110 Dolcevita
The Riva Athena 115 is a 116-foot luxury motor yacht with a flybridge that was launched by the iconic, Ferretti-owned Italian boat-building brand Riva back in 2005. The largest Riva vessel ever manufactured at the time of launch and the firm’s flagship, this palatial yacht typifies the sort of elegance and attention to detail that Riva have always been known for, only on a much larger scale. Designed in partnership with naval stylists Officina Italiana, the Athena 115 harmoniously pairs modern curves, multiple cresting wave windows and a dynamic flared superstructure to a color palette and lay-out with a distinctly classical feel. Innate good seaworthiness, powerful engines and innovative touches throughout make this pioneering yacht an enduringly popular choice on the used and charter markets to this day.
No expense has been paired kitting out one of the most unusual flybridges ever seen on a yacht of this class. The more conventional front portion of the teak-lined bridge boasts a trio of sedate, golden-timber and white-leather sunpads with a Casbah-feel and a raised helm station, not to mention an Art Deco-inspired walk-in wet-bar with a grill, an ice-chipper and a frosted glass serving bar. Yet at the rear of the bridge, you will find a unique, enclosed aft-lounge with curved sofas, a home entertainment system and a private terrace with stern-facing views.
One level down and the surprises keep coming. One of the largest aft-cockpits on the market comes with a transom dining sofa and side steps down to a full-beam hydraulic swimming platform and a capacious, timber-lined tender garage with a launch system that is large enough to host a pair of modern water toys and double as a beach-club hang-out.
Across the main-deck there are four cresting-wave side windows and concave sliding glass doors to the rear for plenty of natural light, while pale and dark-toned wood surfaces contrast beautifully against white leather furnishings, neutral paneling, and plush, cream-colored carpets. A huge salon to aft hosts armchairs, sofas, Ottomans and coffee tables, while ahead of this there is a formal dining table for up to ten guests. An enclosed amidship galley with Corian work surfaces and Miele appliances has a typically European feel and opens up space at the front of the main deck for an owner’s stateroom. This lavish suite boasts a king-sized bed, a side sofa, a work desk, an entrance lobby, a walk-in closet and a bathroom with a Venetian mosaic-lined shower stall and a jacuzzi-style tub.
Three more en-suite double staterooms are to be found down on the lower deck, including one regally appointed, full-beam cabin that is perhaps the finest on the vessel. Also located on this lower level is a crew quarters for up to five members of staff, complete with its own dining facilities.
The Riva Athena features a raised pilothouse with superb views, and the modern helm station in here features four Raymarine display screens, Furuno radar, hydraulic stern thruster controls, Trac 300 fin stabilizer switches, VHF radio, joystick handling, power-assisted steering and plenty of analogue instrumentation.
A pair of MTU 12V M90 2775MHP diesel engines provide top speeds of around 28 knots, while at a steady cruising speed of 24 knots you can expect a range of around 680 nautical miles.
