Our son’s spring break was coming up and we had been selected by the fraternity to host the event on our Riviera 61 Enclosed Flybridge that gave us four cabins and three bathrooms for the comfort of all on the trip. We picked the kids up at the port in record time and made our way down the coast to Ft. Lauderdale and then on to Daytona Beach at the marina. The beauty of this yacht was that it came with a private lounge that gave my wife and me some privacy from the kids as they reveled in their youth on spring break.
Spring often brings some radical weather up and down the eastern seaboard but the internal staircase connected the Flybridge and saloon. This arrangement made the two spaces one when the weather got a little rowdier that we liked. We always felt safe and were definitely comfortable.
It amazed us how well the space is utilized on the yacht. The fully enclosed Flybridge included a luxurious lounge that was so comfortable that once we were seated all guests felt they had the best seat in the house. The viewing aft deck has a small lounge that will seat three and connects to the Flybridge interior.
The party was constant through spring break and the saloon was the center of activity during the trip. The liquor cabinet has a bar refrigerator with icemaker, the galley is a chef’s delight. The luxury of this yacht is absolutely superb. The attention to detail and fine craftsmanship is evident in every square inch of the yacht.
The hull is designed with the very latest technology and we felt safe at all times, even in seas that were a little rough. The captain was able to maintain a smooth ride throughout the night as the seas tossed up four to five foot waves.
We were able to keep an eye on the party as the trip progressed with monitoring cameras that had been fitted to the saloon in the sky, cockpit and engine room. The display screens located in the Flybridge allowed us to make sure that the kids stayed safe throughout the entire trip.
You give up few amenities with this yacht. Its fine wood is polished to a mirror finish that speaks elegance and style in every square inch of the yacht. The large granite bench top in the fabulous galley will provide your chef with all the amenities they are accustomed to using in a normal kitchen. The meals that can be produced are marvelous.
The water filtration system was a heaven sent amenity because some of the ports we stopped at had boil orders on the marina docks. This avoided the problems that come from drinking different water at each stop. The designers of the Riviera 61 Enclosed Flybridge paid attention to all the fine details that make a luxury yacht just that: a luxurious vessel.
As the trip progressed the kids all enjoyed the opportunity to swim, snorkel and scuba dive. The yacht is designed for easy side access from the water as well as a landing deck that offers a gate that will allow the ladder to drop down and provide easy climbing back aboard. The ladies were especially appreciative of this feature. Our stint as chaperones was one of the most pleasurable memories of our lives, and the main reason is the beautiful Riviera 61 Enclosed Flybridge.
Specification of the Riviera 61 Enclosed Flybridge:
Length Overall: 19.63 m/64′ 5″
Beam: 5.40 m/17′ 9″
Maximum Draft: 1.58 m/5′ 2″
Dry Weight: 30,500 kgs/67,200 lbs
Engines: 2 x Caterpillar, 747 KW, 1,015 HP each
Fuel Capacity: 6,550 l/1,731 gal
Water Capacity: 1,000 l/264 gal
Sleeping Capacity: 7 persons
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Related links:
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Photo: riviera.com.au