The first-ever convertible top Riva 88 Florida luxury yacht debuted in Monaco yesterday. The newest Riva seamlessly transforms from a sporty open boat to a hard top coupe yacht with a touch of the button.
The video below shows the 26.84 metre Riva 88 Florida running through the waves then transforming right before our eyes from open yacht to coupe.
Inspired by automotive design, the Riva 88 Florida utilises a Convertible Top system exclusively patented by the Ferretti Group, Riva’s parent company. This system is seen for the first time on this yacht.
When not in use, the convertible top covers the seating area on the bow, appearing like a natural part of the deck. A single control allows the Convertible Top to be opened and closed with the touch of a button. Two hydraulically driven arms connected to the hard top lift it up, while an electronic power unit provides smooth movements of all the components. Sensors monitor the moving parts and ensure guest safety as the hard top slides up and back, connecting with the windshield.
Visually, the Convertible Top is perfectly integrated with the deckhouse design, and it is also designed to be extremely safe, locking into the windshield and anchors into the roll bar with an electro-hydraulic anchoring system.
In coupe mode, a large C-shaped settee and dinette usually concealed by the hard top is revealed.
Designed in collaboration between Ferretti Group, Ferretti Technical Department, Officina Italiana Design and yacht designer Mauro Micheli, the Riva 88 Florida is clearly part of the Riva family with sleek, sexy exterior styling.
Her metallic grey hull, in shade Riva calls Moon Grey, is striking as she speeds along the water reaching up to 38.5 knots max and cruising at 34 knots with a standard engine configuration of twin 2,435hp MTUs. With optional 2,638hp MTU engines, she can reach a top speed of 40.5 knots.
Inside, she has four en suite staterooms, with a décor said to be inspired by the late 1980s and early 1990s Riva yachts – the first to be designed by Mauro Micheli. This translates to a retro meets contemporary motif, with lots of elm wood, leather, lacquered surfaces and steel.