While the world's largest megayachts tend to steal the spotlight on social media, bigger isn't always better once they're off the screen. It's their sheer size that often limits where they can dock, making it harder to pull into smaller marinas and explore coastal towns, beaches, and restaurants on a whim, something smaller, more practical superyachts do with ease. The team at Riva Yacht has embraced this throughout its marine fleet, ranging from the 27-foot Iseo series to the 130-foot Bellisima, all engineered and built with a perfect balance of luxury and performance. Not jumping into megayacht territory, but standing out as the current record holder, the Riva 54Metri is the largest Riva ever built.
At 177 feet, managing weight became a key priority for Riva, especially as the brand continues to preserve its performance-focused identity, where speed remains a defining characteristic. To achieve a lightweight construction built for speed, the Italian shipyard engineered all 54.83 meters of 54Metri in an all-aluminum design, keeping gross tonnage under 500 GT, almost 40% lighter than a traditional steel-and-composite vessel of its size. Add in a finish combining Moon Grey, London Grey, and Bright Black to its sharp lines, and it looks like one of the most sophisticated and contemporary yachts on the water.
The 54Metri's layout is designed to make the most of life on the water, with six expansive decks that each serve a purpose. A beach club at the stern creates an easy connection to the sea, while the spacious aft decks are set up for everything from long lunches outdoors to evening cocktails at anchor. Up top, the sundeck offers panoramic views with plenty of room for lounging, dining, and soaking up the sun, making it just as enjoyable underway as it is tied up at the harbor.
Inside, Riva tapped into its Italian styling and craftsmanship. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the salon with natural light, creating an open space complemented by warm woods, polished metals, and carefully selected stone finishes. The yacht comfortably accommodates up to 12 guests across six staterooms, including a full-beam owner's suite that resembles the suite of a 5-star hotel. Crew accommodations are generous, allowing up to nine crew members to deliver the level of service expected aboard a yacht like this.
Performance is where the 54Metri separates itself from most yachts in the same class. Powered by twin MTU 16V 2000 M96L engines producing 2,634 horsepower each, the all-aluminum yahct reaches a top speed of around 18 knots while maintaining a comfortable cruising speed of 15 knots. Rather than simply chasing bigger dimensions, the 54Metri proves that thoughtful engineering, elegant design, and real-world usability can make an even stronger statement on the water.
Source: Riva Yacht