Riviera 48 Offshore Express

[Le Pasha]

Hey guys, just after some opinions on Riviera's first express boat the 48OE. This is a dedicated game fishing boat and Riviera's entrance into the express market, which is yet to take off down here in Australia.

Just wanna see what you guys think of it in comparison with similar sized US express boats which have been around for a while. It has receieved very good reviews down here and is currently being skippered by one of Australia's premier Giant Black marlin skippers, so it has some support.....

Daniel

[Le Pasha]

Heres a link for the boat - http://www.riviera.com.au/KeyFeature...shore&prdID=14

[Scrambler1]

We're in the market to move up to a larger express in the next year or so, I'll add this one to my list to look at. I'd really like to compare it side by side to the Viking 52 which is at the top of my list right now. How the boat rides is the most important thing for me.

I like the overall lines of the boat. Mezzanine seating is great, something I don't like about the Cabo. I like how open the cabin looks compared to most express boats, but I'm curious if those panels rattle or could come out of their tracks on a rough day. Also while I like how the second bedroom can be set up like a couch, but when set up as bunks is it comfortable for an adult to sleep there? Sometimes pullman berths can be too narrow for a grown man. I'm not sure about that helm, would have to see in person, but I like that it's designed for 3 large screens. Hope there will be one at some of the shows next spring.

[Le Pasha]

I personally haven't seen the boat myself. Which panels are you talking about? I also love the mezzanine, the cockpit is nice and big and the build quality is excellent. The helm will easily fit 3 12'' screens which is a big plus.

Anyone else care to share their opinion?

[Scrambler1]

The panels that enclose the bedrooms, other than the door itself. For the forward bedroom the area above the couch is open, then there is a piece that slides in a track to make it a wall, then the door closes. Similar for the second bedroom. I like the idea just curious how well it will hold up.

[M.E.K.]

My advice, have a marine surveyor take a good look at a new riviera before you purchase one. Have him get a core sample, take moisture readings and take a good look at the engine installation. You would be surprised at what you find.

[Scrambler1]

That is suprising. I hadn't heard anything like that about Riviera in the past?

Moisture in the hull because of voids or overall poor layup process? Engines misaligned or substandard mounting?

[M.E.K.]

Scrambler1 - 5/23/2008 11:26 AM

That is suprising. I hadn't heard anything like that about Riviera in the past?

Moisture in the hull because of voids or overall poor layup process? Engines misaligned or substandard mounting?

I started a thread on the engine installations here:

http://www.thehulltruth.com/forums/t...asp?tid=199868

On that particular boat, the owner decided to go all out and hire a competent naval architect, engineer and a REAL surveyor (not the clowns they hook you up with when a broker or dealer is trying to push through a sale). We found some really interesting things going on like the liberal use of BONDO throughout the lamination!!!! We thought this may have been isolated to this particular boat (perhaps a poor repair?), but we investigated a 2002 36 and found the same. Riviera sent someone from the factory to check the boat, he claimed that it is used in some areas of the boat but very sparingly, when I showed him the core samples that showed otherwise his answer was "SO WHAT!"

I'm not trying to bash riviera, just have someone competent look at the boat for you before you buy, NEW OR USED!

[Le Pasha]

Sounds interesting M.E.K. Although I have no doubt in what you claim, I have never heard of such complaints of Riviera's in Australia. Generaly when it comes to flybridge cruisers here in Australia Riviera is well ahead in the market, I would think any kind of problems like that would leak out pretty quickly

Daniel