Riva 66' Ribelle Review: The Italian Sport Cruiser That Runs Like It's Being Chased
The Riva 66' Ribelle pairs Italian sculpture-like design and a sapphire-blue hull with twin MAN V12s for a 37-knot rush—three staterooms, a …
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Expert Review, Technical Specifications & Market Analysis
The Essentials
| Feature | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Overall Length | 67' 10" (20.67 m) |
| Beam | 17' 4" (5.29 m) |
| Draft | 5' 11" (1.80 m) |
| Displacement | 87,083 lbs unladen (39,500 kg); 102,515 lbs laden (46,500 kg) |
| Engines | Twin MAN V12-1550, 1,550 hp each, V-drive |
| Fuel Capacity | 1,004 US gallons (3,800 L) |
| Water Capacity | 188 US gallons (710 L) |
| Cabins / Heads | 3 cabins + 1 crew cabin; 3 bathrooms + 1 crew bathroom; 12 people on board |
| Max Speed | 37 knots |
| Cruise Speed | 33 knots (250 nm range at cruising speed) |
Source: Spec & Photos courtesy of Riva. Specs verified by Tony Smith, USCG 100 Ton Master, on August 11, 2026.
Part of the Riva Sportfly series — see how owners step up through the lineup.
Quick Verdict
- Twin 1,550 hp MAN V12s deliver 37-knot top speed and 33-knot cruise, outpacing most flybridge yachts in the 65-70 foot class
- Nearly full-length hullside glass and disappearing cockpit door create a 40-foot entertainment zone from transom to helm
- Aggressive sheer line and low-profile flybridge give the Ribelle an express-cruiser silhouette that stands apart from traditional sportfly designs
Our Take
The Ribelle represents Riva's commitment to performance over packaging. The twin MAN V12s are proven powerplants, and the V-drive setup delivers better weight distribution than straight-shaft competitors. The hull geometry is conservative but effective. It's not trying to reinvent planing dynamics. The build quality is consistent with what you expect from the Ferretti Group. Fit and finish are excellent. The systems integration is clean. This is a well-engineered boat that prioritizes function over flash.
This boat is for experienced owners who understand the trade-offs. You're giving up interior volume for speed and handling. The cabins are adequate but not spacious. The salon is functional but not expansive. If you spend most of your time underway or on the flybridge, this works. If you want a floating apartment, it doesn't. The ideal buyer has owned multiple boats, values Italian design, and is comfortable with the operating costs of twin V12s. This is not a first-time purchase.
Resale will be driven by condition and maintenance records. The Riva name helps, but the market for high-performance sportflies in this size range is limited. Buyers are sophisticated and will scrutinize service history. Depreciation is steep in the first three years, then stabilizes. Maintenance costs are high but predictable if you stay on schedule. The MAN engines are reliable but expensive to service. Budget $50,000 to $75,000 annually for routine upkeep, plus fuel and dockage. This is a boat you own because you want it, not because it makes financial sense..
Official Riva Premiere: Inside the Riva 66' Ribelle
Video courtesy of Riva.
Riva 66' Ribelle Photo Gallery
Photos courtesy of Riva.
Riva 66' Ribelle Articles & Guides
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a Riva Sportfly and a Riva Flybridge?
Height, crew and priority. The Sportfly boats — the 66' Ribelle, 76' Perseo Super and 88' Folgore — carry an upper helm and seating on a deck cut low enough that the profile still reads as an express cruiser, and they carry one or two crew cabins. The Flybridge range starts at 83 feet, adds a full upper deck, and steps from two crew cabins up to four. Sportfly is built around speed with an upper deck; Flybridge around accommodation with speed as a secondary.
Is the Riva 66' Ribelle a good liveaboard?
No, and it is not built to be. Riva lists three cabins and three bathrooms plus a crew cabin, but the 710 litres of fresh water and 250 nautical miles of range at cruise define it as a coastal boat. It suits weekends and island hops where you are never more than a few hours from the next marina. If you want to spend weeks aboard, the Flybridge range starts at the 82' Diva and every model there carries dedicated crew accommodation.
How fast is the Riva 66' Ribelle?
37 knots flat out, 33 knots at cruise, and 250 nautical miles of range at that cruise. Riva offers one engine package — twin MAN V12-1550s at 1,550 hp each on V-drives — and publishes one set of figures for it, which makes the Ribelle the simplest boat in the Riva range to shop. Note that it is faster than the 76' Perseo Super on standard power, which surprises most buyers.