Year built: 2009
Location: Italy, Adriatic Sea (Fano)
Flag: Great Britain
Cabins / berths: 6 / 18
Hull material: GRP/polyester
Other: fly bridge
Technical data
Length: 26.01 m (85.3 feet)
Beam / draft: 6.15 / 1.60 m
No. of toilets: 5
Heating: yes
Engine: MTU 16V 2000 M91
Engine power: 2 x 2,000 hp (1,471 kW)
Fuel: diesel
Propulsion: shaft drive
Engine hours: ca. 2,050
Cruis. speed: 28 kn
Max. speed: 33 kn
Fuel tank: 8,502 ltr
Fresh water tank: 1,499 ltr
Holding tank: 750 ltr
This 2009 fully, fully loaded Riva 85 Super Opera with ARG stabilizers comes in a superb condition for a spectacular price of only € 1.999.000,- VAT PAID!!
This design from Riva shows that they can still go one better than the others, Riva has built on this tradition with a judicious outpouring of late-modern classics.
As you step on board this Riva 85 Super Opera motoryacht you get a sense of theater. You can almost inhale the quality and you can certainly see it in the detailing as well as in the overall impact.
But you have to step through the saloon doors and there you see the Riva quality in all its glory.
In terms of layout, the Opera follows convention with separate lounge and dining areas on the main deck. The galley is tucked in behind the wheelhouse; the outside door to the galley allows crew access to both of these working areas without disturbing guests. The galley may look "tucked in" but it is still a good size and well equipped for comprehensive meal preparation.
The eight-seat dining table is angled across the room in a space-saving arrangement that leaves room for the day head just behind the pilothouse. On the port side, inside stairs lead up to the flying bridge. You have the option of closing off the dining area from the lounge by means of a wood-slatted Venetian blind. In the lower lounge section everything is squared off in an arrangement that is very smart.
Belowdecks there is the option of a three- or four-stateroom layout; when the fourth cabin is not specified, it is replaced by an office. Quality fabrics offer a contrast in the saloon, but there is greater use of fabric down here to create a softer and lighter look. The beautiful blending of the contrasting textures of wood, leather and fabric orchestrates a rich and restful effect.
The master stateroom has a full-width bathroom across the aft end with a shower cubicle in the center, a bath and washbasin on one side and the head on the other. An eminently practical arrangement becomes stunningly beautiful with wood paneling and marble floors and tops. I think I might spend most of my time on board lying in the bath helpless with admiration. In fact, admiration is a word that comes to mind often on board the Riva, particularly in the way they have raised the game with the interior.
In terms of styling the exterior follows fast motoryacht convention with its rising curves leading up to the flying bridge. There are not too many options here but it is the rich Riva cream finish that fairly oozes luxury. By matching this unique cream coloring with raw teak on the bulwark capping and touches of navy blue trim, Riva achieves their unique house style.
Of course, it would not be a Riva without teak. When you step on board you are surrounded with it, on the decks, the bulwarks and even the large cockpit table. Riva manages a unique richness to its raw teak, a richness that welcomes and embraces you.
There is more teak on the flying bridge, the layout up here is almost circular, the settees and the bar (with barbecue) sweeping round the helm and an adjacent sun bed in the forward section.
An arch mast provides the mounting points for the antenna and also houses the bimini that extends out under power to provide shelter over most of the flying bridge. At the aft end of the flying bridge there is stowage for a jet ski and a launching crane; main tender stowage is a garage built into the transom which-rare caveat-eats into the crew space aft where there are two twin bunk cabins.
For machinery this yacht has a pair of MTU diesels from the 2,000 range. These work through V-drive gearboxes, which keep the engine installation well aft. The 4,000 hp gives this heavy yacht a very agile performance, the speed building up to a respectable 33 knots in all conditions.
The mechanics of singing an aria are a matter of matching brute force with exquisite technique. A perfect example was had when I ran this particular Opera 85 down the beautiful Riviera coastline of Italy in difficult sea conditions; she rose to the occasion, performing as well as she looked.
