Riva

Riva’s history dates back to 1842, when Pietro Riva began building boats at Sarnico on the shores of Lago d’Iseo. By the 1930s, the business was managed by Pietro’s grandson, Serafino, and was a leading manufacturer of small racing boats, many of which he raced himself.  At the same time, it began building pleasure boats. In the 1950s Serafino’s son Carlo transformed the business.  After a considerable struggle with his father to realise his ambitions, he created wooden boats of such exceptional style and elegance that they surpassed anything his competitors produced.Through a great deal of hard work, and some very clever marketing, the Riva brand became a worldwide legend. Famous owners included Brigitte Bardot, Sophia Loren, Ferrucio Lamborghini, Prince Rainier, and Peter Sellers. Carlo Riva evolved the hull design not by using high technology, but simply leaning over the bow and watching how the water parted. Riva got into trouble in the early 70s owing both to the growth of fiberglass-hull production and the increased militancy of the Italian labor force, and it was sold to Whittaker. A succession of owners have then since owned Riva, including Vickers. Today the firm is owned by Ferretti. Sub panels dedicated to specific Riva boats: Ferrucio Lamborghini’s Aquarama powered by two V-12 engines, Prince Rainier’s beautiful “‘62 Tritone "Via”, a boat with two Cadillac V8s, and a barn-find boat with Vickers engime.