A RAPTURE OF RIVIERAS SUPPORT
In a show of support for ETNZ, a flotilla of 90 Riviera motor yachts with more than 600 Riviera family members and guests made for a spectacular sight as they steamed to the race track during the recent America’s Cup.
The armada – one of the largest ever assembled in the 41year history of Australia’s largest luxury motor yacht builder – was organised by New Zealand representative R Marine Flagship.
Featuring vessels between 34 and 72 feet in length, the two-bytwo configuration stretched more than 2km in length. Dean Horgan – dealer principal of R Marine Flagship – said it was a wonderful opportunity for Riviera owners to share such a great event with their friends.
“We had an overwhelming response to this special outing – the largest gathering of Rivieras since our record-breaking raft-up in February last year.” That raft-up marked the start of celebrations in 2020 for Riviera’s 40 years of evolution with a record flotilla of 106 Riviera luxury motor yachts joined together at Awaawaroa Bay, Waiheke Island, to create a circle measuring 234m in diameter.
Riviera has a very strong following in New Zealand with more than 600 motor yachts now cruising local waters since the arrival of the first Riviera in 1984.
FOILING PEACOQ’
The Peacoq’ – says its French designer Patrick Billot – is a foiling dinghy created for recreational sailors rather than the world’s yacht racing elite.
Billot’s fascination germinated after watching the America’s Cup cats in action, and he felt the ‘fun’ should be extended to all sailors – “to allow every sailing fan to get into exciting foiling sensations and feelings.”
His new company – Foily – produces two double-handed models: the sailing school Peacoq’ 14, and a more high-end version fully-equipped with Harken gear.
Both models, he says, have three distinct characteristics – easy sailing, stability and sensation.
Built at France’s Sisco Composites (using a vacuum process) the Peacoq’ weighs in at 130kg, can be beach-launched with a standard dolly, with all appendages tucked safely away until needed.
