The all-new Riva 122’ Mythos motor yacht SOL (Sun in English) was revealed at a media launch, which was held in the lovely Monaco yacht holiday destination on 21 June, 2014. Superyacht SOL is the first yacht by Riva completely built in light aluminium alloy, as well as the largest and fastest yacht ever produced by the historical Italian brand, an icon of the world yachting industry.
Riva 122' Mythos superyacht SOL
Luxury yacht Sol, successor to the Riva 86’ luxury yacht Domino, marks a new beginning for the iconic, 172-year-old brand fabled for its gleaming mahogany wood Aquarama runabouts.
Ferretti Group’s new Chief Executive Officer, Alberto Galassi, who traces his Riva roots back to 1974, likes to compare Riva with other illustrious Italian luxury brands such as Ferrari and Maserati. In keeping with his strategy for the Ferreti Group at a press conference Galassi hinted at expanding its current collaboration with Ferrari.
The Riva 122’ Mythos yacht Sol represents a number of “firsts” for Riva. Not only is it Riva’s first Riva aluminium yacht but also its largest. It also renews collaboration with Ferretti Group’s CRN (which started 40-years-ago), which used light alloy only for the first time to build a yacht at its Ancona, Italy shipyard.
Luxury yacht SOL - Main saloon
Two MTU 3L V 4000 M 93s L 3510 MPH engines power this first €14 million, fully customized Mythos super yacht Sol. The black lower hulled yacht hit 28.5 knots at 60 percent load (cruising speed 25 knots, range 1100 nautical miles at 11 knots) in slightly choppy seas off Monaco in a short sea trial for media.
Imperceptible vibration meant not a drop of French champagne in a crystal glass would have been spilled by its private Brazilian owner and whose personality is writ large on the highly customized yacht.
Mauro Micheli, whose Officiana Italian Design designed the Mythos, claims he can conceptualise a new Riva in 10 minutes. If so, those 10 minutes were well spent on the Mythos. The Mythos (a Riva 124’ Mythos version is already being worked on) aluminium hull is lighter than the normal fiberglass but allows more flexibility (e.g. larger windows). The yacht performed up to expectations in rough water sea trials.
Mythos 122' Yacht SOL - Master stateroom
The “bright black” lower hull, complimented by a regal silver and new, light grey hue (the aluminium/steel combination conform to safety regulations), give Mythos a slightly menacing, yet elegant, look. Micheli’s explanation for Mythos is to quote the most quotable of all, Irish poet and writer, Oscar Wilde: “Take everything off, apart from the superfluous things, and life gives you a lot of pluses.”
What are those pluses? The Brazilian owner has opted for three cabins (standard four but can stretch to five) to afford maximum privacy for his family (glamorous wife and child) and seven guests, as Mythos yacht SOL cruises the Mediterranean and Adriatic yacht charter locations this summer. A large mid ships master bedroom is subtle and elegant in white, brown and black Egyptian cotton and silk fabrics. A unique adjoining “Turkish” bath spa/sauna makes this the centerpiece of the yacht.
But only just. The lower deck features a spectacularly large, even for a yacht of this size, pristine white, designer galley for the owner to implement his passion for cooking, which can be access from the crew quarters. The main deck is the full beam mid stateroom. Tiny lights illuminate an eight seat, glass tabled dinette area. Colours are muted greys. The lacquered panels, white and dark leathers and white floors in oak and Canaletto walnut finishing give the interior an elegance to match the svelte like exterior profile.
Aft on this open decked coupe, a two garage platform can accommodate a 5 metre long Williams RIB tender and Sea Doo jet ski. There are two double bed guest cabins with one bed being convertible into an additional Pullman. Forward crew quarters are for five crew in three cabins.
Micheli says that the Riva 122’ Mythos SOL yacht is “a step in the right direction” for the brand. AYT&D-Advanced Yacht Technology & Design and CRN’s Technical and Interior Design Department co-operated on the naval project and interiors. Says Micheli: “I am no Michelangelo, but what we are doing, we are doing well.”
The Riva 122’ Mythos motor yacht SOL will be officially presented to the public at the 2014 Cannes International Boat Show in September. In Asia, Phuket-based Lee Marine are the official agents for Riva.
