't be at the expense of those customers who want a comfortable cruising flybridge boat. They will, however, be made firmly with Viking and Cabo in the Aussie builder's sights.

There's a hint to the accoutrements Riviera is likely to add to its standard boats in the new 47, but the real test of the fishability of the future Riviera range will likely come in the new 50-something boat that's just around the corner.

BlueWater's spies place this boat at close to 54ft in length, although in typical Riv fashion it will probably be dubbed a 52.

It's said even considerations as basic as cockpit coaming heights are being looked at in an effort to hit anglers right between the eyes.

That said, cockpit fittings, the need for toe space, rod and gaff storage, real livebait tanks, etc, are all things that the maker will have to also address.

Get these things right and Riviera has the potential to raise the production fishboat bar by a significant margin - especially in terms of value for money.

Meantime, Riviera is not letting the grass grow under its feet. Indeed, with the boatbuilder announcing the implementation of a second production shift (see separate story this issue), its latest flybridge boat is set to debut as this issue goes to press.

To be known as the 42 (or 4250), the new craft is based on the award-winning 40.

Note: BlueWater's interview with TRG CEO Wes Moxey, advertised last issue, has been held over to our June/July issue.