Used Riva Aquarama: versions, restoration and questions to ask before a viewing

Three steps before arranging a viewing

1. Ask which boat is being offered. Ask for the full model name, stated year and build number, along with images of any available identifiers. Record separately what the listing says and what appears in the documents received.
2. Reconstruct the work history. Gather photos taken before the work, invoices and descriptions from the shipyard. For each job, note the date, parts involved and who carried it out: the word “restored” on its own leaves too many questions unanswered.
3. Prepare to consult a professional. Send the material to a specialist before the viewing. Agree with the specialist and the seller on what checks to request on the hull and mechanical systems, and whether to arrange a sea trial.

The useful outcome of this first stage is an easy-to-follow file: stated details, documented evidence and points to clarify. There is no need to fill gaps with assumptions. If information is unavailable, write “to be verified” and turn it into a specific question.

Aquarama, Super and Special: why distinguish between versions

Riva’s official history dates the Aquarama’s launch to 1962 and the end of wooden runabout production to 1996, with the final Aquarama Special, number 784. The number of the last hull should not be used as a count of the boats produced.

In its account of the Aquarama series, Bellini Nautica describes the transition from the Aquarama to the Super, with a longer hull aft, and the subsequent evolution into the Special, with a cut-out in the transom to make it easier to climb back aboard from the swim ladder. It also documents the Aquarama Lungo designation.

These references can help you interpret a description. They are not a way to authenticate a boat remotely. Before comparing two listings, ask for the version name to be linked to documents and identifiers for that specific boat: a visible feature may suggest a question, but it cannot answer it.

Also avoid confusing the Aquarama with the Aquariva. The manufacturer places the first Aquariva in the period after Ferretti Group acquired the yard in 2000: it is a different model, not an alternative spelling of Aquarama.

What does “restored” mean in that listing?

Ask for a list of the work, not just a date. You can organise it into three sections: hull and deck; engines and systems; finishes and accessories. For each, collect whatever the seller can document, without inferring the scope of the work from the boat’s glossy appearance.

• Hull and deck: which parts were retained, repaired or replaced? Are there photos taken during the work and a description from the shipyard?
• Engines and systems: which units are currently installed? Which jobs are documented, and by whom? Does the information cover both engines?
• Finishes and accessories: which items are described as original, restored or reproduced? What evidence supports that description?

These questions help prepare for a professional assessment; they are not a technical procedure for carrying out checks yourself. Do not automatically take “complete restoration” to mean “all original”, or treat an invoice as certification of the entire boat.

Riva Classiche lists restoration, maintenance, valuations and appraisals among its services. These are distinct activities: for a specific commission, clarify its scope and the documentation required. The existence of these services does not attest that a boat in an advertisement has been inspected by the division.

A message to send to the seller

Hello, before arranging a viewing, I’d like to understand the Aquarama’s history better. Could you tell me the version, stated year, build number and details of the engines currently installed? I’d also like to see photos and documents relating to the work, distinguishing between parts retained, replaced and reproduced. Where is the boat currently located, and what checks with a specialist can be arranged?

If you receive general answers, take one point at a time. For example, “engines overhauled” can become: “Is a document available describing the work, with the date and identification of the units involved?” There is no need to challenge the description: the aim is to make it comparable with the available material.

Frequently asked questions

Are photos enough to identify the version?

They can help you ask questions about details and configuration. To confirm that the specific boat matches the claimed version, you need to link them to identifiers, documentation and professional checks.

Does an unusual year in the listing prove that the boat is not authentic?

No. A discrepancy needs to be clarified with the seller: ask what the date refers to and which document supports it. Do not correct it based on an assumption or use it alone to reach a judgement about the boat.

Does an award at a gathering count as an appraisal for a purchase?

When assessing a boat for sale, ask what document exists, which boat it refers to and what it attests to. An event report alone does not answer questions about the current condition of the boat you are considering.