Riviera 6800 Sport Yacht boat test

Speak to the designers, speak to the craftspeople, at Riviera and it seems unanimous that their latest release is also one of their greatest. That’s because three years of design development went into ensuring the stunning 6800 Sport Yacht Platinum Edition was as flawless as possible.

And it certainly looked that way when the 6800 made its first public appearance on the eve of the 2024 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show (SCIBS). Watching on, against a radiant sunset and the dance of a spotlight, were the families of some 30 very fortunate pre-purchasers.

The 6800 inherits the mantle of Sport Yacht flagship from the 6000, a model that remains timeless after 10 years and 160+ sales. Italian superyacht designer Luca Vallebona, who worked on the 78 Motor Yacht, was enlisted again to collaborate with the in-house team.

What we see, as a result, is a blend of European styling, American sizing and Australian ingenuity and practicality.

Technically, the lithium-ion phosphate battery system offers state-of-the-art power management. Volvo’s Assisted Docking technology seamlessly integrates the IPS joystick and 24V bowthruster. Electric side windows were introduced to the Sport Yacht collection … the list goes on.

From an articulating boarding platform that includes two steps, a pair of teak-lined staircases lead you to the 13.9m2 aft deck. Between the staircases there’s service access to the engine room and a garage door. Launch and retrieval of a 3.7m tender are facilitated by a sliding cradle and winch.

A rear lounge spans the transom, allowing five or six guests to face forward when underway. It has allowed the designers to move the L-shaped dinette forward, where the glass bulkhead and tinted quarter panels afford wind protection and privacy. The bow area is equally well configured for socialising.

Moving to the saloon, the ambience remains light, bright and engaged with the environment, helped by the galley window, side windows and sunroof opening electrically to promote air flow.

The U-shaped galley is located aft, snuggled between the aft deck and saloon dinettes, and it looks stunning with white Corian tops, timber cabinetry and premium appliances.

Amidships, you can relax on a U-shaped leather lounge to watch TV or raise the fold-out table, play cards, and drink in the water views. Extra seating is provided by a sofa behind the helm and a forward companion lounge. 

Down below, the standard four-cabin arrangement has a vee cabin, twin-berth guest suite to port (the beds can slide together) and a twin crossover bunk suite opposite. The latter can be replaced by a lower lounge if an open atrium and reading space is preferred.

Almost 50 per cent of the accommodation zone is devoted to the master suite, with its king-sized island berth, parquetry bedhead, timber bureau, two-seat sofa, one-level carpeted flooring, and a palatial en suite.

Accessible from the port side of this suite, a utility room can serve as a dedicated laundry/storage area or house a crew cabin that leads directly to the engineroom.

Priced from: $4.9M

Price correct as of August 2024

A FULL REVIEW OF THE RIVIERA 6800 SPORT YACHT PLATINUM EDITION RAN IN THE AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2024 (VOLUME 39.4) ISSUE OF CLUB MARINE MAGAZINE.

VISIT RIVIERA AUSTRALIA FOR MORE INFORMATION.