Riva, the Lamborghini of Classic Motor Cruisers

While Louis Dubourdieu was establishing his shipyard in the Bassin d’Arachon, in 1842, Pietro Riva was repairing the boats of the fishermen on Lake Iseo in Sarnico, Italy devasted by a sudden storm. He had just moved from Lake Como, and in so doing, won over the locals, beginning the Riva legend.

Pietro’s son Ernesto Riva introduced internal combustion engines on Riva boats, launching their cargo and passenger boat business on the lake. It was only after World War I that Serafino Riva turned the Riva boats into a real brand, production focused on power boating, which at the time was still dawning.

The 1950s were the years of Carlo Riva, who selected materials of the highest quality, took careful attention to the tiniest details. Riva’s creations became a status symbol for the aristocracy, successful businessmen and movie stars.

In 1956, Riva started working with designer Giorgio Barilani, beginning a 40-year professional relationship with him. Through this collaboration, their flagship boat, Aquarama was born in 1962. Inspired by the American cinerama movie screen, Aquarama became a brand within a brand.

In 1969, fiberglass became the material of choice for yachts, so Riva began constructing fiberglass yachts in addition to its mahogany boat line. Due to a difficult union climate, Carlo made the difficult choice to sell his company to the American company Whittaker, while remaining as the chairman of the board. Two years later he resigned, leaving his partner in place to continue running the company. For the next two decades, the Riva company lost its way, being purchased at one point by the English Group Vickers, who owned Rolls Royce, and the last remaining Riva family member, Gino Gervasoni left the company after 41 years.

Finally, in 2000, Riva-Yacht was bought by the Ferreti Group, a multinational shipbuilding company of luxury yachts. They have completely re-invigorated the brand, creating both new and old Riva models. In the same year, they created the 33-foot Aquariva that was revolutionary in terms of mechanical features, reliability and performance. that was revolutionary in terms of mechanical features, reliability and performance.