The Riva 96' Argo Super is a new take on the 90' Argo, one of the most popular flybridge yachts in the range. The first hull was launched at Riva's La Spezia yard, where its 70- to 130-foot models are built, and made her world premiere at the Cannes Yachting Festival. Design is by Officina Italiana Design, which has drawn every Riva for more than thirty years, working with Ferretti Group's Strategic Product Committee and Engineering Department.
On a yacht of 28.79 m (94 ft 5 in), the changes fall under four headings: the stern and beach area, the main-deck layout, the cabins and the equipment. Outside, an Aluminium hull is set off by Bright Black details.
Stern and beach area
The stern has been redrawn. A generous sunpad with grab rail and cup holders is now built into the garage door, which opens to reveal a Williams 435 tender and a jet ski. Next to it, a swim platform that raises and lowers makes getting into the water easier and safer.
The cockpit gains extra storage, a built-in fridge and adjustable backrests for the two large sofas running lengthways either side of the table. The flybridge has a new bar unit and mahogany-topped tables.
Main deck
One of the most significant changes is a day head on the main deck. Moving it up from the lower deck frees the saloon plan and creates room below for the guest cabins.
The saloon comes in two layouts. On the first boat, dining is aft and the lounge forward, so that cockpit and saloon work as a single living area. The interior pairs gloss wengé with pale matt oak, finished with mirrored surfaces and polished steel details.
Cabins
The master suite is forward on the main deck and spans the full beam. Its windows are larger and the furniture has been rearranged so that the sea is in view even from the bed.
The standard lower deck has three guest cabins. The full-beam VIP aft uses the space released by moving the day head, and Riva says it now approaches a second master suite in size and comfort. The optional layout has three VIP cabins plus a twin. The crew quarters have two cabins and two bathrooms.
Equipment and performance
The first hull has twin 2,000 hp MTU 12V 2000 M96X engines, giving a top speed of 26.5 knots and a cruising speed of 22.5 knots. The optional 2,222 hp MTU 12V 2000 M96Z units raise those figures to 28 and 24 knots. All performance figures are the builder's preliminary data.
Equipment includes Seakeeper NG18 and NG10 gyro stabilisers, the Watchit collision-avoidance system, Xenta's X-AID manoeuvring aid with virtual anchor, and a stern thruster, all chosen to make berthing and anchoring easier and the ride more comfortable.
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Length overall | 28.79 m (94 ft 5 in) |
| Hull length | 23.98 m (78 ft 8 in) |
| Beam | 6.5 m (21 ft 4 in) |
| Draught | 2.1 m (6 ft 11 in) |
| Displacement | 86 t light, 99 t full load |
| Engines | 2 × MTU 12V 2000 M96X (2,000 hp) or 2 × MTU 12V 2000 M96Z (2,222 hp) |
| Maximum speed | 26.5 knots (M96X), 28 knots (M96Z) |
| Cruising speed | 22.5 knots (M96X), 24 knots (M96Z) |
| Range at cruising speed | 320 nm (M96X), 300 nm (M96Z) |
| Cabins | Master on the main deck; 3 guest cabins below (4 in the optional layout) |
| Crew | 2 cabins, 2 bathrooms |
| Fuel | 8,700 litres |
| Water | 1,320 litres |
| Design | Officina Italiana Design · Ferretti Group Strategic Product Committee and Engineering Department |
Who is she for?
The 96' Argo Super suits buyers who want flybridge living with real pace, just under 30 metres. Cruising at 22–24 knots makes short work of hopping between bays, but range at those speeds is 300–320 nautical miles, so longer passages call for planning speed and fuel stops in advance. For anyone comparing her with the 90' Argo, the key differences are the main-deck day head, the larger VIP it allows below and the redesigned beach area.
In brief
- Derived from the 90' Argo, the 96' Argo Super made her world premiere at the Cannes Yachting Festival.
- The stern has a sunpad on the garage door and a swim platform that raises and lowers.
- Moving the day head to the main deck has made room for a full-beam VIP below.
- Two MTU options give 26.5 or 28 knots; the first hull has gyro stabilisers and a virtual anchor system.
