Carlo Riva

It is not easy to summarise Riva history either in its dynastic sense or, in respect of Cantieri Riva the boat building business inspired and managed by the Riva family!

The story effectively starts in 1842 when the then twenty-year-old Pietro Riva received an offer which would establish Riva's place in marine history. At the time Pietro, with his father Laglio, worked as general craftsmen turning their hands to numerous trades including boat repairs on and around Lake Como in Northern Italy.

The offer the young Pietro received was to repair two storm damaged boats situated at Sarnico, on the banks of the Oglio River, a location now synonymous with the Riva name. On completion of this work, with a newly established reputation, he continued to take in repair business; establishing a boat yard at Sarnico where he was eventually commissioned to build his first 'new' boat - 'a fishing boat and pleasure craft in true Como fashion'.
Focussing initially on repair and construction for the commercial market, with only occasional forays in boats for leisure use, the business passed first to Pietro's son Ernesto and subsequently, following Ernesto's untimely death in a slipway accident in 1907, to his son Serafino.

Tragic though this may have been for the family, it might well be fair to say that it was this incident which set the scene for Riva's timely emergence into the then embryonic 'power boating' scene. We can only wonder, had his father lived, whether Serafino would have been allowed to pursue his competitive ambitions which ultimately led to the production of the company's first true 'speed boat'?

What followed, in the years between the first and second Word Wars, was that, as power boating became more popular and internal combustion engines became more powerful and reliable, Cantieri Riva achieved notable successes in competition. They also emerged as a supplier of 'elegant and luxurious power craft with excellent seaworthy qualities'.

Even though the inter-war years represent a turning point in the company’s history it was not until the 1950’s and early 60’s, as a result of the influence of the now legendary Carlo Riva (Serafino’s son), that the company’s products reached the pinnacle of their development. Inspired by Carlo’s passion and flair, Riva’s new ‘sports’ boats combined contemporary design, the power and reliability of American engines, classic wooden construction and exemplary finish. They captured the imagination of royalty, the wealthy and the famous like no other and rapidly acquired the image and esteem which they hold to this day.

Despite the sale of the company to the American Whittaker Corporation in 1969 and diversification first into glass-fibre construction and ultimately ocean going super-yachts, the 'classic' wooden Riva remains the benchmark for craftsmanship, finish, elegance and performance in contemporary sports power boating.

© 2003  Riva Revival (U.K.) Ltd and Colombo Boat Sales (UK) Ltd
Updated: 13/02/03       design www.davidsiddall.com