Ocean Magazine’s Ron Parker compares the three 46 Rivieras – from left, the Riviera 465 SUV, Riviera 46 Sports Motor Yacht (SMY) and the Riviera 4600 Sport Yacht Platinum Edition (SY).
Ocean Magazine’s Ron Parker compares the three 46 Rivieras – the Riviera 46 Sports Motor Yacht (SMY), the Riviera 4600 Sport Yacht Platinum Edition (SY) and the Riviera 465 SUV. He explores the differences between accommodations, layouts and entertaining spaces on the yachts, as well as performance and versatility. Ron provides the reader with a deep dive into the differences, characteristics and distinctions between the models, as well as the commonalities of styling and usability for which the Riviera brand is famous.
The biggest of the bunch
Starting with the biggest of the bunch, the 46 SMY is big enough to pack in a lot of accommodation but can still be easily handled by a couple. This yacht has all the cool features of the 465 SUV, with one major difference: a large, open flybridge. Riviera’s heritage is steeped in flybridge motor yachts, and the 46 SMY pays homage to those great yachts while adding modern touches, like an internal staircase that really make this new yacht shine. The flybridge is spacious, delivering over 144 square feet of living space. In addition to the two plush Pompanette adjustable helm seats, there’s a comfortable lounge ahead of the helm with a dropdown table, drink holders and stereo speakers. I like this set-up because the helmsperson can easily communicate with people hanging in the skylounge, and if children are on board they’re in your sight.
The spacious living areas of the 46 SMY.
(Left) The 465 SUV master stateroom and the starboard configuration with a two-bunk set-up. (Right) 4600 SY VIP stateroom.
Accommodations
Below deck, both the 46 SMY and 465 SUV have the primary stateroom forward with an island berth and ensuite head. The other two staterooms under the main saloon have standing headroom at their entrances, lowering slightly at the beds. Hull windows keep the staterooms light, and there is nearly a metre above the beds, making them cosy but not claustrophobic. These staterooms can be configured with twin bunks, or one or both can be a double cabin, which gives excellent versatility and no bunk beds. Alternatively, the 4600 SY features a full-beam owner’s cabin under the saloon with an ensuite head, in addition to a VIP stateroom forward that features a double island berth and head access. The third port twin bed stateroom can be optioned on the 4600 SY as a lower-deck lounge. Either way, you get two substantial double staterooms and twin pullman beds or the open lounge, which could be used for sleeping when needed.
(Left) The class of 46. (Right) The 4600 Sport Yacht Platinum Edition helm.
(Left) The 46 SMY flybridge is spacious, delivering over 144 square feet of living space. (Right) Optional Volvo Penta D11 IPS 950s.
Enjoy the Riviera 465 SUV, 46 Sports Motor Yacht and 4600 Sport Yacht Platinum Edition profile films.
From the helm
I was able to drive only one of these three yachts – the Riviera 46 SMY – but observed the 4600 SY as she ran with us. The 4600 SY was fast and nimble as we manoeuvred the yachts side by side, and looked stylish with her deep-V bow cleanly slicing through the short chop. Aboard the 46 SMY, optional Volvo Penta D11 IPS 950s pushed us smoothly and rapidly as we jockeyed up alongside the 4600 SY. All controls were in easy reach of the helm, including the throttles and joystick, twin Garmin MFDs, CZone, engine monitors, Muir windlass remote, stereo controls and a compass. With only 6 degrees maximum bowrise, I could see comfortably over the bow, even from the aft position helm.
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Ron provides the reader with a deep dive into the differences, characteristics and distinctions between the models, as well as the commonalities of styling and usability.
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