Farewell to the 1965 Riva Ariston

Close up of the wording Ariston on the side of a Riva boat

Yesterday marked the bittersweet departure of an extraordinary vessel from our brokerage—the iconic Riva Ariston.

Riva boats are something of a rarity, let alone one as flawless as this. Undeniably the finest condition Ariston available in the world, boat enthusiast or not, it would be impossible to ignore the jaw-dropping beauty of this immaculate Riva.


Crafted in Italy in 1965, the boat embarked on a unique journey, spending a significant part of its life in Japan, before falling into disrepair.

Its renaissance came in 2016 when Klaus Schleusener of the Riva Historical Society meticulously restored it in Germany, renewing its exquisite hand finish.

Subsequently acquired by M/Y Ulysses through Superyacht Tenders and Toys in 2017, the Ariston graced the vessel’s onboard Riva themed bar, captivating all as a breathtaking piece of art. 


In 2020, SYTT became the sole broker. We brought it back to the UK, housing and servicing it in our dedicated on-site storage, scrupulously conserving every element of its pristine identity.

A true gem and a rare and immaculate piece of history, this one-of-a-kind boat awaited its rightful owner. Our team has cherished its presence for three years, but now, as it embarks on new adventures, we bid it the fondest of farewells. 


Photos by Tom Stapley for Superyacht Tenders and Toys

A Riva boat on a cradle on concrete outside a warehouse
Rear view of a Riva boat in a boat yard
A view of the drivers dashboard in a Riva Ariston parked outside a shed
Riva Ariston 05
Side view of a Riva boat on a cradle waiting to be loaded into a lorry
People pushing a wooden Riva boat towards a container on a lorry
Two people moving a boat hoist away from a boat parked on a cradle
People wrapping a wooden Riva boat in protective carpet
People shrink wrapping the protective layer around a wooden boat
Two people loading a small boat into a container on a lorry
A Riva boat being loaded into the rear of a container on a truck
A man on the left overseeing the movement of a boat loaded on a cradle being positioned into a lorry
A wooden boat being loaded into a truck by forklift.
A Riva being loaded into a truck using a boat hoist and forklift.
A woman flicking through an album containing photos of Riva boats
View of boat lifting gear positioned at the rear of a truck with an aeroplane passing overhead at a high altitude.
A lorry driver closing the rear door of a container loaded with a wooden Riva Ariston under a protective white cover.