Riva 66' Ribelle Expert Review

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Riva built the 66’ Ribelle with input from Piero Ferrari, and it shows. The hull design is sharp, the V-drive setup keeps weight centered, and the boat handles like something 10 feet shorter. The MAN V12s are proven, the build quality is what you expect from the Ferretti Group, and the sapphire-blue hull is one of the best color choices in the segment. This is a serious sport cruiser, not a floating condo with engines bolted on.

This boat is for the owner who already knows how to drive and wants something fast enough to make weekend runs to the Bahamas without turning it into a two-day event. It’s not for the buyer who wants to live aboard or cruise long distances. The 250-nautical-mile range and 188-gallon water capacity tell you this is a coastal boat. If you’re looking for a Nordhavn, keep looking. If you want a 66-footer that runs 37 knots and looks like a million dollars at the dock, this is it.

Resale on Riva yachts holds reasonably well in South Florida, especially if you keep service records and don’t over-option the boat. The MAN V12s are expensive to maintain, but they’re reliable and parts are available. Budget $150,000 to $200,000 annually for fuel, dockage, insurance, and maintenance if you’re running the boat hard. The market for sport cruisers in this size class is strong, and the Ribelle’s design will age better than most flybridge yachts built in the same era.”