The Aquariva Special: Riva's 33-Foot Answer to the Dayboat Question
The Aquariva Special pairs Riva's Aquarama lineage and real mahogany with modern reliability: a 33-ft dayboat with twin 370-hp Yanmars, 40.5…
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Expert Review, Technical Specifications & Market Analysis
The Essentials
| Feature | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Overall Length | 33' 0" (10.07 m) |
| Beam | 9' 2" (2.80 m) |
| Draft | 3' 2" (0.96 m) |
| Displacement | 11,464 lbs unladen (5,200 kg); 14,771 lbs laden (6,700 kg) |
| Engines | Twin Yanmar 8LV-370, 370 hp each |
| Fuel Capacity | 127 US gallons (480 L) |
| Water Capacity | 34 US gallons (130 L) |
| Cabins / Heads | 1 cabin; 8 people on board |
| Max Speed | 40.5 knots |
| Cruise Speed | 36 knots (155 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 Open series — see how owners step up through the lineup.
Quick Verdict
- Twin Yanmar 8LV diesels deliver 40.5 knots top speed and 36 knots cruise with electronic shift, shaft drive and the redundancy of two engines
- Cockpit layout prioritizes usable space over cabin volume, with seating for eight and a swim platform integrated into the hull rather than bolted on as an afterthought
- Riva's Aquarama lineage in a mahogany-and-GRP build — the classic proportions without the maintenance anxiety of an all-varnished-wood hull
Our Take
The Aquariva Special represents everything Riva does well and nothing they don't. The build quality is exceptional. The mahogany work is museum-grade. The Yanmar powerplants are the right choice for reliability and performance. At 40 knots, it's fast enough to be fun without being excessive. The 155-mile range at cruise speed is practical for South Florida and Bahamas day trips. The hull design prioritizes comfort over outright speed, which is the correct decision for a 33-foot day boat. This is a well-engineered boat from a builder that understands its market.
This boat is for the experienced owner who values heritage and is willing to pay for it. It's not for the first-time buyer. It's not for someone looking for overnight capability. It's not for the owner who wants to ignore maintenance. The single cabin limits extended use. The mahogany demands attention. The price point eliminates casual buyers. If you want a 33-foot day boat with maximum functionality and minimum fuss, there are better options. If you want a Riva, this is the one to buy.
Resale on well-maintained Aquariva models is strong. Five-year-old examples in excellent condition retain 60 to 70 percent of original value, which is exceptional for this segment. The key word is well-maintained. Deferred maintenance on mahogany construction is expensive to correct and immediately visible to informed buyers. Annual operating costs for an owner-operator run $15,000 to $20,000, assuming normal use. The Riva name carries weight in the resale market, but condition determines actual value. Buy the best example you can afford and maintain it properly. The market rewards diligence..
Official Riva Premiere: Inside the Riva Aquariva Special
Video courtesy of Riva.
Riva Aquariva Special Photo Gallery
Photos courtesy of Riva.
Riva Aquariva Special Articles & Guides
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Aquariva Special related to the Riva Aquarama?
Directly, by Riva's own account. The Aquariva Special is the first model to carry the "Special" designation since the Aquarama itself, and Riva describes it as a restyling of the Aquariva with the sleek, elegant lines that made the original a style icon. The construction is modern — fibreglass rather than mahogany hull — but the proportions and the intent are quoted deliberately. Riva also runs a separate Riva Classiche programme for the historic boats.
Can you sleep on a Riva Aquariva Special?
Riva's technical block lists one cabin, and the boat carries eight people aboard with 34 gallons of fresh water. That water capacity tells you the intended use more plainly than anything else: this is a day boat with somewhere to lie down, not a weekender. Worth knowing that Riva's own layout selector for the model labels the single available configuration "No cabin", which contradicts its technical block. Ask your dealer which arrangement a specific hull was built to.
How fast is the Riva Aquariva Special?
40.5 knots flat out and 36 knots at cruise, with 155 nautical miles of range at that cruise. Those are Riva's own published figures. There is one engine package — twin Yanmar 8LV-370 diesels at 370 hp each — so unlike most of the Riva range there is no option to weigh up and only one set of numbers to check. It is the fastest boat Riva builds.