Riva Boats

A contemporary legend

Riva's story began in 1842 on Lake Iseo, when the young shipwright Pietro Riva repaired many of the fishing boats destroyed by a sudden and devastating storm, earning the respect of the local community. He decided to open his boatyard in Sarnico, and his first boats had such class and personality that they were an immediate success. The Riva name quickly grew in fame, thanks in part to the entrepreneurial skills of Ernesto Riva, who took over the business from his father Pietro and installed the first internal combustion engines on the boats built by the yard.

Riva today

In May 2000, Riva was acquired by Ferretti Group, which has led the shipyard to the pinnacle of the international yachting scene and made it an emblem of Italian boatbuilding. The beauty and innovation of the brand's products draw on the expertise of the Group's Engineering Department and on designer Mauro Micheli, co-founder with Sergio Beretta of Officina Italiana Design, the firm that designs Riva's entire fleet. With over 180 years of history, the range extends from the 8-metre El-Iseo to the 70Metri superyacht.

The details that make the difference

In keeping with tradition, the wooden parts are still varnished meticulously by hand in 24 steps, using the method developed by Carlo Riva, to make the wood as glossy as possible and resistant to fresh and sea water. The screws are still all positioned in the same direction, with the head painted to match the hull.

The shipyards

The Sarnico shipyard is where the legend was born and where the smaller Rivas, from 27 to 68 feet, are built; at its heart is 'La Plancia', the office designed by Carlo Riva. The La Spezia shipyard, Ferretti Group's technical, logistical and commercial hub on the Ligurian and Tyrrhenian Sea, was refurbished in 2024 and focuses on seven Riva models from 76 to 130 feet. The Ancona shipyard, home of the Superyachts Division, occupies 76,945 square metres and is one of Europe's largest yachting production hubs, where a design team works in close collaboration with Mauro Micheli and Officina Italiana Design. A cultural and cult phenomenon that has featured in films throughout the history of cinema, Riva stands for a modern, sophisticated elegance that is beautifully 'Made in Italy' and loved all over the world.