Riviera 5600 Platinum Edition: A Delight from Down Under
By Arnie Hammerman
I have long admired Australian-built boats. I visited the Riviera factory on several occasions and spent time cruising the countryโs waters, and the pattern holds: Australiaโs rugged coastline demands boats built tough, and because Australians tend to use their boats much the way Americans do, the layouts feel immediately familiar and highly functional.
So for this Riviera 5600 Sport Yacht review, I skipped the boat show demo ride. I ran the new Platinum Edition where Riviera intended it to run โ up a wilderness river outside Sydney, where it hit 31 knots and held four degrees of heel through a figure eight.
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Why Australian-Built Cruisers Travel So Well
I first spotted the new Riviera 5600 Sport Yacht at this yearโs Miami International Boat Show on Collins Avenue and reconnected with some of my Australian friends. Among them was Stephen Milne, Rivieraโs director of brand and communications, who gave me a personal tour of the boat. I came away thoroughly impressed.
The 5600 sits a long way from the flybridge fishing boats the company first brought to Florida in the 1980s. You could certainly cast a line from it, but at its heart it is a luxury cruiser, with multiple gathering spaces designed for relaxing and entertaining and accommodations spacious enough for several couples or families to spend days โ or even weeks โ aboard.
As I admired the craftsmanship, thoughtful layout, and quality of the finishes, Stephen and I came up with a plan: I would experience the 5600 the way it was meant to be run, in Australian waters. I already had a trip to New Zealand on the calendar, so I added a stop in Australia.
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Up Cowan Creek and Into the Bush
A few weeks later, I found myself riding with my good friend Helena, who lives in Sydney, on the 45-minute drive to a place called Bobbin Head. The Riviera waited for us at Empire Marina in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, a vast, forested wilderness about 20 miles from the sea that Australians simply call โthe bush.โ
Our Australian hosts met us at the dock, and before long we made our way up Cowan Creek. The marina disappeared around the first bend, leaving only our wake gently lapping against the rocky shoreline. Eucalyptus-covered hills framed the waterway as far as the eye could see. We spotted no kangaroos or koalas, but I kept imagining them just beyond the trees.
The river wound endlessly through the bush, and the scene carried a faint Apocalypse Now atmosphere โ minus the tension โ as we sliced through the calm water. Instead of a patrol boat full of sweaty soldiers, we were three guys and a Dutch-Australian friend enjoying the air-conditioned comfort of a beautifully equipped yacht built for adventure without sacrificing luxury.
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How Fast Is the Riviera 5600 Sport Yacht?
When the creek widened and another channel joined in, I finally had room to put the 5600 through its paces.
I carved tight turns at 24.5 knots, the twin Volvo Penta IPS 950s humming effortlessly at 2,200 rpm while shedding less than two knots through loops just two to three boat lengths across. The handling proved impeccable. I measured only four degrees of heel as the yacht leaned confidently into each turn, crossed its own wake, and transitioned seamlessly into the opposite arc to trace a perfect figure eight.
From a complete stop, I buried the throttles. The 5600 climbed quickly onto plane and continued accelerating to a top speed of 31 knots. At a brisk cruising speed of 27.8 knots and 2,400 rpm, it consumed 68.8 gallons per hour โ roughly 11.4 hours of running time and a range of 317 nautical miles while maintaining a 10 percent fuel reserve.
A Helm That Keeps Everyone in the Conversation
This is a substantial, well-appointed yacht that handles like a much smaller, sportier boat, and it is genuinely fun to drive. The adjustable helm seat and matching companion seat put the wheel, throttles, controls, multifunction displays, and instruments easily within reach. Visibility through the two-panel windshield is excellent, and the corner mullions stay slim enough that they rarely interrupt sightlines.
The helm sits slightly elevated, as does the L-shaped lounge opposite, creating a layout where everyone gets a comfortable seat with a clear view underway and stays close enough to the helmsperson to join the conversation. Opening side windows and a large overhead sunroof flood the space with natural light and fresh air whenever the weather cooperates.
Eventually I handed the wheel to Simon from R Marine Sydney โ reluctantly โ and set off to explore the rest of the boat.
Single-Level Living, Inside and Out
Riviera appoints the 5600 with plush fabrics, stylish stone countertops, and beautifully finished cabinetry, yet it never feels ostentatious. Whether that reflects Australian hospitality or something uniquely Riviera, the salon invites you to linger โ playing cards, talking, or settling in to watch the big game on the flat-screen TV.
