Find out how the Riva Iseo fared in our boat test
They
say that beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder, but you would surely have to
possess very peculiar eyes to judge the Riva Iseo as anything but amazingly
beautiful. Yet the Iseo’s magic extends much further than appearances. Hidden
beneath the twenty coats of varnish on its gleaming mahogany foredeck lies
immensely strong resin infused composite construction, and a level of
engineering excellence that is no less than that you’d find on a big Ferretti.
This
nippy sportsboat holds some surprises too. Although its 40 knot top speed is
achieved with a 320hp Yanmar sterndrive, Riva offer a waterjet version too,
ideal for superyacht owners looking for a classy tender. Plus, there’s a hybrid
version which mates the diesel to a powerful electric motor, capable of pushing
the Iseo along at 7.5 knots in almost complete silence.
Beyond
all these technical niceties, there are layers of exquisite detailing to marvel
at: slatted stainless steel air intakes set into the aft deck, a surprisingly
useful rear view mirror, a magnificent steering wheel, and stainless foredeck
cleats and fairleads which were clearly created for the Iseo, not lifted from a
parts bin. And beyond the details there’s the soul of the Riva Iseo. But words
can’t really capture this – it’s that special something that you have to
experience first hand to really appreciate.
Details
Displacement: 2.86 tonnes
Top Speed: 41 knots
Fuel Capacity: 330 litres
Beam: 8 ft 3in (2.5m)
Water Capacity: 88 litres
Length Overall: 27ft 2in (8.24m)
