Smooth sailing for Queensland boat builder Riviera as rich listers haul anchor
A luxury Queensland boat builder has a solid order book for the next year as the coronavirus shutdown boosts interest from rich-listers in open air activities like sailing and cruising.
QLD Business
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LUXURY Queensland boat builder Riviera has a solid order book for the next year as the coronavirus shutdown boosts interest from rich-listers in open air activities like sailing and cruising.
Riviera chairman Rodney Longhurst said the Gold Coast company had already received seven orders for its new $3 million 64 Sports Motor Yacht which was built during the pandemic lock-down.
“We were moving into the unknown with the virus but it has now become a bit more settled,” said Mr Longhurst.
“There has been a renewed interest in boating and getting out into the fresh air. We have a full order book for the next year and are lucky that we have a product that involves small numbers of people in the open air.”
Over the past eight years, Riviera has gone from making 50 boats a year to 100. Half of the boats are exported to customers in the US, Europe, Asia and New Zealand.
“We have the capacity to make an additional 50 boats but that is not our focus,” said Mr Longhurst. “We want to be the best boat builder in the world not the biggest.
“With a team of 600 workers behind us, we are pushing through the economic downturn and exporting a high-end, high-quality, locally made product to the world.”
Mr Longhust said boats were getting bigger as customers demanded more modern conveniences and navigational aids. “With controlled steering and joy sticks these bigger boats are easier to control and manage even for couples,” he said.
The company’s new 64 Sports Motor Yacht, which took two years to develop, features three bathrooms, a first-class saloon and utility room with a washer and dryer.
He said that with the cancellation of major boat shows around the world, the company was relying more on social media and direct marketing. “We even have virtual tours of our boats,” he said.