![]() The hull had been designed for ocean running-after Riva had been chided by a longtime friend for building “lake boats.” And the side throttles were also modeled on a car to make it more intuitive for new owners who were not necessarily boaters. The oversized steering wheel felt perfect for a boat that would’ve been compared to a Cadillac or Lincoln in its day. The hand-built wooden hulls were built on a production line like cars for quality control and timely delivery.Īt the dock, Gala had a stately presence, with pinstripes on the light-colored mahogany foredeck, a beautiful reddish-tinted hull, gleaming chrome, and a wraparound automotive-style windshield which was radical for the day. Riva had decided early on to model the Aquarama after the finest luxury cars with throaty American marine engines ( Gala had twin 320 hp Rivas, which were modified Crusaders). Unlike most boats, the helm is on the left side. Owned by Ferretti Group CEO Alberto Galassi, Gala was a stunning wooden boat, with ivory-colored upholstery, a Calax-style steering wheel inspired by a 1958 Chrysler 300, and side throttles. The boat was meticulously crafted from wood. Riva/Assouline One of the highlights of the project was spending a day at the helm of Gala, an Aquarama Super (the second model in the series), which was hull number 425 built in 1970 on Lake Iseo, near Riva’s historic Sarnico factory. Before researching the book, I’d assumed the Aquarama was a typical Italian boat, long on style, short on engineering and performance. I had the opportunity to write a book that will be published later this summer about the Aquarama’s history for the centenary of Carlo Riva’s birthday and the 60th anniversary of the first Aquarama, Lipicar-named after Riva’s three daughters, Lia, Pia and Carla. The Aquarama has been named the “Best Runabout Ever” by multiple boating magazines. When you put those elements together, it creates a mystique and desire between the owner and the object.” “I know it’s an inanimate object, but if you have a passion and love for beautiful machines, as I do,” says Bruce Paddock, who owns the Aquarama Special Mistral II, “then you’ll identify with the design, performance and quality of the work. The Riva Aquarama was an instant hit when it arrived in 1962. Riva/Assouline A harbor of gleaming mahogany Rivas added to the allure. The principality was fast becoming the upscale, James-Bondish gathering point of celebrities and royalty that seals its reputation today. But eventually it became synonymous with Monaco. The Aquarama-which took its name from the cinematic technique panorama-quickly found a home along the French and Italian Rivieras. The boat’s beautiful mahogany exterior, sexy curves, and American engines made it an unbeatable proposition for the rich and famous at a time when the world was searching for new, modern status symbols after World War II. But most owners were high-net-worth individuals who were willing to buy an Aquarama for about the same price as a Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud, Italy’s most expensive car in the mid-’60s. Three years later, no other boat enjoyed the Aquarama’s elevated brand status the owners included movie stars like Sophia Loren and Rex Harrison and a small group of royals, which added to the mystique in the public’s eye. Carlo Riva’s creation, celebrating the 60th anniversary of its launch in August, was an instant hit when it arrived in 1962. Then there are a handful that stand the test of time. Others have such classic looks that can be reinvented from generation to generation. There are boats that look cool for a year.
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