The Australian luxury motor yacht builder has expanded the boundaries of blue-water cruising, combining the rugged offshore pedigree of its Sports Motor Yachts with the refined, single-level living of its Sport Yacht series into a nearly 80-foot powerhouse.
Main Facts: The Riviera 735 SUV at a Glance
Riviera has officially raised the bar for luxury adventure cruising with the introduction of the new 735 SUV. Serving as the crown jewel and undisputed flagship of Riviera’s popular SUV collection, this magnificent vessel measures an impressive 79 feet, 7 inches (24.26 meters) overall.
Engineered to seamlessly bridge the gap between heavy-duty offshore capability and high-end lifestyle hosting, the 735 SUV is tailored for extended blue-water voyages, family getaways, serious sportfishing, and dynamic watersports adventures. Powered by heavy-hitting twin MAN V12 shaft-drive diesel engines—available in configurations pushing either 2,000 or 2,200 horsepower—the yacht delivers robust performance backed by a massive 2,642-gallon (approx. 10,000 liters) fuel capacity.
Accommodating between eight and eleven guests across four luxurious staterooms, the yacht boasts a generous 19-foot, 8-inch (6-meter) beam. It pairs this expansive footprint with clever spatial design, integrating a sprawling indoor-outdoor main deck, a dedicated forward entertaining lounge, a fully customizable aft utility or crew space, and cutting-edge marine technology.
Chronology of Development: Evolution of an Icon
The journey toward the 735 SUV represents a natural evolution of Riviera’s design philosophy, capturing years of customer feedback, naval architecture refinements, and technological integration.
The SUV Concept’s Roots
Riviera originally conceptualized its SUV series to satisfy a distinct niche in the luxury yachting market: owners who loved the open-air, single-level entertaining layout of a Sport Yacht, but demanded the long-range, all-weather offshore performance of a traditional Sports Motor Yacht. Over the years, models spanning smaller dimensions proved exceptionally popular in coastal and regional cruising markets. However, a growing cohort of seasoned owners began asking for a larger, true superyacht-scale platform capable of global-grade passages without sacrificing ease of handling or family-friendly comfort.
Engineering the Flagship
Drawing blueprints for a vessel nearing 80 feet required a ground-up approach to weight distribution, hydrodynamic efficiency, and structural integrity. Riviera’s in-house design and engineering teams spent extensive development cycles perfecting the hull form to handle heavy seas comfortably while optimizing interior volume.
The integration of twin MAN V12 powerplants was mapped out to ensure optimal engine room ergonomics, ease of maintenance, and balanced weight distribution. Simultaneously, deck layouts underwent rigorous prototyping to ensure that high-traffic zones—such as the transition between the cockpit, alfresco dining area, and main salon—remained unobstructed and fluid.
World Premiere and Market Entry
The official unveiling marks the culmination of this extensive development phase. As Riviera’s new flagship, the 735 SUV enters the market positioned squarely at the top of its class, ready to make waves on the international boat show circuit and deliver on the high expectations of discerning global yachtsmen.
Supporting Data & Technical Specifications
To fully appreciate the scope and scale of the Riviera 735 SUV, one must examine the meticulous engineering and expansive specifications that define the vessel.
Dimensions & Capacities
- Length Overall (LOA): 79 feet, 7 inches (24.26 m)
- Hull Length: 76 feet, 9 inches (23.40 m)
- Beam: 19 feet, 8 inches (6.00 m)
- Maximum Draft: Approximately 5 feet, 6 inches (1.68 m) – subject to configuration
- Fuel Capacity: 2,642 US gallons (10,000 liters)
- Water Capacity: 317 US gallons (1,200 liters)
- Holding Tank Capacity: 132 US gallons (500 liters)
- Sleeping Capacity: 8 to 11 guests (depending on stateroom and crew layout)
Propulsion & Performance
The engine room is a testament to marine engineering, housing twin MAN V12 diesel engines. Owners can select between:
- Standard Power: Twin MAN V12 engines delivering 2,000 hp each.
- Upgraded Power: Twin MAN V12 engines pushing an immense 2,200 hp each.
Coupled with traditional shaft-drive mechanics, these powerplants ensure reliable, efficient cruising speeds across extended passages, supported by a massive fuel reserve that minimizes the need for frequent refueling stops in remote cruising grounds.
Layout & Onboard Zones
- The Cockpit: Designed as a multi-purpose hub. It features a built-in barbecue, a fully equipped wet bar, generous refrigeration, and optional game-fishing rigging (including live bait tanks, outriggers, rod holders, insulated fish boxes, and electric reel outlets). A hydraulic lowering boarding platform serves as a private beach club or tender lift.
- The Forward Entertainment Deck: A private oasis ahead of the superstructure featuring wraparound seating designed to comfortably host eight or more guests.
- The Main Saloon & Alfresco Deck: Connected via an opening stainless-steel door and sliding awning window, creating a unified single-level entertainment zone. An electric sunroof bathes the interior in natural light and fresh air.
