Purpose and Passion
February 25, 2025
Jeff Peterson’s journey with classic wooden boats, from a restored Chris-Craft to a rare Riva Aquarama, reflects his deep passion for craftsmanship and history.
Jeff Peterson’s journey with classic wooden boats, from a restored Chris-Craft to a rare Riva Aquarama, reflects his deep passion for craftsmanship and history.
It’s little wonder this Diva has made a splash on social media, with enviable interiors and a scintillating style all her own.
“Bel Sogno” is hull #2 of Riva’s 88 Florida line and has everything you would expect from one of the most prestigious Italian shipyards—performance, quality, class—and more.
Beauty and classic design elements tend to win out for Riva’s elegant marque. The Dolceriva is no exception.
Riva’s Dolcevita 110 is an instant classic and a towering achievement of ultra-luxurious, Italian design.
Our boat test of the Riva 56 Rivale. A top speed of 37-plus knots is only part of the performance equation for the Riva Rivale 56.
The Aquarama was an ideal runabout at about 26 feet, and today enjoys iconic status particularly as a tender. All told there were 768 Aquaramas built, however it’s less clear how many of those are still around.
photo courtesy of Riva Yacht
To answer this blog’s titular question in short: Of course it does. The real question, masked by that rhetorical one, is “How much does yacht design matter?” It matters to boaters, and to those who are thoughtful enough to understand the importance of boat design in the greater context of how it represents and reminds us of our collective past, and how its halo affects other kinds of design.
Riva 63 VirtusThe 63 Virtus is the new flagship for Riva’s open line, a build-type steeped in glamorous history. In the past Riva owners have included movie stars and royalty, so it’s with some excitement that those who follow that sort of thing anticipate exactly who will spring for this largest of the Riva opens. Whoever does open up their
As an encore to the 2005 debut of its 115-foot flagship, Athena, the Italian builder Riva introduces its newest offering, the 92-foot Duchessa Fly. Filling a gap between Athena and the 85 Opera Super, she’s arguably the sleekest and most stylish of Riva’s decidedly upscale large offerings.Illustration: Bruce Alderson
Jeff Peterson’s journey with classic wooden boats, from a restored Chris-Craft to a rare Riva Aquarama, reflects his deep passion for craftsmanship and history.
It’s little wonder this Diva has made a splash on social media, with enviable interiors and a scintillating style all her own.
“Bel Sogno” is hull #2 of Riva’s 88 Florida line and has everything you would expect from one of the most prestigious Italian shipyards—performance, quality, class—and more.
Beauty and classic design elements tend to win out for Riva’s elegant marque. The Dolceriva is no exception.
Riva’s Dolcevita 110 is an instant classic and a towering achievement of ultra-luxurious, Italian design.
Our boat test of the Riva 56 Rivale. A top speed of 37-plus knots is only part of the performance equation for the Riva Rivale 56.
Revel in the Luxury that is the Riva 88 Florida.
Named one of the prettiest boats of all time by Power & Motoryacht.
The Aquarama was an ideal runabout at about 26 feet, and today enjoys iconic status particularly as a tender. All told there were 768 Aquaramas built, however it’s less clear how many of those are still around.
Video of the Riva 63 Virtus underway.
Power & Motoryacht’s first look at the Riva 122 Mythos.
photo courtesy of Riva Yacht
To answer this blog’s titular question in short: Of course it does. The real question, masked by that rhetorical one, is “How much does yacht design matter?” It matters to boaters, and to those who are thoughtful enough to understand the importance of boat design in the greater context of how it represents and reminds us of our collective past, and how its halo affects other kinds of design.
Riva 63 VirtusThe 63 Virtus is the new flagship for Riva’s open line, a build-type steeped in glamorous history. In the past Riva owners have included movie stars and royalty, so it’s with some excitement that those who follow that sort of thing anticipate exactly who will spring for this largest of the Riva opens. Whoever does open up their
As an encore to the 2005 debut of its 115-foot flagship, Athena, the Italian builder Riva introduces its newest offering, the 92-foot Duchessa Fly. Filling a gap between Athena and the 85 Opera Super, she’s arguably the sleekest and most stylish of Riva’s decidedly upscale large offerings.Illustration: Bruce Alderson
