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Riva 63 Virtus - Was it good? Any owner reviews out there?

Discussion in 'Riva Yacht' started by CapChristian, Feb 11, 2020.

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  1. CapChristian

    CapChristian New Member

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    One of my favourite Rivas is the 63 Virtus. The combination of a day crusier and ability to host quite a few people and guests (not to mention a tender) is pretty unbeatable in my mind. Not to mention it is really beautiful.

    When googling the Riva there aren't that many hits. Some articles and reviews when it was released and some ads online for used 63 Virtuses, but nothing more.
    Riva has ceased to make the model so one wonders if it was popular?
    If not, what was wrong with it?

    And are there any owners/previous owners that can give a verdict on how the boat is?
  2. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    We own a Vertigo. It's basically a Virtus with a top, so a coupe vs. an open. We love it. Great performance as WOT is just over 40 knots and cruise around 35 knots. Ironically, we own two Riva's and both have now been discontinued. Ours were both purchased in 2012 so not terribly surprising. I think the 66' Ribelle, a sportfly (flybridge more for sunning than riding) fits a demand, even if it's a bit slower.

    Riva is pretty much shuffling their entire lineup. Every model above 40' is rather new, within the last several years. So, I don't think any of it reflects on specific models. It could reflect fewer total sales than desired or simply a feeling they must constantly refresh. Remember when the life of auto models was 3 years or so, then they were changed significantly?

    The Virtus is a great riding and performing boat based on our experience with the Vertigo.

    Riva is building more flybridge models and pushing sizes up. I find much of that though as moving away from their heritage and what we bought Riva's for. We wanted to cruise at 30 knots plus with traditional shafts and a good ride. We got that. I think they are losing that appeal with some of their new models. Perhaps though with fuel prices in Europe, that market is shrinking.
  3. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Riva's biggest problem and especially with flybridge boats in the United States and Central America market is the draft. It's always 1' deeper than other comparable boats.
  4. CapChristian

    CapChristian New Member

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    Thanks for the great response. Glad to hear you are happy with your Vertigo!

    In your experience, how does it handle with yourself at the helm? Is a Captain necessary or can one handle it by your own?
    Perhaps outfitted with Raymarines new DockSense system, it should be easy?
  5. CapChristian

    CapChristian New Member

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    Speaking of draft; why are height above waterline almost never mentioned when searching for specs on boats of this size? Not all of us live out by the open sea, bridges are a thing that need to be passed from time to time. :)
  6. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    I agree. A few builders publish it but most do not. I think because most yachts are not sold with pre-installed electronics from the manufacturer and that can change the height, I really do not know. What's even worse is I run 100 different yachts a year, and nowhere is the actual yachts height published on the dashboard or anywhere of that yacht.
  7. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    Most builders can easily supply drawings which show the air draft but don't publish that information routinely. One additional problem is those who publish it without electronics when they have two large domes on top of the hardtop or the arch. Not only does it need to be listed, but needs to indicate what is included in the calculation.
  8. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    It is easily handled by two. I would not want to single hand it. The Virtus, being open, would be a little easier but then I don't endorse single handing any boat that size. You ask if a captain is necessary, but my wife and I are both captains. I'd say just experienced operators.

    Initially, it's a bit like parking the old Pontiac Firebirds with the low seats and very long hoods and figuring out where the front really is, but you soon get use to it. Similarly, if you're use to slower, less responsive boats, you must adjust to it's responsiveness. You learn to use it's power rather than allow it to work against you.

    Every boat has it's own characteristics.
  9. CapChristian

    CapChristian New Member

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    Good points.
  10. CapChristian

    CapChristian New Member

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    Thank you. Very helpful information. There are a few Virtus'es for sale. I will look into them. I'll let y'all know if I end up buying one!
  11. CapChristian

    CapChristian New Member

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    Oh, by the way, I forgot to ask; the tender garage at the back; how large is it? More specifically, would you recon one could fit a Sea Doo PWC into it? Or is the engine room surrounding it large enough to fit a expanded garage?

