Given that the domestic market has been in constant decline for the last few years, it is not surprising that European boat manufacturers are increasingly making an effort to break into the North American market in order to maintain their sales and production levels. Now it’s the Ferretti Group’s turn to venture into the Canadian market with the opening of its first dealership in Canada. Established in 1968, the Ferretti Group has a rich heritage and is headquartered in Forli, Italy. Several major brands fall under the Ferretti umbrella, including Pershing, Riva and CRN.

Even though Riva models are fairly rare on this side of the pond, many of us will recognize them by virtue of their wooden construction and vintage design, which seems firmly anchored in the 1960s. The best-known Riva model, the Aquarama, has long been considered the Rolls-Royce of the boating world. It has now proven itself to be a true collector’s item worth its weight in gold. In fact, many Riva models have been featured in a variety of films.

A luxury item
We recently had the chance to try out the Riva Iseo, a truly modern interpretation of the Italian manufacturer’s renowned models. At 27 feet (8.24 m) long, the Riva Iseo is the smallest in the product line. It comes equipped with either a Yanmar diesel engine or a 320-hp Mercruiser 377 MAG gasoline engine paired with a Bravo III-type drive unit.

With an exorbitant price set at close to half a million dollars, it’s clear that the Riva Iseo is not intended to compete with the classic 27-foot models we’ve seen before. You treat yourself to a Riva Iseo to show off your special status, or to use as a dinghy if you already have a much more impressive model.
At first look, the Riva Iseo stands out sharply from the models we’ve tested before. It emanates luxury. Of course, it is not made entirely of mahogany, but its classic lines make it unique, even though you might mistake it for a Chris-Craft. It features a varnished hull and shiny mahogany bow, which brings to mind the polish of classic models. The boat’s proportions are also different from the norm, with the helm console set far forward. To the stern is a long sunpad, one of the distinctive characteristics of Riva models.

Like a car
The manufacturer spared no expense on the quality of the accessories, either. As a result, the boat features an array of stainless steel fittings on the bow, including the electronic anchor in the bow and wide mooring cleats.

Unique in its class, the Riva Iseo is not only stylized, but it was also designed to be easy to use. No other model this size offers a fully electric Bimini top that it is hidden in a special compartment, much like the retractable roof of a convertible car. The car analogy doesn’t stop with the electric roof. The windshield, windshield wipers, instrumentation and rear-view mirror are also car-like. The helm console is rather simple, while the central portion of the port console has special unit to connect your iPad, which an app can turn into the control centre for a variety of features, including the entertainment system. The good news is the iPad is included!

The Riva Iseo can comfortably hold up to six passengers. Two fold-out tables add to the practicality of the layout. A door leads to the small forward compartment, whose usefulness is limited to storing a few objects.

Once on board, you feel like you are on an extraordinary boat, not just because of its personality but because of its ergonomic design, which is light years ahead of what we’ve seen in the past. As soon as the engine is started, you notice how quiet it is. Since Italians appreciate silence on the water, the designers did all they could to dull the sound of the exhaust. Even the quietest noise can be heard—you can have a conversation without shouting. Although it’s not overly powerful, the boat offers dynamic performance, while the shallow V of its hull can turn on a dime. A little caution might be in order…

Of course, the Riva Iseo isn’t the most affordable model, but it truly represents the rich heritage and tradition behind the Riva brand. The experience is like travelling in time. If you want to feel like a wealthy European out for a spin in Saint-Tropez back in the ’60s, this is the boat for you!