Riva 66 Ribelle on test: (not so) sporty, classy, comfy

“Hi-tech sportfly” is the definition of Riva 66 Ribelle, although what stands out after our test is not the performance but the overall comfort.

The main curiosity in testing the Riva 66 Ribelle comes from the fact that it’s supposed to be a sporty boat, but with a large displacement and a traditional shaft propulsion. And, it’s the largest model among the ones built still in Sarnico, on Lake Iseo, the historical headquarters of the company.
But it’s time to step onboard, and immediately the decor and the design solutions catch the eye: so that’s where we start our report from.

Get on board in luxury

The profile of the hull, in the new Blue Sapphire color, is characterized by large windows on the hull and superstructure and by the careful use of new styling elements in mahogany and polished stainless steel: a homage to the tradition of the Sarnico yard. Specifically, the beautiful-looking materials are used on the stern corners, the garage door and the handrails of the superstructure.
The steps leading to the cockpit on the port side partially dive under the water surface when moving the swim platform, so that further steps on the hull are revealed and there you have a nice ladder to get out of the water. The garage can house a Williams 345 tender and a Seabob.

The cockpit features a sunbed and a dinette with a mahogany table and a sofa to starboard. Under the solarium there’s the crew cabin accessible from the main deck, with a single bed and a heads.

As for the interiors, our unit of Riva 66 Ribelle sports opaque mahogany joinery, steel, and lacquered surfaces in blue and white shades, same colors for hides and leather elements. The décor of this very boat has been made in cooperation with luxury brands such as Penelopeoggi and Mastrotto for the hides of the main deck and the master cabin, Mariaflora for the cushions in the salon and in the cabins, Redaelli for bedspreads and cushions. The salon can boast a 2.05 meter headroom and benefits of the light coming from the large windows mentioned above.

On the lower deck, the standard layout offers three cabins: a mid-ship master, a vip and a double cabin. All have en-suite, but the third one can count on a double access and can also be used as a day toilet. The large open galley down the staircase is perfectly designed, although we can only trust that the extractor fan is fairly sized, in order to prevent the fumes and smells of cooking from disturbing the passengers. It’s still a Riva!

The test

My perplexities about the large displacement and shaft transmissions are confirmed as we get out of the Cannes port: the Ribelle shows a “massive” progress which will be appreciated by most of its future owners, but which is far by being sporty.

I really enjoy the hydraulic
wheelhouse
which is sensitive
and precise, and even features
an automatic return to the
neutral position like on a car

On the other hand, the handling is excellent even with cross waves. As for the piloting position, I’m not a giant and I suffer the automatic trim adjuster, as its software keeps the boat’s nose a bit too much on the up side. I really enjoy the hydraulic wheelhouse which is sensitive and precise, and even features an automatic return to the neutral position like on a car. The Aventics throttle levers are efficient and very good to look and touch.

 

The official figures are confirmed by our readings as I reach a top speed of 36.8 knots at 2320 rpm. The fuel consumption is massive and doesn’t lower much at 33 which is the official cruising speed. It’s the price to pay when you want to pilot a Riva 66 Ribelle, and it’s no big deal for the prospect owner of this beauty.

The lowest planing speed is 14.6 knots at 1280 rpm, and in this case the engines burn 174 liters of fuel per hour (our sheet will tell you all the other figures). The air conditioning works perfectly and overcomes the partially limited ventilation, as outside air comes just from a hatch on the ceiling and not from the side windows, which don’t open. As for the noise readings, trust us as we tell you that the feeling is of an extremely quiet yacht. Last, a tip: if you want to enjoy more images of the Ribelle, browse the photo gallery on top of the page.

The numbers of Riva 66 Ribelle

  • Length overall ……………………………… 20.54 m (67ft 5in)
  • Length LH ………………………… 20.06 m (65 ft 10in)
  • Beam …………………………… 5.29 m (17ft 4in)
  • Draft ………………………………… 1.80 m (5ft 10in)
  • Full load displacement ……… 46.50 t
  • Dry displacement ………………… 39.50 t
  • Engines …………………………… 2×1550 hp MAN V12
  • Fuel reserve …………………… 3.800 l (1003 US gal)
  • Fresh water reserve ………………… 710 l (187 US gal)
  • Cabins ……………………………………… 3 + 1
  • Berths ………………………………… 6 + 1
  • Heads ………………………………………… 3 + 1
  • CE design category …………………………… A
  • Passengers…………………… 12

Performance

rpm   knots  mph  lph  nm/l range*  dB

600    7,8      9,0     20  0,39  1186      60

1000 12,0    13,8    85  0,14   429       64

1200 14,0    16,1    153 0,09   278      66

1400 18,0    20,7   212 0,08   258     69

1600 23,0    26,5   281 0,08   249     72

1800 28,0   32,2   376 0,07    226    75

2000 31,0   35,7   455 0,07    207    78

2200 35,0  40,3   564 0,06    189    78

2320 37,0   42,6 609  0,06    185    78

*(20% reserve)

Test conditions

Moderate sea, clean hull, fuel 1.330 l (351 US gal), acqua 180 l (47 US gal), 10 passengers

Notizie correlate

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