Why is it that hairstyles are often indicative of the zeitgeist of an era? Take the undercut, for example. It was the avant-garde trim of choice during my childhood, and one that was unique because it allowed the youth of the day to walk around relatively anonymously. It was only if and when they drew those ‘hair-curtains’ back that their modish secret was revealed. Now you may ask what an outdated teenage hair fad has to do with a new 7 million USD yacht and the answer is that they’re both splendid examples of the art of stealth.
Presented to the region for the first time at an exclusive event organised by Riva’s regional dealer, ART Marine, ahead of this year’s Dubai International Boat Show, the 88 Florida may appear unassuming from afar but up close she’s a shocker. That’s because her impeccable proportions mask just what a beast of an open top powerboat she is. With just a single deck stretching out almost 27 metres and topsides that raise the exterior walkways to the equivalent height of a standard 30-metre trideck’s, she’s as unconventional as they come.
The Florida was designed by Mauro Micheli, who, since 1984, has been both the creative force behind Riva and their gatekeeper of design continuity. Remarkably, the company hired Micheli when he was just a young design contest winner but from his very first project, the Riva Bahamas, they recognised what a unique talent he was and stuck with him, even after he left and established his own firm, Officina Italiana Design. And he has gone on to pen every new Riva to emerge over the last two decades with a body of work that clearly demonstrates an uncanny ability to remain fresh and surpass market expectations, all the while respecting a brand’s roots.
For those familiar with the Riva range you’ll have noticed that the Florida is in fact the same size as the Domino. That’s because they share the same hull. But where the two boats differ is in their superstructures: the Domino is a flybridge and the Florida a coupé. To further distinguish them, Micheli chose to replace the Domino’s darker shade of metallic ‘London’ grey with a lighter ‘Moon’ grey on the Florida, which is elegantly enhanced by the yacht’s black detailing, such as in Riva’s now-signature continuous glazing of the hull that permits impressively large windows below deck.
A further point of distinction with the Florida is at the very aft of the yacht where, rather than opting for a tender crane or tender rollers, the entire central section of the teak-lined transom can be lowered by up to a metre underwater so as to allow easy ingress and egress of a 3.8-metre RIB, and adjacent Jetski (from beneath the king-sized sunpad), as well as provide a space to soak or play in shallow waters.
But, if we are to single out the most notable feature on the Florida then that would of course be its patented convertible top system, inspired by automotive design, which transforms the boat from a hardtop coupé to an open express, and back again, at the push of a button.
“The 88 Florida is truly one of a kind in the entire yachting sector because of the innovative system that harmonises two sporty souls in one single yacht; it is an idea that came from Officina Italiana Design in close cooperation with Ferretti Group’s Product Strategy Committee and the Group’s Engineering Department,” says Micheli. The system works by way of hydraulic pantographically extendable arms that move the fibreglass hardtop out (from its normal position, locked between the windscreen and the radar hoop) and over the foredeck where it can either provide shade over a C-shaped lounge or clamp down onto it, thereby sealing the space from wind and spray. According to Micheli, such a high-tech electro-mechanical ballet originated from the desire to match the technical development of materials with a fluidity of movement in order to create unique design features.
“Open-top boating is like driving a cabriolet,” says Micheli, “it gives you a particular sense of freedom but it’s also whimsical of course, because you don’t really need a cabriolet, do you?” He’s right and it is probably for this reason that there are so few large open-top boats on the market today. Perhaps the best and most popular example of such a vessel is Overmarine’s Mangusta 80, which certainly pushed the envelope from the high standards already set by Cantiere Navale Arno’s Leopard Sport 21.5 but amazingly, neither shipyard actually makes fully open yachts anymore, so not only does the Florida pick up their baton, it has raced off into the distance with its superior size and innovation.
Obviously, the Florida will be a little too large for most owners to pilot themselves but if you wanted to, it’s a cinch to drive. Set ahead of a central lounge-cum-dining area featuring a square eight-person dinette table (which unfolds into a diamond), the pilot is joined by two co-pilot seats and a lounger to enable those more interested in the yacht’s workings to share the delights of the integrated helm systems and traditional dial instruments that reveal what cannot be seen over the horizon beyond the bow.
To the right of the pilothouse is a set of stairs; this is the main access point for guests to reach their cabins (the captain and two crew have their own hatch to their quarters hidden in the port side cabinets behind the main deck dining area). There are four en-suite staterooms, all of which boast over two metres in ceiling height and a décor with elm wood details, in a throwback to the stylish ways of the late 1980s and early 1990s. The wood’s treatment however, is given a contemporary makeover thanks to a ‘Manopesca’ finish, which lends it a peach-like texture akin to a soft fabric. Other elements that make up the interior aesthetic include leather, stainless steel, LED ceiling lights and lacquered surfaces.
The three guest cabins (two doubles and a twin) are positioned ahead of the main saloon, which comprises a C-shaped sofa and coffee table to starboard facing the galley and wall-mounted flatscreen TV. While not designed for mass dining, the kitchen is well appointed in its space, with an in-built dishwasher and double-door fridge. Then to the rear of the saloon is the master cabin, which takes full advantage of the yacht’s 6.22-metre beam and benefits from large picture windows and a leather-headlined bed facing aft to allow for a spacious en suite with separate WC and wash basin counter fronting the portlight. Garnished with Loro Piana accessories that include cushions and rugs, the master suite is made all the more expansive by the clever concealment of full-length wardrobes and a lift-top TV set into the vanity counter. Another feature of the stateroom is an exclusive custom-made steel and leather chair by Officina Italiana Design, which the owner can order in a greater number if he wishes to add a versatile seating option to the other spaces too.
Back outside the Florida’s bow is an extensive area where you’ll find a bow dinette as well as a large C-shaped sofa backing onto double sunpads that allow relaxation at the very front of the action.
Technically, the Florida is as uncompromising as she looks. She sits on a medium-V hull with 12-degrees of deadrise and the twin 2638hp MTU engine option can speed up to 40 knots (almost 75 km/h) with a range of 325 nautical miles. The lesser 2435hp MTUs sacrifice two knots from the top speed but allow for a longer range of 340 nautical miles (630 km). Displacing over 70 tonnes, the 21-metre waterline flattens out the short chop with ease, hitting the plane at 17 knots and keeping a firm and quiet ride into the mid-20s, which is the best zone for dinner cruising. For those who appreciate steadiness, I’d recommend opting for two Seakeeper stabilisers, which can be installed aft of the engine, because it makes for a big difference while at anchor.
For Ferretti Group’s CEO, Mr. Alberto Galassi, the 88 Florida “turns a new way of enjoying the sea into reality”, so while it adheres to Riva’s hallmark of glamour and performance, it does so with a unique mix of technology, modernism and style, all of which you can only tell when you get up close and personal. Unlike the undercut haircut however, the Florida’s style probably won’t ever be consigned to the past.
Model Riva 88 Florida
Length 26.84m
Beam 6.29m
Draft 1.82m
Displacement 60,000kg
Max speed 38.5 knots
Cruising speed 34 knots
Range 340nm
Guests 8 in 4 cabins
Crew 3 in 2 cabins
Price 7 million USD
Caption: The convertible roof system, which is operated by a single control, is monitored by sensors installed near the individual moving parts, so as to ensure the safety of both guests and the crew during operation. Moreover, the entire procedure, which can be performed even at full speed, is displayed, and can therefore be verified by the captain, on the Naviop touch screen display in the pilot station.
