A refined occasion celebrating the style and stories of Riviera’s remarkable women on the water.
From the moment Mitch and Denise Stronge stepped aboard their new Riviera 4300 Sports Express prior to her final commissioning and handover, there was a sense of knowing – of coming home. Their fingertips ran instinctively along the polished surfaces, tracing the craftsmanship with quiet reverence. It wasn’t just admiration; it was connection. This yacht, named “M”, was more than just their next motor yacht – it was the perfect match for a new chapter of spontaneity, ease, and effortless enjoyment on the water.
Seated casually together with several of the Riviera Experience magazine team on the sports deck – legs crossed, relaxing, drinks in hand – the Stronges chatted about their journey to the 4300. The question came naturally: how do you picture yourselves using your new Sports Express? Mitch didn’t miss a beat. He glanced around the inviting space, and without much more thought replied, “Exactly like this.” It was a simple answer, but it brilliantly captured the essence of the 4300 – effortless enjoyment, shared moments, and the luxury of feeling instantly at home.
“So we can look out the window, decide it’s a perfect day, and be on the water in minutes. She’ll be so easy for both of us to handle.”
Denise Stronge
The hose-out sports deck is a superb lounging and dining space with its own wet bar, TV and air-conditioning. From here, access to the water and to the foredeck is just so easy.
Denise explained that they would spend virtually all their time on the sports deck.
“This deck combines the open-air freedom of a covered cockpit while the electric sunroof offers the weatherproofing of an enclosed saloon,” she said.
“We just love the idea of getting out on the water, even if it’s just for an afternoon. That’s what drew us to the Gold Coast, and ultimately to this new yacht,” said Denise.
Their decision to purchase the second 4300 Sports Express came with remarkable ease. “We asked a few questions, looked over the initial drawings, and within half an hour, we signed the agreement,” Mitch recalled.
Click the play button to enjoy the Riviera Sports Express profile film.
"One of the things I loved right from the start was the smart use of space. There is just so much room for easy entertaining."
Denise Stronge
That level of trust in Riviera wasn’t impulsive. It was the result of more than two decades of firsthand experience, having previously owned a 47 Flybridge, a 43 Offshore Express, and, most recently, a 64 Sports Motor Yacht. “The 64 is a sensational yacht,” said Mitch. “But our lifestyle has shifted. Now it’s more about day boating, entertaining, and the occasional night at anchor.”
That confidence in Riviera was well-established long before the 4300. In fact, their previous purchase – the 64 – was made, just like their new Sports Express, without even taking it for a sea trial. “The first time we actually got to experience the 64 underway was when we picked it up and brought it home,” Mitch explained. “It might sound wild, but with our experience and trust in Riviera, we knew exactly what we were doing.”
Left – Mitch and Denise aboard their 4300 ‘M’ at the Rivera factory. Right top – the accommodation deck lounge is a very inviting retreat (sistership image). Bottom right – the open and airy forward master stateroom can be closed off from the saloon when required (sistership image).
“Since moving to the Gold Coast, we’ve done trips up to the Whitsundays, Musgrave, and plenty of weekenders with the R Marine Crawley team,” Mitch shared. “But lately, it’s been more about day boating. Sometimes we wake up, the sun’s out, and we just say, ‘Let’s go out for lunch’. We usually come home at night for our cats, but we love keeping it spontaneous.”
Denise agrees, adding that the new 4300 suits this lifestyle perfectly. “She’s just the right size to make a last-minute decision to go boating. We live on Sovereign Islands, so we can look out the window, decide it’s a perfect day, and be on the water in minutes. She’ll be so easy for both of us to handle.”
“I’ve handled the 565 solo, and the 64 had all the tech – but this boat? Piece of cake. The joystick steering takes just a few minutes to get used to. When asked about their maiden voyage, Mitch smiled, a glint of mischief in his eye, he said with a grin, “Tipplers”. The popular boaters’ haven on South Stradbroke Island, Tipplers is a Gold Coast gem where the island’s laid-back bar promises Mitch his own slice of “Margaritaville”, which are apparently the next 14 letters to be added beneath the neon blue M adorning the stern.
With customisable options, Denise chose a serene neutral colour palate throughout and opted to replace the freezer with a drawer dishwasher.
