Riva 96 Argo Super Yacht Is Ready for Fast Fun

Riva inaugurated the Argo series in 2019 with the Riva Argo 90. It chose “Argo” to pay tribute to the mythological ship that carried Jason and the Argonauts on a voyage that no vessel was yet capable of undertaking. In the ancient Greek language, the word also meant “swift.” The newest Argo series launch from the Italian builder, the Riva 96 Argo Super yacht, continues the tradition. This fast flying-bridge megayacht further introduces new, practical lifestyle amenities and luxury touches to keep customers coming back.

Slightly longer than the Argo 90 at 94’5” (28.79 meters), the Riva Argo 96 Super yacht leans into the alfresco lifestyle. For instance, a sunning and lounging space abuts the garage door. Riva’s longtime design partner, Officina Italiana Design, added a sunpad, handrails, and cup holders as standard features here. It lets some guests stretch out while others hop on the Williams 435 tender and a PWC. Climbing aboard those toys, and slipping into the water to swim, are easier, too. Riva has incorporated a lifting and lowering swim platform. To keep the full party of eight to 10 people together, the aft deck has adjustable-backrest settees flanking a dining table. A handy refrigerator is nearby as well. The party can move up to the flying bridge for sunset cocktails, where guests will find a bar and mahogany-topped tables.

To fulfill the swift definition of argo, the Riva Argo 96 Super yacht promises a top speed of 26½ knots. Sea trials in the coming weeks should confirm this, as well as a cruising speed of 22½ knots. While Argo series customers might prioritize day tripping or weekending, they can still cover some decent distances. According to Riva, the superyacht should be capable of a 320-nautical-mile range at her cruising speed. Equally important, customers can anticipate more comfort while underway and at their destination. Riva includes Xenta’s X-AID (Adaptive Integrated Docking) system. It adapts in real time to currents and wind, serving as both a maneuvering helping hand and a virtual anchor system.

Friends and family looking forward to cruising together further have reason to appreciate interior changes. Firstly, the Riva Argo 96 Super yacht strives to make life afloat more practical with a day head inside the aft-deck doors. On the Argo 90, it was below decks, even though each guest stateroom had its own en suite head. Further practical, customers can enjoy dining by the aft-deck doors and situate the conversation area forward, or vice versa.

When it comes to staying a few nights onboard, once again practical and pretty choices come together below decks. The standard layout—which the first Riva Argo 96 Super yacht features—has just three guest staterooms, with a full-beam VIP. (The VIP is bigger thanks to relocating the day head.) Those who cruise with a crowd can add one more stateroom, however. Either way, owners have a main-deck master suite for waking up to the best views onboard. Plus, Officina Italiana Design has slightly changed the hallmark interior design throughout the decks. Instead of rich, glossy mahogany, a nod to the original wood Rivas, lacquered wengé wood and matte-finished pale oak set the backdrop. However, you’ll still find metal accents, like polished stainless steel.

Notably, all Rivas over the past three decades have resulted from the builder’s internal teams collaborating with Officina Italiana Design. Yet, none of the parties are taking the relationship with themselves, or with customers, for granted. Neither are they taking Riva’s nearly 200-year status for granted and simply launching a bigger boat. “History does not make a brand iconic,” notes Stassi Anastassov, Ferretti Group’s CEO. “The courage to reinvent it, generation after generation, does.”

The new 94-footer makes her public premiere at the Cannes Yachting Festival in September.

Officina Italiana Design italianadesign.it

Riva riva-yacht.com