Gold Coast boat builder, Riviera, to unleash new flagship vessel 585 SUV at prestigious US boat show

A Gold Coast boat builder is preparing to unleash its flagship new vessel on the world after a record $156 million to international buyers last year.

A Gold Coast boat builder is preparing to unleash its flagship new vessel on the world after recording an incredible year in international sales.

Riviera will unveil the $3.3 million 585 SUV to global audiences at the prestigious Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in Florida in October, with one of the 19.8m cruisers embarking on the cross-Pacific journey after joining a flotilla loaded onto a cargo ship in Brisbane last month.

Sandra Mexa gets a sneak peak of the Riviera 585 SUV before it heads off to the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. Picture: Nigel Hallett

The boat has already made its debut before local audiences on the Australian boat show circuit, but the international sector is proving a highly-lucrative market for Riviera, which notched up a record $156 million in sales to international buyers last year, up almost 10 per cent on the previous year and representing almost two thirds of the business’s $240m revenue for the year.

The vessel is designed for alfresco entertaining.

Riviera owner Rodney Longhurst said the international market had been key to the boatbuilder’s growth and success since the first yacht was exported to the U.S. in 1983.

“But to export $156 million in 12 months is a superb achievement for our team,” he said.

“We’re proud to be a Queensland company and we absolutely love flying the Australian flag overseas.

“This growth in our export yachts demonstrates the great international respect boat owners have for our yachts and today Riviera is recognised as being among the world’s leading motor yacht builders.”

It is 19.8m long and retails for about $3.3m.

The 585 is one of nine Riviera models being showcased at the Fort Lauderdale boat show and is the latest model in a prestigious line of more than 230 SUV motor yachts launched by Riviera since 2012.

Similar to SUV cars, an SUV in boating terms refers to a sports utility vessel and the 585 is the epitome of boating luxury with a covered alfresco deck, large galley and extensive saloon deck.

The accommodation deck boats a full beam master suite and separate guest staterooms, sleeping up to six people, plus a crew or laundry cabin and can be controlled by a simple joystick.

Mr Longhurst said it was encouraging to see how much demand was building for the upper end of the boating market.

It boasts many outdoor entertaining areas.