Riviera Yacht Boats History & Heritage
Established in 1980 in Terrey Hills, a suburb north of Sydney, Riviera Yachts embarked on its journey as a small-scale operation, crafting the robust Riviera 38 Mk1. This initial model, characterized by its practicality and seaworthiness, featured a squared-off transom and an expansive aft cockpit, ideal for sport fishing.
In 1981, the company relocated to Queensland's Gold Coast, setting up a new shipyard with a team of five, and produced eight boats. This move marked the beginning of steady growth, with each new model building upon the success of its predecessor. Riviera's expansion was rapid, venturing into the US market in 1983 and expanding to Europe in 1985.
Entering the early 1990s, Riviera not only continued its signature flybridge cruisers but also introduced the open-top Offshore series of fast-planing powerboats. The range expanded to include models with enclosed flybridges alongside open flybridge yachts.
By the late 1990s, Riviera had become a major player in the leisure boatbuilding industry, boasting a staff of 280. In preparation for further growth, the company moved into a purpose-built production shipyard in Coomera, a suburb of Gold Coast, which still serves as its headquarters.
The year 2000 brought a refreshed look to the core flybridge cruiser range, setting the stage for the evolution of the current Riviera lineup. After a management buyout in 2002, the company experienced expansion, introduced numerous new models, including the Sport Yacht series, and expanded its dealer network. Despite facing challenges, Riviera emerged from administration in 2010 and returned to private ownership in 2012, with local property developer Rodney Longhurst acquiring the company. Longhurst, serving as the chairman, also oversaw the acquisition of Belize Yachts in the same year.
With a history spanning four decades and the construction of over 5,600 motor yachts, Riviera stands as Australia's leading builder of luxury yachts.
