
A Star is born: Owners celebrate the world premiere of the 6200 Sport Yacht
Held on the eve of the yacht’s official world premiere to the media and public at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, the event welcomed owners and their families who had already committed to the new model off the plan. Australian Riviera dealer representatives and a group from the United States also joined the celebration, with hull number one destined for her proud owners in California.
This special occasion marked the completion of the latest evolution of Riviera’s celebrated Sport Yacht collection. Manufactured at Riviera’s world-class facility in Queensland, the 6200 succeeds the highly successful 6000 Sport Yacht, a model that enjoyed an impressive 17-year production period with 168 yachts delivered around the world.
The brief to the design team for the new model was straightforward. “You’ve got to get the 6200 different and better in every single way,” said Riviera Australia owner Rodney Longhurst.
Riviera Yacht Club welcomes owners
Guests arrived to a champagne reception, canapés and a warm welcome from the Riviera team inside the Riviera Yacht Club – an exclusive destination designed to immerse owners in the world of Riviera.
The club represents a vision brought to life by Rodney Longhurst. More than a welcome centre, it serves as a place where owners become part of the Riviera family. A dedicated helm station and equipment display assist with owner training, while luxurious seating areas framed by floor-to-ceiling glass overlook the Riviera marina and the tranquil Coomera River beyond, backed by a private bar and meeting rooms.
It is also where future owners collaborate with Riviera’s in-house design specialists to personalise the details of their new luxury yacht, from timber finishes to soft furnishings, ensuring each yacht reflects the lifestyle and tastes of its owner.
“We take great pride in building world-class motor yachts here in Queensland and to fly the flag for Australian manufacturing.”
Rodney Longhurst
As late afternoon drifted into evening, conversation flowed enthusiastically throughout the club. Excitement was high as guests gathered near the open windows, awaiting the arrival of the new yacht everyone had come to see.
“To launch our new 6200 Sport Yacht to owners giving them the opportunity to see it for the first time, in an intimate setting at our own yacht club is amazing. “We take great pride in building world-class motor yachts here in Queensland and to fly the flag for Australian manufacturing.” said Rodney Longhurst as he welcomed the assembled guests.
Then came the moment.
Emerging gracefully on the Coomera River, the Riviera 6200 Sport Yacht appeared against a backdrop of golden sunset hues. Accompanied by a live performance of the Coldplay song ‘You’re a Star’, performed from the bow, the arrival was both emotional and unforgettable as owners caught sight of their future luxury sport yacht for the very first time.
Finished in a bespoke diamond-coloured hull and hardtop, the yacht shimmered beneath the fading light. Her sleek profile, contemporary silhouette and carefully considered proportions reflected the confidence and sophistication that define Riviera yachts.
It was, in every sense, a star performance.
“When we build and launch a new yacht, it’s like having a new child for us.”
Rodney Longhurst
“It was fantastic to see the reactions on our clients’ faces as the 6200 came into view. When we build and launch a new yacht, it’s like having a new child for us. And each time we develop a new design we are listening to owners’ feedback and their learnings, that allows us to create something even more refined, practical and of course stylish in every way. It’s super exciting and we are so proud to build our world-class yachts with such a fantastic team here in our incredible facility, where there is a real transfer of knowledge from our artisans to our apprentices, and we’re doing all of this right here in Australia,” said Rodney Longhurst.
“It really ticks every box, it’s everything I expected and more…”
Linda Thomas
Once alongside, owners were invited onboard for a private viewing and to take a closer look at the yacht’s interior, layout, craftsmanship and attention to detail – and the response was overwhelmingly positive.
“We currently own a Riviera 6000 Sport Yacht and our friends have a Riviera 585 SUV, this yacht is like the perfect blend of both of those yachts put together. It really ticks every box, it’s everything I expected and more, and there’s so much storage space which is important as we spend three to four months onboard during the winter. We’ve gone for a neutral interior with the same flooring but a satin finish in a lighter wood. We’ve owned a Riviera for four years now and are really looking forward to using our new Riviera 6200 in Lake Macquarie near Newcastle,” said Linda Thomas.
“I love it, it’s exactly what we’d hoped it would be.”
Leigh Parsons
For many owners, the new sport yacht represents a natural progression within the Riviera family.
“We’ve currently got a Riviera 465 SUV and we ordered our 6200 off the plan during the Sanctuary Cove Boat Show last year. I love it, it’s exactly what we’d hoped it would be. And it’s not too much of a jump up in size but gives us plenty of room and the features that we need. This is a real home away from home for us – we’ve done around 300 engine hours in the last two years. We’ve gone for the 4-cabin layout as there’s plenty of space for our kids and the ability to be able to take friends away. We’ve been with Riviera for about four years now. We’re from Adelaide and like to use our yacht around Port Lincoln, but we will keep our new yacht here in Queensland for a while to explore this area before taking her home. Ours will be delivered in about 12 months, so we are choosing our interior finishes soon with Sarah – she’s fantastic at guiding us to make great choices. And we’ll probably opt to have the Praxis solar system integrated into the hardtop – it makes sense to be more independent in terms of power and enjoy a more tranquil boating experience,” said Leigh Parsons.
“It’s simply better in every way; space, layout, finish – and the forward bow seating area for entertaining is amazing.”
Matthew Tenkate
Another owner, Matthew Tenkate, reflected on the yacht’s remarkable evolution.
“It’s absolutely incredible, they’ve done a great job. They’ve really listened to feedback – the Riviera 6000 is great, but they’ve pushed it another 1% in every aspect for a more enhanced experience. It’s simply better in every way; space, layout,finish – and the forward bow seating area for entertaining is amazing. We’re expecting delivery next year and we’ll take her up from the Gold Coast to the Whitsundays. I actually put the deposit down on the new 6200 on behalf of my parents while they were in Hawaii,” said Matthew Tenkate with a big smile.
For Riviera, the evening represented far more than the unveiling of a new luxury yacht. It was a celebration of craftsmanship, innovation and enduring friendships with owners who continue to help shape Riviera’s future. As guests lingered on the marina, not wanting to leave the new yacht, twilight settled across the river and the significance of the evening was unmistakable.
The Riviera 6200 Sport Yacht Platinum Edition had arrived – and for the owners who witnessed her first appearance, it was a memory destined to last a lifetime.
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