"Now we have both the power, the weather-protection, better access to the water and great luxury in one brilliant package!"
Mitch Stronge
From the moment Denise saw the 4300’s layout during the initial presentation, she was impressed by its intelligent design. “One of the things I loved right from the start was the smart use of space – especially up front. It’s just so relaxed and welcoming,” she said. That impression was confirmed at the recent Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, where their new Sports Express was reserved for VIP inspections. “After the ladies’ lunch, 13 of us ended up on the bow, enjoying a magnum of champagne. It was perfectly comfortable because it’s so well-designed,” she recalled. For Denise, that space remains a standout feature. “The foredeck of the 4300 is definitely a highlight – I think even more so than on the 64!”
Denise and Mitch thoughtfully personalised their new Sports Express to suit their lifestyle, especially when it came to their two cavoodles. “We made the yacht work for us, adding features like the doggy gate to keep things safe and easy when they’re onboard,” Denise said. That same approach extended to the interiors. “I kept everything neutral so it’s easy to throw in a splash of colour when I feel like it. “It’s the same approach I’d take with a house – clean, flexible, and timeless.” We also added a dishwasher – because who wants to do the dishes after a wonderful day out on the water! “We gave up the freezer for the drawer dishwasher, which suits us fine because we will mostly be doing day trips and there’s a large Yeti cooler on board to substitute. We will keep the catering simple – fresh oysters, prawns, a salad, a few bottles of wine, and something for the barbecue. With the lower galley, the bar area upstairs and the rear barbecue centre, there is just so much room for easy entertaining,” Denise muses.
The impressive helm of the 4300 features touchscreen navigation and systems control. There is an inviting captains and companion seat with fold down foot rest and bolster for supreme comfort underway.
The Riviera 4300 Sports Express is powered by a choice of twin Volvo Penta D6 IPS 600s rated at 324 kW (440 hp) each or twin Volvo Penta D6 IPS 650s rated at 353 kW (480 hp) each.
Mitch selected the 650s and was particularly impressed by the power and speed capabilities. “At one time we owned a centre console boat with four outboard engines and Mitch loved going fast in that. Now we have both the power, the weather-protection, better access to the water and great luxury in one brilliant package! It means we can get out to some of our favourite anchorages around the Gold Coast quickly, enjoy a relaxing lunch and be home in time for our cats,” said Mitch.
The accommodation deck can comfortably sleep five with a master stateroom forward that can be closed off to the saloon, an aft cabin, lavish bathroom with separate shower, main galley and TV lounge.
“The bathroom is beautifully equipped, and the stateroom forward is comfortable, airy and spacious,” said Denise.
Since relocating from Auckland six and a half years ago, their boating lifestyle has been enriched by the Riviera family, especially through the R Marine Crawley dealership team. “We’ve joined the team on trips to the Whitsundays, Brisbane, and Amity Point,” said Mitch. “We’ve made lifelong Riviera friends – enough to make us decide not to move back to New Zealand,” Denise added.
“We’ve made lifelong Riviera friends."
Denise Stronge
From sunrise cruises to sunset returns, the 4300’s considered interiors make coming aboard feel like coming home.
“I was actually going to buy an old 43 Offshore Express and do a rebuild. But Travis, our Dealer Principal at R Marine Crawley said, ‘Don’t do that. There’s something new and more luxurious coming.’ I’m glad we waited. I like shiny new things – and turning an old boat into something new costs a lot and at the end of the day, it’s still an old boat.”
Whether it’s paddle boarding with their dogs from the sea deck, enjoying drinks on the sports deck with friends, or relaxing in the welcoming saloon below on a cool evening, every element of the 4300 is designed for ease and enjoyment. And with a cruise speed of 28 knots, and wide open over 30 knots, they’re already imagining future journeys beyond their beloved day trips – maybe even accepting the invitation in joining a neighbour and Riviera owners’ Christmas cruise to Sydney, just a two to three days run south.
“We’re just so thrilled to be able to get back on the water after a year off,” Denise said, her joyous smile mirrored in Mitch’s.
Discover the 4300 Sports Express in greater detail by visiting https://www.rivieraaustralia.com/models/4300-sports-express/
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