CRAFTSMANSHIP RAM
Right: The RAM yard stands at the rear of the basin, next to the separately-owned main Riva building Far right: A finished Aquarama prepares to leave the yard
Above: Three- bladed propeller Above right: Original fusion moulds are used to fabricate authentic parts
Similarly, a few big production tools such as the special high-pressure moulds for laminated hull side panels were not kept after the closure of the wood department at the Riva-Vickers plant in 1996. So now even more care, time and labour are needed to recreate entirely by hand major parts that were initially designed for easy series production. Thus, a total reconstruction can take up to 3,500 hours, twice the time it took to build the models back in the 1950s.
The accessories that contribute so much to the beauty of these boats have to be totally remanufactured. Fortunately most of the original moulds of the fittings have been religiously safeguarded, especially by the MarinaRiva Company, which provides beautiful chrome features and other items without which a typical Riva would not be a Riva. Sometimes it’s the minutest details that are hardest to get right – the speedometers and gauges that only a highly skilled Swiss watchmaker is able to repair, or the old electro-mechanical switches with delicate mechanisms that can no longer be found. People come from all over the world to benefit from the care offered by this unique clinic. There can, though, remain one dilemma when taking delivery of a restored boat. Confronted by the delicate balance between wood and chrome, paint, varnish and trimmings, how can a loving owner not be tempted to ignore the call of the sea and leave it there in its cradle to be admired as is, perfect and flawless with no risk of dirt or damage?
90 CLASSIC BOAT FEBRUARY 2012
Riva history
The Riva boatyard at Sarnico began more than a century ago as a small family workshop, but was founded in its modern version by Carlo Riva in 1953. He built more than 4,000 luxury wooden runabouts in the large facilities which he sold in 1971 to a USA-based group. The famous classic wooden Rivas may be divided into two categories: Single-engined models: Corsaro and Sebino 1950-1953 Florida-Super Florida 1953-1968 Ariston and Super Ariston 1953-1974 Junior 1966-1971 Olympic 1969-1983 Twin-engined models: Tritone, Super Tritone, Tritone Aperto, Tritone Speciale 1953-1963. The Tritone was replaced by the Aquarama, the Super Aquarama, then the Aquarama Special, 1962-1996. It is estimated than over one-third of the Riva wooden production is still in existence today. Today, the Riva brand belongs to the Italian yachting group Ferretti and the company produces a range of contemporary Riva yachts including some models directly inspired by the classic mahogany Rivas of the 1950s and 1960s.
RAM Sarnico, Tel: +39 035 910326
www.riva-ram.com
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