Rivieraโs single-level living concept centers on a fully equipped galley between the salon and the aft mezzanine, which serves guests inside and out equally well. Two stools at the forward edge make an inviting spot for morning coffee or an evening cocktail while keeping the cook company. To starboard, a powered pop-up window opens the galley directly onto the outdoor entertaining area, linking the interior to the aft lounge and alfresco dining table. Opposite, a portside counter incorporates an electric grill whose lid doubles as serving space.
Buyers choose either a short or long hardtop over the cockpit. Both include an opening sunroof, and the longer version can carry an electrically operated shade that extends aft of the cockpit settee.
The raised mezzanine cockpit serves as the hub of the outdoor living spaces, and generous side decks with sturdy handrails make the walk forward to the bow lounge easy. There, a table, adjustable sun pad backrests, and integrated drink holders create an inviting spot to enjoy a secluded anchorage, with an optional pole-supported awning for shade. At the business end of the bow sit dedicated storage for lines and fenders, a windlass with remote controls, fresh- and saltwater washdowns, and a 99-pound stainless-steel Ultra anchor with its ground tackle.
Three Cabins and a Remarkably Quiet Owner's Suite
A companionway leads to the accommodations deck below. The full-beam ownerโs stateroom offers 6 feet, 5 inches of headroom, a king-size island berth, generous drawer storage, multiple hanging lockers, and a private ensuite head with a separate shower. Large hullside windows flood the cabin with natural light, while opening portlights provide welcome fresh air at anchor.
Underway, I measured just 75 dB in the ownerโs stateroom โ about the same noise level as a household vacuum cleaner. The cabin sits adjacent to the engine room, which makes that figure an impressive testament to Rivieraโs sound insulation.
The foyer includes a washer and dryer along with a convenient counter for folding laundry and storing linens. Forward, the VIP stateroom features a queen-size island berth and ensuite access to the shared day head. A third guest cabin offers twin berths that convert into a double, making the layout equally well suited for three couples cruising together or families traveling with children.
The high-gloss walnut joinery immediately caught my eye. Riviera also offers matte finishes and alternative timbers โ oak, cherry, and teak โ plus a wide selection of fabrics, colors, and textures. During my factory visit, I watched Rivieraโs robotic sanding and varnishing systems send cabinetry panels through multiple cycles to build perfectly even coats. High-gloss finishes still require hand-applied varnish to reach their mirror-like depth, although the company continues to refine the process toward greater automation.
Docking, the Swim Platform, and the Transom Garage
As we wound back down the river, civilization gradually returned and the marina came into view around the bend. Before entering, we activated Volvo Pentaโs Dynamic Positioning System, which held the yacht effortlessly in place while we rigged fenders and dock lines. From there, we shifted control to the portside cockpit wing station joystick โ a feature I came to appreciate when backing into a slip, since it provides excellent visibility and a practical alternative to the main starboard helm.
Back at the dock, I took one last walk around the boat. Twin transom gates lead to a large submersible swim platform that automatically deploys integrated stainless-steel steps with teak treads as it lowers, providing safe and easy access to the water. Lowering the platform also reveals the transom garage, which accommodates a 3.3-meter (10-foot, 10-inch) tender. The platform itself doubles as a tender lift, allowing owners to carry a larger RIB, a second tender, or even a personal watercraft โ a versatile arrangement that keeps the cockpit uncluttered and stows the tender securely for offshore passages.
Is the Riviera 5600 Sport Yacht Worth the Trip?
The trip Down Under was well worth it for the chance to run the new Riviera 5600 Sport Yacht Platinum Edition, and I only wished Iโd had more time aboard. Buyers who want a memorable handover can take delivery at the Riviera Yacht Club adjacent to the factory, where company personnel walk through every onboard system before you cast off to explore Australiaโs cruising grounds. When the adventure ends, Riviera ships the yacht directly to your home port.
The Riviera 5600 Sport Yacht is a capable pod-driven cruiser that blends confident performance with genuine luxury. Equally at home entertaining a crowd or slipping away to explore remote anchorages, it delivers both comfort and capability in equal measure. If youโre looking for a stylish, well-built yacht with true bluewater credentials, this latest offering from Down Under deserves a close look.
Specifications
LOA | 61โฒ2โณ | Cruise/Top Speed | 27/32 knots (31/36.8 mph) |
Beam | 16โฒ9โณ | Range @ Cruise | 300โ400 nm |
Draft | 5โฒ1โณ | Fuel/Water | 872/211 gal. |
Weight | 56,571 lb. | Contact | info@riviera.com.au |
Power | Volvo Penta D11 IPS 950 x2 | ย | ย |
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