- The Lower Accommodation Deck: Houses four distinct staterooms. The full-beam master suite includes a king-size walk-around berth, panoramic hull windows, a private refreshment bar, ample wardrobe storage, and a private en suite. A forward VIP stateroom also features its own en suite, alongside two flexible guest cabins.
- The Aft Utility / Crew Zone: Accessed via a separate stairway from the cockpit, this area can be outfitted as a dedicated captain/crew cabin or transformed into a massive utility room tailored for scuba diving gear, fishing tackle, custom workbench setups, or auxiliary storage.
Advanced Technology & Stabilization
Modern luxury demands absolute control and connectivity. The 735 SUV is equipped with:
- State-of-the-art multi-touch navigation displays and comprehensive vessel monitoring.
- Dual joystick control stations (one at the main helm, one in the cockpit) for effortless close-quarters maneuvering.
- Advanced stabilization options, including Humphree fin stabilizers or a Seakeeper 18 gyroscopic stabilization system.
- High-speed global communication via Starlink integration.
- An immersive onboard security and maneuver camera system providing live, real-time feeds of critical zones.
Official Responses and Builder Insights
Riviera’s leadership team has expressed immense pride in the creation of the 735 SUV, emphasizing that the vessel represents the pinnacle of the brand’s design evolution.
According to company spokespeople, the driving philosophy behind the 735 SUV was the recognition that modern luxury yacht owners do not want to compromise. Traditional sportfishers often sacrifice interior living elegance for rugged fish-fighting capability, while pure motor yachts can sometimes lack the robust utility required for active outdoor pursuits. Riviera set out to merge these worlds completely.
"The 735 SUV is an uncompromising response to what our most seasoned owners have been asking for," noted a representative from Riviera’s product development division. "They want the range and sea-keeping confidence to explore remote archipelagos, the deck space to haul big fish or launch water toys, and the absolute interior refinement of a luxury penthouse. By combining the best elements of our Sports Motor Yacht and Sport Yacht series, we have created a flagship that feels entirely at home whether anchored in a calm tropical bay or powering through a choppy coastal passage."
Furthermore, designers highlighted the painstaking craftsmanship that goes into every square foot of the interior. Handcrafted timber cabinetry, plush custom upholstery, and premium European appliances underscore Riviera’s commitment to quality. The feedback from preliminary private viewings has been overwhelmingly positive, indicating strong global demand for a vessel of this caliber.
Implications for the Luxury Yacht Market
The launch of the Riviera 735 SUV is poised to send ripples across the global luxury marine sector, carrying several significant implications for builders, buyers, and industry trends.
1. Blurring the Lines Between Utility and Luxury
For years, buyers seeking a true adventure yacht—one equipped for extended offshore fishing, diving, and heavy watersports—often had to look toward specialized custom sportfishing hulls or utility expedition vessels, frequently sacrificing high-end aesthetic comfort. The 735 SUV demonstrates that a vessel can offer world-class fishing amenities and industrial-grade utility spaces (like the customizable aft utility room) while maintaining the sophisticated, single-level interior ambiance of a high-end luxury motor yacht. This versatile crossover design is likely to influence upcoming design briefs across the industry.
2. Rising Demand for Extended Self-Sufficiency
As affluent owners increasingly seek remote destinations and experiential travel rather than traditional marina-hopping, demand for long-range cruising capabilities has surged. With its 2,642-gallon fuel capacity, massive water storage, advanced Starlink communication, and robust stabilization systems (such as the Seakeeper 18), the 735 SUV is purpose-built for off-the-grid cruising. This reflects a broader consumer shift toward self-reliance, exploration, and mental disconnect through extended time on the water.
3. Setting a New Standard for Regional Builders
Riviera’s successful scaling into the nearly 80-foot market segment cements its status as a major global heavyweight in luxury yacht manufacturing. By offering superyacht-scale amenities—such as four independent staterooms, a full-beam master suite, multiple dedicated entertainment zones, and optional crew accommodations—the builder proves that regional production yards can rival traditional custom mega-yacht builders in terms of luxury, technology, and execution.
4. Customization as the Ultimate Luxury
The inclusion of a flexible aft utility space—which can transition seamlessly from a professional-grade crew cabin to a watersports workshop or fishing gear locker—highlights the modern expectation of personalization. Today’s yacht owners do not want a one-size-fits-all layout; they expect their vessel to adapt to their specific hobbies, whether that means chasing marlin in deep water, diving pristine coral reefs, or hosting large cocktail parties at sunset.
Conclusion
The Riviera 735 SUV is much more than a new model release; it is a definitive statement of intent from one of the world’s leading luxury boatbuilders. By marrying the long-range capability of a blue-water explorer with the sophisticated, single-level living spaces of a modern luxury cruiser, Riviera has crafted an exceptional flagship.
With its formidable MAN V12 power options, expansive four-stateroom layout, customizable utility zones, and state-of-the-art technological ecosystem, the 735 SUV is fully prepared to lead a new era of adventurous, uncompromised luxury yachting.
