Riva Cento: Italian Craftsmanship Meets Ultra-Tech Excellence
The Riva Cento sets the benchmark as the most stylish vessel cruising the Italian lakes. Only 12 units made it to production.
Riva Cento is a sporty, exclusive, limited-edition open yacht that celebrates the Riva legend with a tech-forward contemporary spin. The iconic curved silhouette, gently rising toward the bow with a slight dip amidships, is characteristic of Riva’s elegant styling complete with polished mahogony interiors.
Cento’s deep-vee hull with a fine, slipper-shaped forebody is painted in a fireworks black coat- a metallic hue that elevates the hull’s contours and the yacht's sleek hull lines. At the bow, the hull is relatively sharp and narrow, and cuts through a chop like a butter knife. The Riva Cento isn’t just beautiful, it’s rare. With limited production numbers and meticulous craftsmanship rooted in the legendary Riva tradition, each Cento is sought after, and only twelve units have been produced by the Sarnico-based shipyard. With a length overall of 11.88 m (39 ft 0 in) and a maximum beam of 3.50 m (11 ft 6 in) the Cento features a cabin and full head that make it overnight-capable.
State-Of-The-Art Tech: Fingertip Control
The Riva Cento’s electro-hydraulic mechanisms replace the manual handling of its predecessor with a smarter, quieter, and more precise system that enhances ease of use, responsiveness, and overall operational efficiency. Penned by Mauro Micheli and Sergio Beretta, founders of Officina Italiana Design, the studio designs all Riva boats on an exclusive basis, working in partnership with the Strategic Product Committee led by Piero Ferrari and the Ferretti Group engineering department.
The stern door features an electro-hydraulic system that opens to reveal two sunbeds, storage compartments for fenders (port side) and a Seabob (starboard side), and a retractable gangway. A micro beach club for intimate adventures. The retractable gangway, fully integrated into the transom, can be opened automatically, making it even easier to board and leave the boat. Another neat feature is the bimini top that can be operated by an electro-hydraulic mechanism in the sofa backrest to shelter the cockpit.
Moving forward, a large sun pad with built-in cup holders in the boat’s midship section is followed by the generous cockpit. A C-shaped sofa frames a stainless steel table with a glossy lacquered mahogany top, fitted with an up-down mechanism that lowers it flush with the cushions, transforming the area into a second sun pad. Lastly, to improve the on-board experience, Riva Cento is fitted with underwater lights that facilitate navigation and mooring operations in low-light conditions.
Riva’s Heritage Colorway's and Interior Appeal
Creating an elegant contrast, the leather cushions with ribbed finish, inspired by car design in the 1950s and ‘60s, are available in two signature colorways, biscuit or an aquamarine and white combination, a palette that Riva Cento shares with Riva Anniversario.
Above: The interiors are a nod to the vintage models, with classic aquamarine and white stripes, blended with a contemporary finish. Image via Riva/The Ferretti Group.
Appertivo-Ready!
The stern area contains storage compartments for the life jackets and a shoe drawer, while the two units that separate the cockpit from the helm station, as well as supporting the pilot and co-pilot seats, feature a space on the port side for cocktail preparation accessories, a drawer refrigerator and, behind the hatch on the back of the chair, a sink and work top. On the starboard side, an insulated cooler keeps ice and drinks cold.
A Helm With Old School Prestige Blended With A Modern Finish
In the helm station area, the two pilot chairs on the port side and the single co-pilot chair on the starboard side face two Boening displays (15- and 24-inch). Data is visualised and it is easy to understand how all systems are faring, including the engines, navigation, cartography, the Seakeeper, and the sound system. The steering system is operated by a Volvo Penta joystick for effortless docking, with an electric bow thruster for maximum maneuverability. An elegant touch is the iconic searchlight inherited by Riva Cento from the Aquarama and Aquariva, featured on the port side of the windscreen.
On the hull side, the decorative grille has been updated with a new steel profile containing a polished mahogany insert, decorated with the name “Riva” and a series of small stars, a vestige of Riva’s vintage models.
Forward of the polished mahogany deck, are the larger central windscreen that increases the amount of natural light entering the interiors, and a newly designed stainless steel casing that supports the marine horn, created for this limited edition signaling a yacht’s presence in a signature high-pitched sound. A recognizable and iconic feature of all Riva vintage runabouts.
Above: The mark of Riva is its pinstripe mahogony wood. Being being the helm of a Riva cuts a little differently. Image via: Riva/The Ferretti Group.
Jaunting In Style
Below deck, Riva Cento has been transformed into a light-filled open space designed to offer the ultimate in comfort both while cruising and during overnight anchorages.
A fully appointed galley, a full head sit below deck. The large sofa in the bow follows the hull's curve and can be converted into a double bed by using a panel from the central storage compartment. The forward skylight has been reinvigorated with extra side windows to amplify natural light, prevent a dark, stifling feeling, and provide a more comfortable experience.
Performance-wise, the sporty Centro is equipped with two Volvo Penta D6 440 Aquamatic Duoprop DPI engines. Riva Cento cranks up to an impressive top speed of 40 knots and a cruising speed of 31 knots. In fact, this yacht is not just suitable for the lakes; it’s also incredibly seaworthy.
Stability At Sea
Cruising stability is ensured by Volvo Penta software, which automatically adjusts the sterndrive to optimize trim while underway, reducing fuel consumption while offering faster acceleration, a higher top speed, and improved comfort. In addition, a Seakeeper NG6 gyroscopic stabilizer, fitted as standard equipment, ensures stability at anchor and contributes to overall cruising stability.
If you are a fan of Riva yachts, check out:
Riva El Iseo, the electric runabout.
Aboard a classic riva ocean cruiser in Halkidiki
