Woody Boater Secret Spy In Atlantis. Donovan Is that You?

Reporting in from the Marina at Atlantis, on Paradise Island, New Providence. Our Secret Spy Reporter may have uncovered the origin of the famous Mecum 800,000 Riva sold last year.. Look at the image up top more closely.. Middle deck. That’s right. It’s a Riva.. NOW.. We had heard that the boat had sold as a yacht tender.. I suppose in the world of mega yachts a $800,000 Riva is nice deck bling.. Now we did some further investigating and came across more info. Is this boat ?  1972 Riva Aquarama Special hull #534 or the Mecum 1966 Riva Aquarama #125 that sold last year? We found this info on the original 1972 from Riva World. Link here. and then this story on Fellow Woody boater Casudi’s site. OK not so fast, here is the official web site for the yacht charter of blue Moon.. And it lists the boat as #534 Click Here.

Are you back now from the sites? Really? You are back reading this dribble and not lost in a sea of cool mega yachts.. We missed you in Tourist class here.. It is cool stuff! So here is the question, is it #125 with a changed interior, or the original #534, or do they own both and our secret spy captured #534 on the deck? Which is our best guess. Either way, its fun Saturday conversation.

 
[youtube width=”440″ height=”344″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBH8CKKZfK4&feature=youtu.be[/youtube]

29 replies
  1. Jim Staib
    Jim Staib says:

    I like the idea they have it protected from the weather. Not like some of the old Chris-Craft photos with the runabout up on the top deck.

  2. Don Ayers
    Don Ayers says:

    Lesson one, very easy to tell the difference between a “Special” and earlier AQ. It’s the transom. Specials protrude out and have a small step and the Original AQ have a barrel transom with forward rake.

    See thumb nail pic of the Riva Forum ad on the right side of WB.

  3. Don Ayers
    Don Ayers says:

    Riva models are usually defined by a “series” of development. You will hear knowledgeable people refer to a “Series II AQ” or a Series III Ariston”. This has to do with the continued development and refinement of that model through the years of production. Most generally due to bottom design and ride. Newer models had more deadrise at great angles at entry yielding a softer ride. For example a series III Ariston bottom was designed to not allow the boat to “slap” no matter how big the wave or angle of attack.

    These later boats are often the most sought after for the incredible design and ride. I’ll post a video link of a late Ariston going through a large wake to show you.

  4. Rick
    Rick says:

    It’s this whole “Use your woodyboat” movement. For them a $800,000 Riva is just a nice user boat.

  5. Randy Rush-Captain Grumpy
    Randy Rush-Captain Grumpy says:

    Oh crap! My secret is out. I didnt want anyone seeing my yacht let alone my Riva stash. You really didnt think that Captain Grumpy was a mild mannered Real Estate Broker from NH did you?

  6. Don Ayers
    Don Ayers says:

    OK, I cut a small clip of the Ariston and zoomed in a bit. Image is not the greatest quality, sorry.

    PS. Matt, Texx perhaps you can embed the youtube video for me.

    • Aaron K
      Aaron K says:

      That Riva has been on that boat since the yacht was built at Feadship in Holland. I can’t tell you anything else other than the reference to the Mecum boat that was mentioned is incorrect. The Riva is launched via an overhead hydraulic crane system designed and built by a Florida based company.

  7. Jacob
    Jacob says:

    I was one of the lotto winners last weekend and am now on permanent spring break. ‘Norm’ our 17′ Sportsman is on the other side. We plan to head back to Holland, MI for the summer – feel free to stop by, beers are on me!

    • Texx
      Texx says:

      Jacob – Hopefully we will see you in late June when we do our Algonac / Holland / Cadillac / Hessel – Michigan trip…

  8. Alex
    Alex says:

    Always fascinated by boats which measure their LOA in meters. By that, I mean in double digit meters, multiplied by a single digit larger than, say, 6.

    Take a look at the Feadship shown above. Particularly, the bridge. http://www.charterworld.com/index.html?sub=yacht-charter&charter=myblue-moon-3387

    Can anyone of us fathom how amazing and opulent these yachts are, and what it would be like to own one? I sure can’t.

    Heck, I can’t even get past the cost of operating one. “Turn those engines off, Captain. Idling’s expensive!”

    I’d probably name mine the same as Buffett’s jet (Warren, not Jimmy): “The Indefensible.”

    • m-fine
      m-fine says:

      I don’t get the appeal. For that kind of money I would much rather have a nice jet that gets me where I want to go 50+ times faster, and that can also go anywhere, not just to a coastal destination.

      There are plenty of opulent hotels and rental properties to stay in once you arrice, no need to live on the boat.

  9. Alex
    Alex says:

    I think people with that kind of money don’t have to choose. The 0.0000000000000000000000001%. 🙂

  10. Alex
    Alex says:

    Hmmmm. I was hoping it would turn into real boobies when I typed that emoticon. Oh well… 🙂

    Rapidly running out of things to keep me sane until the first boat is commissioned.

  11. WoodyGal
    WoodyGal says:

    OK I feel better, there may actually be a real connection to Alex’ visions and and an actual boating event! Hang in there Alex! Soon the boobies, oops, boats can be commissioned!

  12. Chris / Hagerty
    Chris / Hagerty says:

    Yes, that Riva has been on Blue Moon for some time, first saw in Chicago, then Ft Lauderdale Boat show several years ago. It has not been updated. Blue Moon typically Summers on the Great Lakes. It is a bit tricky to get on and off…..who does the touch up…..Alan??

  13. Scott Ales
    Scott Ales says:

    Riva World restored the boat on Blue Moon well before starting #125 for us. Sandro actually sent pictures of the restoration to show us what he was capable of. It obviously impressed me enough to give him the job! Also, the Special sold last year at Mecum for $975k is in storage here in Mount Dora still. It sits next to the Vega wagon that originally was owned by former ACBS Pres. Ann Matheson! Actually her very first car.

  14. make money fast
    make money fast says:

    Simply want to say your article is as astounding. The clearness in your post is just great and
    i can assume you’re an expert on this subject.
    Fine with your permission allow me to grab your RSS feed to keep updated with
    forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please keep up the
    enjoyable work.

Comments are closed.