![]() The transom was sloped to allow easy access to the water. Wicker drink trays were built into the backs of the forward seats, and a beautiful sunpad was designed over the engines. I know it’s over-hyping it, but I have to say my day aboard Gala-probably because I knew so much about Aquarama’s history-was one of my most memorable days on the water after 30 years of testing boats.īeyond the beautiful, varnished wood and chrome work, features like the bow anchor locker, with a clever self-retrieving anchor system, and the soft canvas top had a huge spring inside to make it easy to raise and lower the canvas when it started to rain. I had the helm a few hours but let the captain dock it, as the mahogany finish was flawless and I didn’t want to leave any scratches. There was a sense of grace and performance, especially considering its age, that I hadn’t felt before. When the hull slapped it was a much softer sound than fiberglass. It was such an enjoyable boat to drive, turning sharp with the twin engines. “The sound of the engines, the wood, the beautiful sweep of the hull, the performance,” he says, listing the attributes.Ĭarlo Riva’s creation is celebrating the 60th anniversary of its launch in August. Galassi, who had wanted an Aquarama as a child, believes that the Aquarama is the most perfect design ever. We didn’t find any big seas running around Lake Iseo, but the lake, with mountains in the distance, was a perfect backdrop to this 52-year-old beauty. The hull had been designed for ocean running-after Riva had been chided by a longtime friend for building “lake boats.” And the side throttles were also modeled on a car to make it more intuitive for new owners who were not necessarily boaters. The oversized steering wheel felt perfect for a boat that would’ve been compared to a Cadillac or Lincoln in its day. ![]() The hand-built wooden hulls were built on a production line like cars for quality control and timely delivery.Īt the dock, Gala had a stately presence, with pinstripes on the light-colored mahogany foredeck, a beautiful reddish-tinted hull, gleaming chrome, and a wraparound automotive-style windshield which was radical for the day. Riva had decided early on to model the Aquarama after the finest luxury cars with throaty American marine engines ( Gala had twin 320 hp Rivas, which were modified Crusaders). ![]() Unlike most boats, the helm is on the left side. Owned by Ferretti Group CEO Alberto Galassi, Gala was a stunning wooden boat, with ivory-colored upholstery, a Calax-style steering wheel inspired by a 1958 Chrysler 300, and side throttles. Designed by Mauro Micheli and its Officina Italiana Design, the new boat places itself side to side with the Aquariva, already become in the space of few seasons, one of the "classic" boats of the recent history of the shipyard of the Iseo Lake.The boat was meticulously crafted from wood. Fast for transfers, agile to drive thanks to the very smart central console, comfortable for enjoying the sea thanks to the wide swim-platform, wide sunbed, inviting sofas for a snack or drink on the prow, Sunriva is - as in Riva tradition - full of comfort (including, obviously, a toilette space). Sunriva is a 10 meters, ideal for living intensively a day in the sea. Sunriva, last born and the absolute brand-new model at the Boat Show in Genoa, represents once again this ability of renewal and proposal. With these characteristics Riva could interpret the relationship between the ship owner and the sea even in the small-size boats. Riva entered the pleasure boating history thanks to fantasy, genius, and style. It does exist a different way of sailing.
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