New & Notable: Flagship Ahoy
Justin Ratcliffe
11/01/2005

Founded on the banks of Lake Iseo in northern Italy in 1842, Riva became known for its small, handcrafted motorboats. But since 2000, when Riva entered the Ferretti group, the range of production models increased by the Sunriva 33, the Ego 68, the Rivale 72 and, now, the Athena 115—its largest model. Production has also grown, from 22 vessels a year to 49 today.

Riva’s new flagship is notable for more than her size. The raised pilothouse is separated from the skylounge by the upper deck, top right. The main-deck master stateroom, bottom, shares its white and walnut color scheme with other main-deck areas. (Click images to enlarge)

“The Athena represented a double challenge,” says Norberto Ferretti, president of the Ferretti Group. “On the one hand, in meeting the requests of customers who want to move up to a larger yacht, and on the other, in producing a yacht over thirty-five meters to the same standards of quality, style and refinement that have made this brand a legend.”

The result is a true production yacht of innovative design by Mauro Micheli of Officina Italiana Design that exudes charm and quality. Micheli had redesigned the Riva production range when the company was taken over by the Ferretti group: The Athena 115 is the culmination of his clean-cut, linear style. “We keep the design simple, because it has to appeal to an international client base,” explains the designer, who is responsible for both interior and exterior. “The trick is in finding the right balance to maintain a common thread from one model to the next—without making the boats look as though they were stamped from the same mold.”

The 115 is designed with four or five ensuite cabins, but the custom version presented at the brand-new Riva premises in La Spezia had an unprecedented six double cabins, as requested by Middle Eastern owners who intend to use the yacht mainly for corporate entertainment. The extra cabin is paid for by rather cramped crew quarters—five crew in three cabins share a common head with shower. The captain has his own modest ensuite cabin under the stairs to the main deck. The standard four- and five-cabin layouts provide a more generous crew dinette or separate kitchen, a second bathroom and a much larger captain’s cabin. The four-cabin version has a full-beam master suite, a VIP cabin and two guest cabins with twin beds, all on the lower deck. The five-cabin version replaces the dedicated dining area on the main deck with a master suite.

Click on the Spec tab at top to see complete list of specifications.
Regardless of the cabin arrangement, the flybridge deck aboard the 115 would do justice to a 130-footer. This sensation of space has been achieved by shifting the deckhouse forward, which leaves the central area open and adds an optional skylounge aft that can be used as gym, media room, study or library. Alternatively, without a skylounge, the flybridge deck becomes a vast, open-air room that can accommodate all guests. On Hull No. 1, the skylounge functions as a TV room served by a port-side covered stairway to the aft main deck. A starboard stairway links the aft deck to the open-air part of the upper deck.

Curved, sliding doors on the main aft deck open onto an all-white, mini lounge between deck and salon. The salon is spacious and comfortable, with three large sofas. Cream-colored fabric contrasts pleasantly with dark walnut paneling. An illuminated wall divides the salon from dining area, which seats just eight guests.
 
“The 115 is built to the highest standards,” remarks the project manager, Nicola Nicolai. “The systems are what we call ‘fifty-meter standard,’ with stainless steel or rigid PVC tubing, instead of flexible hoses, and so forth. This means the yacht can easily conform to MCA or RINA A-class standards, and hence, European Community charter regulations. For comfort, we have sound-proofed bulkheads and floating floors
on the lower deck.”

The engine room has plenty of headroom and work space. It is available in two layouts, depending on tender requirements. Powered by twin MTU 12V 4000 M90 MTUs, Riva’s 115 has a top speed of over 26 knots, and a range of 600 miles cruising at 23 knots. Beginning with the second unit, Mitsubishi at-anchor stabilizers will be standard equipment.

Riva, 39 035 910202, www.riva-yacht.com
Yacht Specs

Yacht Name: Athena 115
Yacht Type: Motor Yacht
Builder: Riva
Draft: 6' 1" (1.85m)
LOA (Actual length): 115' (35.05m)
LWL (Length of water line): 93' 3" (28.42m)
Displacement: 170.9 tons
Power: 2x MTU 12V4000
Max Speed: 26.5 kts
Range: 600 nm  @ 23 kts
Beam: 23' 3" (7.09m)