Riva Aquarama
Encyclopedia
The Riva Aquarama was a speedboat model built by Italian yachtbuilder Riva. Production ran for over three decades from Aquarama's introduction in 1962 until 1996. Carlo Riva launched the Aquarama runabout
series in 1962. The Aquarama's hull was based on the Riva Tritone – an earlier model speedboat by Riva, which in turn was inspired by the American mahogany Hacker-Craft
runabouts. Because of the boat's speed, beauty and the craftsmanship behind it, the Aquarama was praised as the Ferrari
of the boat world. The company was founded by Pietro Riva in 1842.
and Chrysler
engines 'tuned' by Riva were used. The Aquarama's cruising speed was up to 45 knots. On top of the engine compartment there was a cushioned sundeck. The boats also carried a convertible roof which disappeared behind the rear seat and cockpit. There was a swim ladder mounted in the stern of the boat.
The most famous of Carlo Riva’s designs, the Aquarama has become, over time, more than just a boat. It is celebrated as a nautical legend in its own right. Its evocative name perhaps assured its mythical status, and is derived in part from the widescreen Cinerama movie format, popular in the early 1960s, which is echoed by the boat’s wide windshield.
The Aquarama is a direct descendant of the Tritone, upon whose hull it was based. First built in 1962, it incorporated the open sunbathing area of the Tritone Aperto together with new features, including separate front seats and a central non-slip gangway which allowed easier access to the water at the stern.
's book I Know You Got Soul.
The goal was to develop runabouts that would have the same strengths as the Super Aquarama in terms of build quality, power and livability on board while handling better at sea.
Developed together with Bob Hobbs and Cal Connell, the Monte Carlo Superfast Offshorer 27 (1970s), 30 (1980s) and 32 (early 1990s) was built out of fibre glass and was the first production runabout with a "stepped" hull to improve ride and stability. These engines were centreline mounted with heavy duty chain drives transmitting torque to port or starboard mounted marine gearboxes. The V drives, mounted well forward, powered shallow angle propeller shafts using Radice props. This drive system kept the centre of gravity of the boat much lower than conventional side by side mounted engines, and this contributed to its handling efficiency. Cal Connell was responsible for the engineering of this system, and Bob Hobbs developed the hull form with assistance from Connell. The engines and fittings were mostly by Crusader, the same as those used on Rivas at the time. Most of the Monte Carlo 30 Offshorer used 2 Crusader 454s bringing them up to 55 knots in standard configuration. The boats were built by RAM – the maintenance part of the former Riva company, still owned by the Riva family.
About 400 hulls of the Monte Carlo 30 were built and they mostly replaced Aquarama Specials on the Riviera or were used as yacht tenders.
A Monte Carlo 30 Offshorer driven by James Bond appears in the movie GoldenEye
.
From this time on, however, the concept is slightly different in that performance is no longer the ultimate object. The boats are only offered with diesel engines and are significantly slower than their predecessors.
Runabout (boat)
A runabout is any small motorboat holding between four and eight people, well suited to moving about on the water. Runabouts can be used for racing, for pleasure activities like fishing and water skiing, or as a ship's tender for larger vessels...
series in 1962. The Aquarama's hull was based on the Riva Tritone – an earlier model speedboat by Riva, which in turn was inspired by the American mahogany Hacker-Craft
Hacker-Craft
Hacker-Craft is the name given to boats built by The Hacker Boat Co., the oldest builder of wooden motorboats in the world. It is an American company, founded in Watervliet, New York in the early 1900s by John Ludwig Hacker...
runabouts. Because of the boat's speed, beauty and the craftsmanship behind it, the Aquarama was praised as the Ferrari
Ferrari
Ferrari S.p.A. is an Italian sports car manufacturer based in Maranello, Italy. Founded by Enzo Ferrari in 1929, as Scuderia Ferrari, the company sponsored drivers and manufactured race cars before moving into production of street-legal vehicles as Ferrari S.p.A. in 1947...
of the boat world. The company was founded by Pietro Riva in 1842.