    I guess one could have a PWC on the bathing platform but it would be much better having it in a tender garage.
  12. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    It holds an Avon 330 Seasport or a Williams 325, both jet tenders. That is what it is designed to accommodate.
  13. cleanslate

    cleanslate Senior Member

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    Well Capt J if you ever get the pleasure to run my boat, lol, I put the clearance measurement on my dash; Ants up-24'; Ants-Dwn 18'. the calculation being the antennas are my highest point , with them down it's the radar and anchor light ; at 18' I need anything above that to make it through.
    19' was my personal lowest actual pass through.

    I suppose you carry , or could, a good old 25' tape measure to through over the side from the bridge to the water and same for the topside stuff measure from the bridge up to your highest electronic antenna or whatever to get a better idea of your clearance.

    It really should be a major part of the spec sheet ; like '' factory clearance height -- ft.; additional electronics etc. not included'' or something to that affect.
  14. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    The problem is, should carry this/this/this. If I carried everything I should carry, I'd have a 60lb sack of tools and parts......LOLOL, usually I eyeball it at the first bridge that looks like a no go and can guestimate fairly well from there.
  15. mapism

    mapism Senior Member

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    I wish my tools and parts were as light as that!
    Sometimes I wonder how faster the boat could go, should I jettison all that stuff overboard... :)
    Liam likes this.
  16. cleanslate

    cleanslate Senior Member

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    Oh yeah...bump it forward, coast, stick you head out from under the boat's bridge top look, bump it again...coast up, look, be ready like hell to throw them both in reverse..LOL. I might have done that before from my 42' boat down to my CC Dory. :D
  17. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    I run a lot of different yachts. Most of them have a good assortment of tools and spare parts, if not I usually bring my own. But, in my Captains bag that I take from boat to boat, I can only carry so much crap.
    NeilF8888 likes this.
  18. Parabolica

    Parabolica New Member

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    Hey guys, can I resurrect this thread please as I am considering buying a 63' Vertigo currently ?

    Questions I have are:
    - Is the build quality still good on a 2008 boat now some 10+ years on ?
    - Has the paintwork of the hull and superstructure stood to test of time or did it need a costly refresh and if so after how long ?
    - Has the deck teak stood up well or needed replacing before now ?
    - Have all the systems remained in good order and are they easy enough to access and maintain ?
    - Is the build quality behind the scenes good ?
    - Have the internal finishes stood up to life on the water better than say Princess or Sunseeker of the same age (sagging liners etc) ?
    - Have the engines been good and at what hours are your now ?
    - Can a jet-ski be mounted on the bathing platform ?
    - Any other advice would greatly received.

    Much appreciated
  19. NeilF8888

    NeilF8888 New Member

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    I bought a 2018 Riva 63 Virtus in Southampton UK, had it trucked to Marseille and cruised South of France, Corsica, Sardinia, the Coast of Italia, Sicily, the Adriatic, Corfu thru the Isthmus of Corinth to Athens then back to Genoa Italy for it to be shipped to Miami.

    I did a full service on the Man’s, transmissions and Generator in Southampton and updated all the instrumentation to new Garmin Chartplotters and Autopilot. I literally had on three minor problems during the 3 month almost 4000 mile trip. I needed to change a fuel filter on the generator because it would stall occasionally, change the electronic float on the grey water tank and replace a bushing on an anchor chain roller. It’s a fantastic yacht!
  20. Parabolica

    Parabolica New Member

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    That sounds like the perfect boating life, well done !

    And thanks for your comments re the Riva. I rely like these boats but wavered due to the hours vs its age on the one i was Considering (yours is much newer than i was looking at), however, i’ve now purchased a Sunseeker Predator 60’ which I will be keeping in Majorca once the transaction completes.
    There are factors which the Riva has in spades above the Pred but similarly, the Pred wins the day for me in other areas. The Pred being younger and the brand so well supported in Majorca, was the two deciding factors.

    Neil, I hope you are still enjoying your Virtus !