Riviera 70 - Santa Makes Wishes Come True

by Riveria Marine Media on 16 Dec 2009 Christmas has come early this year for two loyal Riviera owners, taking possession of their brand new 70 Enclosed Flybridges, both customised to the hilt and representing more than AUD $12 million in sales for Riviera.

The first, Australia's best equipped luxury game fishing cruiser, 'Born to Battle' now belongs to an elated Peter Teakle, who set out to create the ideal home away from home. 'In actual fact, this will be our new home,' he says referring to his equally zealous fisher companion and partner, Nina.

'We spent two years waiting for her and one year planning every detail from a clean slate. We've made sure we have two of everything for back-up given the places we intend to cruise – two desalination units, two generator sets, two fresh water pumps, two bait tank pumps and two air-conditioning cooling pumps.'

In his 50,000 nautical miles over 20 years and six Riviera's, Peter has learned what details make a great game fishing boat, combined with those features that top it off as a thoroughly exquisite cruising boat.

The 'energetically retired' Peter Teakle plans to cruise The Whitsundays, exploring the 74 islands in the group and seriously competing in the annual Lizard Island Game Fishing Tournament in which he was instrumental in changing the format to a tag-and-release competition.

So enthused is Peter Teakle with his latest addition to his fleet, his new 70 is painted in Peter's trademark colour scheme of black hull with black and gold detailing to the superstructure, that he has barely had the keys two days before taking off to his home port of Hamilton Island where the locals are holding their breath in anticipation of her arrival.

They will not be disappointed. ‘Born to Battle' is decked out with over $1million in extras, from the upgraded MTU engines boasting nearly 4,000hp, and an ice chipper that blasts out 12kg of ice per hour, to $500,000 in Furuno electronics, controlled by a mouse in the Skipper's helm chair. There are even water-sensing devices that operate the windscreen wipers, inspired by the same technology in Peter's 7-series BMW.

The engine room is something to behold, equipping this is Peter's fourth boat with MTUs, 'effectively Mercedes Benz' he says of the German engineering, in this case two 1, 920hp engines. The massive exhausts he sourced from Italy. All up, the engineering of ‘Born to Battle' is the most advanced in Australia and is truly world standard.

Also installed, for comfortable cruising and extra stability during offshore tournaments is a gyro stabiliser system, which virtually eliminates low speed boat roll, at anchor and underway. 'The best thing about it, besides stabilising the boat, is that nobody will get seasick.'

Peter and Nina have designed the internal layout to suit the dual purpose of ‘Born to Battle'. The floor plan features the galley aft, flowing out to mezzanine seating and cockpit, plus a detachable boarding platform that can be removed for serious, competitive game fishing.

The lounge area is forward of the galley and consists of two generous size tables on either side of the boat, both featuring wrap-around seating crafted in the softest beige leather. There's also a matching leather bench seat capable of seating up to five adults adjacent to the impeccably equipped galley, but to call it a ‘breakfast bar' is like calling Born to Battle a barge.

Sleeping eight in four cabins, the boat was specifically designed for two couples and three full-time crew. There is a palatial full beam master suite, a guest double stateroom with ensuite and the third cabin has been converted into a 'bells and whistles' office housing Peter's gadgets, computers and storage for every manual this technically advanced boat boasts. At the bow are two spacious crew cabins and a fourth bathroom.

No detail has been overlooked, from the teak woodwork throughout, Amtico floors ('I hate carpet in boats!' exclaims Peter), and a neutral palette that owes a lot to Nina's Swedish origins.

Peter Teakle's 70 was officially handed over this week by R Marine Queensland, located at the company's manufacturing facility at Coomera on Queensland's Gold Coast.

But prior to its presentation, ‘Born to Battle' was put through its paces by Steve McPherson from R Marine, who went as far as spending several nights onboard out on the Gold Coast Broadwater to put ‘Born to Battle' and all of her machinery and equipment through a series of thorough tests.

As Peter explains: 'I have dealt with Steve for the past eight years. In the case of Born to Battle, Steve took care of everything to do with management of the build. He made sure that before handover, all the appliances worked with no hint of a rattle or buzz. In one instance, Steve wasn't happy with the size of the tool box in the engine room, so he replaced it with a bigger one. That attention to detail sets Riviera apart from every other boat brand.'

The other Riviera 70 that is enjoying its finishing touches in preparation for delivery, is bound for New Zealand and due to be handed over by Bruce McGill and his team from R Marine in Auckland before Christmas.

The owner, his crew and Bruce McGill intend to cruise the boat to her home port in Auckland earlier in the New Year. Their delivery trip will take them, 438nm from the Gold Coast to the pristine, rugged and supremely beautiful island of Lord Howe Island for some serious exploring. At Lord Howe they will then take on fuel for the 800nm passage to New Zealand.

The Riviera 70 boasts a cruise speed of 30 knots and top speed of 35 knots and a range of 1,000 nm. So far, Riviera has built and launched five of its new flagship 70s, more like custom builds than production boats and nearly qualifying for superyacht status.

Riviera offers 20 different models from 36 to 85 feet across four model series Flybridge, Sport Yacht, Offshore Express and Motor Yachts.

For more information, please go to www.riviera.com.au