88 Domino Super

The sea trial was pubblished on Superyacht 50 – Summer 2016   

Designed and destined to perpetrate the grand and solid tradition which Cantiere Riva rightfully enjoys thanks to its renowned range of planing motor boats. The yard’s 88 Domino Super is back with a pure modern and luxury oozing re-interpretation of the model which had enjoyed considerable success in the past with more than 20 boats built.

This recent new entry of Riva’s is heir to the yard’s renowned sports range, which is capable of thrilling discerning owners thanks to sleek flowing lines, good looks and unusual plentiful space for a boat of its rank. This has not just been an exercise in restyling, a re-drawing of the graphics, but of a new project design which once again features the kind of elegance and mark of quality Riva is so well known for.

Mauro Micheli and Sergio Beretta architects from Officina Italiana Design have both initialled this design work as well as all of the Riva range. The technical aspects were dealt with by Ferretti Engineering. The 88 Domino Super is brother to the very recent Riva 88 Florida since they are of the same size, and the Riva Domino features a streamlined coach roof dotted with a virtually continuous line of window like ports which deliver plenty of natural light and a truly panoramic view from the saloon area. Double glazed cut glass panelling joins together closing the windscreen at centre on each side of a beautiful shiny polished stainless frame sporting the Riva logo.

A black continuous stripe runs the length of the boat making the silhouette look even sleeker while a row of window panels below decks visually connect the main living area to the external surroundings. The cockpit in the stern is richly furnished with a C shaped settee, twin chaises longue a sofa and a dining table with several foldaway chairs which are stowed in the table’s base. Adequate furniture and accessories line the two sides of the cockpit to enhance conviviality. For instance there’s a large ice maker concealed in a cabinet situated on starboard side while to port there’s a sink and access to the crew cabin.

The bathing platform can submerge just below the surface to make it easier to climb back on board after a good swim and to recover and launch the tender which is normally stowed in the hangar at a convenient angle to facilitate launching. A comfortable set of steps lead to the fly bridge where we find a generously sized sun bathing area; a compact helm controls station situated at centre which leaves more than ample space to the area which also hosts a C shaped sofa further forward towards the bow.

The aisles on each side which lead to the bow living area are lined in teak. This area is made up of a dining space, a lounge furnished with a large table and sofa while the sunbathing zone sports soft and comfortable sun pads.

The interiors throughout are well lit and convey a sense of coolness where white is the prevailing colour of the upholstery, the skin of the sofas and ceiling panels. Much of the furniture and bulkheads are in crafted warm wood essences, while embellishing dark brown leather lines some of the furniture sporting contouring stainless steel frames. The effect this portrays is significantly innovative yet elegant.

The main saloon opens out in the stern and comprises three sofas, a leather lined/stainless dining table at centre. A fair sized L shaped piece of furniture is situated on starboard side and a television screen is installed on the back of the forward facing seating of the interior helm controls station which is conveniently raised in relationship to the flooring on the portside to offer a good view.

A set of steps lead down from here to a corridor and the night quarters: the owner’s cabin runs full beam across in the stern area with a great panoramic view, at centre there are two guest cabins with twin beds (one of the two can easily convert into a double by sliding one of the single beds towards the other).

The bow hosts a VIP cabin. Each cabin has a dedicated bathroom and a shower unit. A second set of steps leads to the galley from the saloon. The galley area is large, ergonomically well conceived and is conveniently well separated from the rest.

The crew area is made up of two cabins and a bathroom. This yacht not only possesses astonishing looks but it performs extraordinarily thanks to a pair of MTU 16V 2000 engines which sport 2,435 HP each and propel this nearly 27 metre Riva 88’ Domino Super up to 38 knots with no trouble at all. Her cruising speed of 34 knots is equally astonishing and a 7,500 litre fuel tank capacity can guarantee a range of 330 nautical miles.

For futher information: Riva Yachts

by Martino Motti