Riviera 6800 SY Platinum Edition

When researching a new yacht, don’t overlook a key resource that may help answer many questions.

When researching a new yacht, don’t overlook a key resource that may help answer many questions.

Typically, when in the market for a new ride, regardless of size, there is (or should be) a fair amount of homework completed before you even get onboard for a sea trial, much less put your dollars on the table. Besides performing a general Google search or review of yachts on those “boat boards” where you may see the same yacht listed under several brokers. (I know, confusing right!), there is a resource that should be reviewed for some direct answers. And that’s the builder’s website.

Throughout my career, I have been on seemingly hundreds of boats/yachts, spent endless hours from the helm down to the bilge and all points in between, and met sporty seas while at the wheel. Not every builder is astute at telling the compelling story of its latest offering or company history.

But I will go on a limb and tell you this: While looking into the Riviera 6800 Sport Yacht (SY) Platinum Edition that I was about to sea trial, I realized that the Riviera site (rivieraaustralia.com) is one of the best I have utilized.

Web wonder

What makes a great website? When a builder offers copious amounts of information on the model you are reviewing and its other offerings.

A great website allows you to see a trend of which models and designs work. Peppering in some background and history on the company, photos of the yachts in use, video walkthroughs (Riviera builds them into an online brochure) and specs create an overall inviting sense with every click and scroll.

Moreso, one has to believe that if a company is that laser-focused on its web presence, it must be as determined to craft the best yacht possible. This is evident in the 6800 Sport Yacht.

The “Platinum Edition” means this 6800 has the best of the best, from superior luxury to top-end amenities, beautifully handcrafted and finished woodwork, and timeless styling. Teaming with superyacht designer Luca Vallebona, Riviera is making another bold statement with this latest flagship.

From the dock, the 6800 has a sleek, low-profile design, accentuated thanks to the extended and very practical overhead aft awning, low arch and unbroken, level sheer. Hullside windows and main deck windows flood the interior with ambient light.

It’s evident from the broad shoulders, wide beam (18 feet, 3 inches) and high main deck (it is five steps from the triple-tiered swim platform to the aft deck) that the interior living spaces are spacious and comfortable.

Main event

With a focus on forming separate entertaining areas, Riviera has creatively accomplished that while also offering an open layout so, if desired, the main deck can feel like one entire area.

When entering the salon from the aft cockpit deck, you transit through the aft galley. Splitting it between port and starboard, the layout offers all the appliances one would need, including a full-size fridge with two fridge/freezer drawers below, two additional freezer drawers, a large split sink, a flat cooktop, a dishwasher, a microwave, an oven, a wine chiller and more. Finished in high-gloss walnut with Corian wraparound counters, the area fits right into the overall décor when not in use.

Interestingly, you think the galley is aft, but it’s really in the center of the yacht. Open the sliding door and drop the aft window into the bulkhead and now the aft deck, galley, salon and helm become a one-level living space. With a beefy L-settee to port with accompanying high-gloss wood dining table, transom bench seat and entertainment center to starboard (with grill, ice, fridge and sink), you can spend day and night just relaxing on the 148-square-foot cockpit deck. There’s also a privacy screen across the transom. C’mon in For a more formal setting, the main salon embraces guests with ample seating and magnificent views thanks to the unimpeded large side windows and almost 7 feet of headroom. Along the port side is a very plush U-settee with an ottoman. Cleverly designed to hide within the center seat is a large high-gloss wood table that stores and flips out from the seat structure. When not in use it saves space and makes this another great lounge area for watching the pop-up TV on the starboard side. Just under the TV is a deep couch and forward is a pantograph door to the walk-around side decks.

On the port side is another comfy L-settee, right across from the captain. This is a great ride-along seat, close to the captain and with all-around visibility. It’s also a cool place to curl up with a morning coffee.
Taking charge

Take command at the starboard helm station, complete with triple Garmin 23-inch multifunction displays nestled in the leather-encased console. Just below, additional displays and switches are mounted in a carbon fiber dash. The throttle, joystick and thruster controls are in the fixed right-side extension. Large windshields and opening side windows result in great visibility, fore and aft.

Let me say that running the 6800 at wide open is an exhilarating feeling that is quiet and sure-footed. We opened her up to 2440 RPM, cutting the slight chop at 33 knots, burning 102 gph. Not a shimmy, shake or rattle to be found. It was a smooth ride thanks in part to the solid glass hull.

Of course, you won’t always run like that, so pull back to a cruising speed of around 26 knots at 2100 RPM for a burn of 70 gph. This yacht is set to handle the speed or just stroll around the harbor. I’m also thinking it could transit the Great Loop, thanks to the 19-foot, 4-inch air draft. Note that you can get around the powerplants in the engine room to perform maintenance, but it is a bit cozy in a few spots.
Time to chill

This 6800 has four staterooms (it comes in a three-room configuration also, converting one guest to an atrium area). The full-beam primary stateroom is midship with a Jack/Jill head, toilet room and large shower stall. There’s a vanity to starboard and a chaise lounge to port.

An optional crew quarters or work/storage area to port has entry via the engine room, which has separate access from the boarding platform or the primary stateroom if required. A VIP is forward in the bow with an ensuite head. Two guest rooms have double berths, side by side and upper/lower configs.

Looking for the perfect spot? Head to the foredeck to find an exemplary design in bow seating. Walk around the Portuguese bridge to the open centerline, where you’ll discover two L-shape bench seats with backrests. Each lounger has an in-deck table. Moving forward are port and starboard sunpads. The three-piece padding on each lounger has flip-up pads that act as backrests, offering varying configurations for sitting facing fore, aft or both.

There’s so much more happening on the 6800, including side boarding doors, a port joystick in the cockpit, a garage for a 12-foot tender (this area is about 14 feet deep and doubles as wet storage), a three-level hydraulic swim platform, sunroofs, twin helm seats with diamond stitching, armrests and footrests, and so much more.

If you want to do your homework, head to the website to find more information and fabulous photos. Deciding to buy the 6800 Sport Yacht Platinum Edition? Head to your nearest Riviera dealer to take a look for yourself.