Riviera 51 Series II
By George Sass Jr.
Interior
 A staircase to the salon provides access to the lower deck. As is customary on sport-fish models outside North America, the 51 has a three-panel forward-facing windshield in the salon, which can be ordered as a solid front with attendant storage space in the brow. Beneath the salon is a huge space where the engines used to be. The fuel tank remains on centerline, and behind the tank you'll find an open stowage area. On our boat, it held deck chairs, food, cases of wine and beer, and various water toys. With a little creativity, the space could turn into an incredible tackle locker with plenty of rod storage. The space also holds the generator, pumps and air-conditioning unit, creating an easy service environment. Riviera offers an option to fit this out as crew stateroom and head as well.
Cockpit
The aft portion of the cockpit lifts to access the triple IPS 600s. Surprisingly, there is ample space on all sides of the engines for routine service. If you're in a sloppy seaway with boarding seas and need to service the engine, you can alternatively gain access to the engine compartment from the salon. I would hesitate to open the large cockpit hatch in nasty conditions.
The cockpit features a lighted livewell, tackle-prep station, fish boxes and additional stowage along the sides of the cockpit. Riviera glasses in a backing plate to make every cockpit ready to accept the installation of a fighting chair.
The wide side decks take some of the gymnastics out of the passage to the foredeck, and our boat was equipped with side rails down three-quarters of the gunwale. If you want to dial your 51 up for a more tournament-ready profile, you can choose an optional pulpit treatment.
The fit-and-finish of the interior is well executed, with extra attention given to utilizing every available inch of dead space. This boat could easily head off to Mexico or the Bahamas filled with everything a demanding crew needs. Thanks to large overhead hatches, the master stateroom to starboard doesn't feel as cave-like as some convertible designs. Another double is forward, and a second guest stateroom with twin bunks lines the port passageway.
Like a lot of boatbuilders these days, Riviera took some hits in the recent economic downturn. Yet after two factory visits in the past 12 months, it's obvious to me that the company is once again investing in new products and looking forward. Oh, and lest the thought of owning a boat whose builder resides on the other side of the world gives you pause, Riviera has a full-service sales and maintenance facility in Stuart, Florida, too.
Specifications
LOA......58'2"
Beam......16'2"
Draft......3'8"
Deadrise......15 degrees
Weight......48,060 pounds
Fuel......978 gallons
Water......227 gallons
Power......Triple 435 hp Volvo IPS 600 diesels
Price......On request
The Riviera Group / Stuart, Florida / 772-872-7260 / www.riviera.com.au
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