The owner of 29-metre Riva Hanna tells Grace Trofa why he'll be changing her name in honour of his dear friend in a few months...
I grew up in the coastal community of Barrington, Rhode Island, on the water. I have probably owned about a dozen boats over the years, but I will never get rid of my 13-metre Intrepid; that boat is wonderfully built and can go anywhere.
Captain Jeff, who has been with me for 17 years, found this great Riva yacht. Every day I pinch myself, I can’t believe I am the owner of this beautiful 29-metre Riva.
I also have a gorgeous Riva Tritone and I keep both at our marina in the heart of Newport. In 1980 my father bought the Brown & Howard Marina and I hope that it will remain in the family. My favourite cruising ground is Sag Harbor, Shelter Island and Montauk. Why would I want to cruise anywhere else when I live in such a beautiful town?
I use the boat for cruising with friends and business associates. You know how sometimes you go to events where you meet old friends and you always promise “let’s get together”, but it never happens? That’s what the boat is for. Sometimes we will cruise to the Hamptons just to get ice cream and then cruise back to Newport.
I look forward to the yacht christening in a few months. I am changing the name in honour of my dear friend Eddie Ricci. When something was special, Eddie liked to say it was beyond beyond, and that’s what I am going to call the boat, in his memory.