Details:
The Riviera 4000 Offshore launched in 1997 was the first indication that Riviera's design team was thinking well beyond flybridge design.
The arrival in 2001 of the M430 Sports Cruiser was significant confirmation. Modern Boating magazine commented on "offshore racing influences on the hull design".
Trade-A-Boat's reviewer said she "provides adrenalin-charged sportiness and true cruising comforts to boot".
Club Marine magazine's reviewer commented on the "light and airy" saloon.
She featured on the front cover of Trade-A-Boat magazine.
The M430 was the first of a line-up of three sports cruisers that Riviera would launch over a little more than 12 months.
Life on board centred around the deck that combined a starboard-side helm with twin companion seat, an L-shape lounge around a GRP rectangular dining table immediately aft and a second lounge across the transom. A wet bar was located on the port side opposite the dining lounge.
The entire deck could be hinged up on hydraulic struts to provide easy access to the engine room that housed twin stern drive Volvo Penta turbocharged diesel or Mercruiser petrol engines rated up to 425 hp.
Forward, the long, sleek foredeck included a sunpad that could be accessed either from side decks or through a door in the aft-raked windscreen.
Access to the lower accommodation deck was via a forward sliding door. This deck offered a well-equipped galley including a two-burner electric cooktop, a U-shape dinette around a timber table and two cabins and an enclosed bathroom with separate shower stall.
The master stateroom forward included a queen walk-around bed and side storage and full height clothes lockers. The second cabin, aft, was a surprise in its internal volume. It included both a double and single bed. Natural light came from portholes.
Riviera built 145 M430s over seven years including strong sales overseas, particularly in the United States where she was initially rebranded as a Wellcraft.
Specifications:
LOA - 14.53m
Beam - 3.76m
Draft - 0.99m
Dry weight - 8500 kg
Fuel capacity - 1230 liters
Water capacity - 390 liters
Sleeping capacity 5 persons
Engines - twin Volvo deisel D6 350 hp