Riva has unveiled the 76’ Bahamas Super, six years after the original model with the spirit of both an open and a coupe joined the shipyard’s Open range. The 23m model is another Riva project by Officina Italiana Design – the firm founded by Mauro Micheli and Sergio Beretta — in collaboration with Ferretti Group’s Strategic Product Committee led by Piero Ferrari and its Engineering Department.
The yacht has a top speed of 32 knots and a cruising speed of 28 with a pair of 1,550mhp MAN V12 V-drive engines, while the 1,800mhp options raise those figures to 37 and 32 knots respectively. The aerodynamic profile of the Shark Grey hull with contrasting Bright Black accents now features more glazing, while there are many new features in terms of digital innovation, functionality and storage.
The Bahamas’ star feature is still the now-legendary C-Top, the aerodynamic carbon top with a patented system that converts the yacht from an open into a coupe and vice-versa in less than a minute.
Lifted by two polished carbon arms, it rises from the deckhouse to a position over the lounge and locks onto the windscreen and carbon roll bar, revealing foredeck seating. The owner can also choose to add the optional side covers to fully protect the cockpit area in bad weather.
The huge aft cockpit remains the heart of the yacht, with guests able to relax on the large sunpad overlooking the beach area or the aft-facing sofa and neighbouring chaise longue.
The restyling upgrades this area with advanced technology and home automation solutions. The sunpad’s armrests have two built-in panels that offer simple, quick control of the lighting, stereo system and door for the aft garage, which can contain a 3.25m Williams tender and water toys.
Forward, the lounge dominates the central part of the deck and is protected by the double-curved laminated glass windscreen with a polished stainless steel frame.
On the starboard side, the dining area is furnished with an L-shaped sofa and a teak table with stainless steel trim that comfortably seats eight guests. Behind this space are various storage compartments that contain the audio equipment and more.
On the port side, the long bar area contains a fridge, an icemaker and a sink, plus an optional grill or TV screen.
The helm is another focus of the upgrade’s new technology. The captain can manage the entire yacht using three 16-inch or 19-inch touchscreens, while the steering system has been converted from hydraulic to a Xenta electro-hydraulic steer-by-wire system with independent control of the rudders. An Aventics joystick featuring docking mode functionality is an option.
The yacht is fitted with automatic Humphree dynamic trim interceptors, simplifying use and optimising fuel consumption, while a Seakeeper NG18 can be installed to offer greater stability at anchor and when cruising.
The pilot and co-pilot chairs, specially designed for all Riva models by Officina Italiana Design, are housed in a fibreglass cradle and supported by a stainless steel ‘bridge’ for a lighter overall look. They’re joined by a third chair on the opposite side of the sliding hatch that leads below deck.
The skilful restyling continues below deck, where decoration draws attention to the yacht’s bold character: the rift-cut white veneer embellished with obsidian varnish is pointed up by black leather trim with white stitching. Stainless steel completes the 76’ Bahamas Super’s style palette.
The stairs lead directly to the saloon, which sits on the port side and features an L-shaped sofa and a coffee table, while there’s a guest cabin to starboard, forward of the corner galley.
In the galley, a pull-out wall shelf has been added to increase the available work surface. The galley door is no longer recessed but now hinged, which increases the storage space in the adjacent guest cabin, making it possible to add a sliding drawer.
Midships, the full-beam master suite is furnished with a forward-facing double bed and a cabinet unit on the starboard side, complemented by the en-suite bathroom, which has a new layout. The master lobby has a convenient storage area containing the washer-dryer, while a big locker on the opposite side increases the storage space on board.
The VIP suite in the bow also has an en-suite bathroom, while the layout of the guest-cabin bathroom features a shower separated by a glass partition to improve liveability. Corian — or marble on request — is used for both tops and floors in the galley and bathrooms.
This article first appeared on Yacht Style.
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