Company Profile
Founded in 1842, in Sarnico, Riva is one of the world's oldest and most renowned shipyards. The original founder, Pietro Riva, a young fisherman and boat builder carried out repairs to storm-damaged boats which no one else could do; he built boats of exceptional quality and craftsmanship and thereby earned a reputation which laid the foundations for generations to follow.
In the 1880's Ernesto Riva, one of Pietro's sons, took over the Riva yard. While maintaining the tradition of impeccable quality and craftsmanship, Ernesto added another dimension to the Riva product: that of innovation. He began by fitting piston engines to his boats for the first time, and built larger boats to carry passengers and cargo. Serafino succeeded his father and he had the great idea of constructing a boat with an exterior engine, in other words an outboard engine boat. In 1912 Serafino was able to achieve a speed of 24 Km per hour in his boat. The development of the Riva shipyard in between the first and second world wars was marked by a series of successes in national and international motor boating competitions. Alongside racing, the production of pleasure boats was developed and, from the outset, they became immensely popular not only for their quality but also for luxury and elegance.
In the 1950's Carlo Riva took over the yard and created a range of wooden boats with such exceptional quality, style and elegance that the Riva brand became a worldwide legend. In this period Carlo Riva went to the United States, where he arranged for the importation of American engines for the first time. From then on, he had no serious rivals and Riva triumphed at boat shows around the world.
In 1969 Riva took another innovative leap and commenced fibreglass construction. Applying the same measure of classic elegance, top craftsmanship and absolute quality, Riva broadened its range of boats. One has only to glance at a Riva, new or old, to see that it stands in a class of its own. The history, legend and myth of Riva continue today.
Product Range
Visit our Main stand
