110 Dolcevita
The Riva Rivale 52 is a 52-foot open cruising yacht that was launched by the iconic, Ferretti-owned boat-building brand Riva in 2005. While this retro-inspired yacht takes its design cues from Riva’s rich heritage, this is very much a modern vessel, with a rounded aerodynamic profile, hi-tech detailing, next-generation engines and the sort of on-deck relaxation room that today’s yacht owners demand. Crafted in collaboration with Riva’s long-standing design partner Officina Italiana, this sporty model can be coated in a range of sedate paint options, including dove, silver, anthracite and beige, for an undeniably sophisticated look.
Ultra-cool tan leather seating across the main deck has been paired with teak decking, mahogany highlights, secure steel grabrails and glossy fiberglass surrounds for a feel that is at once classy and laid-back. A double leather sunpad out on the foredeck is joined by another sunpad to the stern that sits below a sculpted radar tower and above a rear tender garage that can accommodate an AVON jet-rib. At the very rear of the main-deck there is a full-beam, teak-lined bathing platform, bound to be popular with enthusiastic swimmers who wish to take a dip in the warm French Riviera waters.
The cockpit is protected from spray thanks to a wrap-around, Venturi-style frosted windshield with just a hint of tint to it, while an integrated Bimini top can be easily assembled to provide shade on those hot summer days. A leather sofa to the rear and a curved loveseat to starboard face an angular, timber-topped cocktail table and sit across from a plush wet-bar station with a grill, chilled storage and an icemaker. Up front there is double seating at this vessel’s modern helm station, where you will discover thruster and trim tab controls, a leather-lined steering wheel, VHF radio, Raymarine display panels and autopilot.
After entering a glazed companionway door to the lower-deck you will find classic-contemporary living spaces lined in your choice of bleached oak, rich walnut or warm elm, with brushed stainless-steel fixtures, cream-toned leather furnishings and paneling with a smooth, silken finish. A curved lower-deck lounge with an understated Art Deco feel features a C-shaped sofa hugging a bespoke oval dining table and sitting across from a home entertainment display cabinet. Also located down here is a neat galley with a Bosch four-zone hob, timber-lined cabinets, a ceramic sink, a fridge-freezer and a microwave, all of which can be hidden away when not in use. It may come as something of a surprise to find that up to six overnight guests can enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep across 3 cabins, given that most yachts of this size typically struggle to fit in two spacious cabins. A pair of twins to aft enjoy knife-insert glazing, bedside cabinets and mirrored wall panels, with one of these enjoying direct access to a Jack-and-Jill lower head with a shower. The en-suite master stateroom sits up by the bow and features a queen-sized island bed, a hanging locker, elevated closets, a skylight and a bathroom with a shower.
Performance has always been at the heart of Riva’s timeless appeal, and the Riva Rivale 52 is no different in this regard. A pair of 1050MHP MAN V-drive diesel engines attached to propellers in semi-tunnels promote full-throttle speeds of up to 40 knots, while at a moderate cruising rate of 34 knots you will enjoy a generous range for coastal cruising or island hopping.
