Riva Sophia is a beautiful Riva Junior build No 549. She was chosen to feature in the Robbie Williams video to support his chart topping single Millennium in 1998, and can be seen here
| Name | Riva Sophia |
| Built by | Riva, Sarnico, Italy |
| Date | 1970 |
| Build No | 549 | LOA | 5.60m (18'4") |
| Beam | 2.17m (7'1") |
| Draft | 0.6m (2'0") |
| Power | Single 260hp V8 1991 |
| Price | £29,500 |
Constructed of mahogany with double diagonal topsides and ply bottom finished with varnished decks, white topsides, pale blue/white boot top and pale blue underwater.
I purchased her from a loving owner on the Thames in October 1989 and have restored her to her full usable glory.
The inside of the hull was been completely stripped, prepared and painted with Danboline paint. The exterior has been completely refurbished.
The underwater exterior was stripped back to bare, filled and made good, then sheathed with two layers of woven glassfibre cloth and epoxy resin using the WEST system. This was then faired and finished with two pack International polyurethane paint in pale blue to form an immensely strong and completely impervious bottom. The top sides were sanded, filled, primed and painted with International undercoat and Toplac gloss white paint. The decks were stripped and given 15 coats of Epifanes clear high gloss varnish.
The engine box top and aft deck were replaced with “TekDek” planking, a man made teak look-a-like material which has a pleasing teak deck appearance with no maintenance requirement.
All chrome was been removed and re-plated to marine specification with stripped metal being polished, and then nickel and finally chrome plated.
The original engine was dismantled and found to be very sad following the incorrect installation of automotive cylinder head gaskets. These had rusted and water had entered the bores and heads causing sufficient deterioration to regard the engine as no longer viable. A brand new 350 cubic inch, 5.7 litre V8 engine short block was purchased and an expert, fully trained marine engineer took the new engine to pieces and rebuilt it. New brass core plugs, stainless steel gaskets and fully marinised starter motor were installed with fully electronic ignition, new carburettor and circulating pump.
The special Riva designed inlet manifold, suitably machined to accommodate the new carburettor, exhaust manifolds and extra deep sump were all refitted. The flywheel received a new ring gear and the hydraulic gearbox was fully reconditioned with new seals, valves and faces, and its rotation was reversed for the new engine.
Stern gear was stripped and both rudder and propeller shafts found to be completely free of wear.
The propeller was replaced with a special black bronze casting with slightly cupped blades to suit the very high torque and reduce the cavitation on rapid acceleration. A new mechanical fuel pump, fuel lines and fuel filter were fitted.
A new automated fire extinguisher system was fitted to the engine area and to the fuel tank area in 2006. These are FP80 Aerosol Generators from Marine Fire Safety Ltd. An automatic bilge pump has been fitted with a manual override.
The boat was completely rewired in 2006, all wiring is in good order and contained in conduit. Original boat instrumentation was cleaned and repaired as necessary and includes tachometer, temperature gauge, ammeter, and switches for instrument lights, navigation lights, engine ignition and push button for horn and starting, There is ignition switch controlled engine bay ventilation.
The forward bench seat was rebuilt. That and all the rear cushioning was re-upholstered in mid blue Alcantara with white piping.
The road trailer is a two axle, four wheel braked SBS Trailer built for the boat in 1990. It is hot dip galvanised and has a spare wheel and winch attached. It has travelled less than three thousand miles. Serial number 12895844, capacity 2000kg. The boat is supported on four large wooden pads, each pad rolling on eight rollers to enable good positioning of the boat and well spread loads on the hull. Each pad is carpet covered to totally protect and support the boat. The trailer has full electrics and removable tail light assembly, docking bars and the brake mechanisms were replaced in 2006.
The engine cooling system has connections to enable simple and easy fresh water flushing of the engine after use on the sea and for running the engine when not in the water so allowing proper engine servicing away from the water’s edge.
A two piece zipped overall cover keeps her clean and dry when she is not in her normal storage. This is a clean dry space exclusively for the Riva with battery charging and air drying to ensure she is maintained in very good condition.
A VHF radio with concealed aerial has been fitted. 4 fenders, 4 mooring lines, anchor and rope and two paddles are included. She is SSR registered and fully insured for use at any time, any where.
All the preparation, work and now the storage is designed to ensure the boat can be used at any time as she is a joy of a toy and is always the recipient of much admiration.
Other statistics
Height above ground when on trailer 6’ 6”
Beam of trailer 7’ 0”
Estimated weight of boat 1400kgs
Estimated weight of trailer 500kgs
Top speed In excess of 35kn
Known imperfections Alternator is not generating power
Curved windscreen perspex has a flat spot
Rudder gland needs repacking
If you are interested in purchasing Riva Sophia, please fill in the enquiry form below, or give me a ring
Owner's Details
