Description
TYPE OF BOAT: Riva
LAUNCH YEAR: 1950
COUNTRY OF CONSTRUCTION: Italy
ARCHITECT: Carlo Riva
MANUFACTURER: Riva Shipyard
HISTORY: The Riva shipyard was created in 1842 on Lake Iseo, at Sarnico in Italy by Pietro Riva. Pietro quickly gained much respect and recognition in Sarnico, including repairing numerous boats damaged by a terrible storm shortly after his arrival. Ernesto Riva, his son, introduced internal combustion engines on the yard’s boats. But it was Carlo Riva, back from a trip to the United States in 1951, who was inspired by the Chris-Craft runabout boats and gave the brand all its prestige.
In the 1950s Riva became synonymous with elegance, status and perfection. Selected materials of the highest quality, meticulous care for the smallest details, unparalleled and long-standing expertise and know-how. Riva’s designs became the object of desire of the aristocracy, award-winning athletes, successful businessmen and movie stars. Even today, these jewels retain intact all the charm of the time, made up of paparazzi, movie stars wearing glamorous scarves and parasols, celebrity love stories, luxury and timeless elegance.
In November 1962 the myth was born: it is called Aquarama. Since its presentation, at the third Milan International Boat Show, the Aquarama has become the symbol of Riva par excellence, almost “a brand within the brand”.
In September 1969, Carlo Riva sold the shipyard to the American company Whittaker, retaining the role of president and general manager, from which he resigned in 1971. These roles were then assumed by Gino Gervasoni, his partner since 1950. Old and new models evolve, the Riva tradition continues. In 1989, a year after the English group Vickers, of which the Rolls Royce brand was a part, had bought 100% of Riva’s shares, Gino Gervasoni, who had married Carlo Riva’s sister, left the yard after 41 years of work. activity. This is how the presence of the Riva family at the site came to an end.
Riva built its last wooden boat in 1996. In total, around 4,000 wooden boats were built by the brand.