2014 Riviera 53 Enclosed Flybridge

All Riviera vessels today are designed using state-of-the-art three-dimensional Computer Aided Design (CAD) systems. These virtually allow you to 'walk through' a vessel that, as yet, only exists as pixels on a screen or ideas in your grey matter.

Despite such power, the creation of a Riviera does not take place in some ivory design tower.

Two very important sets of information are fed into the process.

One is engineering parameters; in this case, the propulsion systems and the specifications of various high-technology construction materials.

The second set of information is no less important but, in a way, even more complex and elusive.

For this new 53, it amounted to an exhaustive two-year consultation with Riviera owners right across the globe.

We were keen to learn even more regarding how owners really use their boats; where they use them; how often; every niggle, satisfaction and desire, to help enhance their experience.

These are not feel-good focus groups; all feedback was actually fed back into the design process.

Or, you could say, the enjoyment process.