Description
The Riva Aquarama's 8.02 - 8.78 metre hull was carved from mahogany, and was varnished so the beauty of the wood was visible. All versions of the Aquarama were twin engined. Power varied from 185 hp to 400 hp per engine. For example, CadillacCadillac
Cadillac is an American luxury vehicle marque owned by General Motors . Cadillac vehicles are sold in over 50 countries and territories, but mostly in North America. Cadillac is currently the second oldest American automobile manufacturer behind fellow GM marque Buick and is among the oldest...
and Chrysler
Chrysler
Chrysler Group LLC is a multinational automaker headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA. Chrysler was first organized as the Chrysler Corporation in 1925....
engines 'tuned' by Riva were used. The Aquarama's cruising speed was up to 45 knots. On top of the engine compartment there was a cushioned sundeck. The boats also carried a convertible roof which disappeared behind the rear seat and cockpit. There was a swim ladder mounted in the stern of the boat.
Model variants: 1960s and 1970s
- Aquarama (1962–1972) Total build 281
- Aquarama Lungo (1972) Total build 7
- Super Aquarama (1963–1971) Total build 203
- Aquarama Special (1972–1996) Total build 277
The most famous of Carlo Riva’s designs, the Aquarama has become, over time, more than just a boat. It is celebrated as a nautical legend in its own right. Its evocative name perhaps assured its mythical status, and is derived in part from the widescreen Cinerama movie format, popular in the early 1960s, which is echoed by the boat’s wide windshield.
The Aquarama is a direct descendant of the Tritone, upon whose hull it was based. First built in 1962, it incorporated the open sunbathing area of the Tritone Aperto together with new features, including separate front seats and a central non-slip gangway which allowed easier access to the water at the stern.
Other
It is mentioned in Jeremy ClarksonJeremy Clarkson
Jeremy Charles Robert Clarkson is an English broadcaster, journalist and writer who specialises in motoring. He is best known for his role on the BBC TV show Top Gear along with co-presenters Richard Hammond and James May...
's book I Know You Got Soul.
1980s and 1990s – Monte Carlo Offshorer 27, 30, 32, 300
After selling the Riva yard, Carlo Riva was part of the creation of the "Monte Carlo Offshorer" brand.The goal was to develop runabouts that would have the same strengths as the Super Aquarama in terms of build quality, power and livability on board while handling better at sea.
Developed together with Bob Hobbs and Cal Connell, the Monte Carlo Superfast Offshorer 27 (1970s), 30 (1980s) and 32 (early 1990s) was built out of fibre glass and was the first production runabout with a "stepped" hull to improve ride and stability. These engines were centreline mounted with heavy duty chain drives transmitting torque to port or starboard mounted marine gearboxes. The V drives, mounted well forward, powered shallow angle propeller shafts using Radice props. This drive system kept the centre of gravity of the boat much lower than conventional side by side mounted engines, and this contributed to its handling efficiency. Cal Connell was responsible for the engineering of this system, and Bob Hobbs developed the hull form with assistance from Connell. The engines and fittings were mostly by Crusader, the same as those used on Rivas at the time. Most of the Monte Carlo 30 Offshorer used 2 Crusader 454s bringing them up to 55 knots in standard configuration. The boats were built by RAM – the maintenance part of the former Riva company, still owned by the Riva family.
About 400 hulls of the Monte Carlo 30 were built and they mostly replaced Aquarama Specials on the Riviera or were used as yacht tenders.
A Monte Carlo 30 Offshorer driven by James Bond appears in the movie GoldenEye
GoldenEye
GoldenEye is the seventeenth spy film in the James Bond series, and the first to star Pierce Brosnan as the fictional MI6 agent James Bond. The film was directed by Martin Campbell and is the first film in the series not to take story elements from the works of novelist Ian Fleming...
.
2000s – Riva Aquariva
Aquariva continues the Aquarama heritage with elegant sinuous lines, the use of precious woods, and all-around attention to detail.From this time on, however, the concept is slightly different in that performance is no longer the ultimate object. The boats are only offered with diesel engines and are significantly slower than their predecessors.