Premium yacht-builder Riviera unveiled details of its new motor yacht Belize 66, to a global audience this summer at the Sydney International Boat Show. The vessel is powered by the new D13-IPS1350 – the highest performance propulsion system yet by Volvo Penta, for the leisure market, and will have its world premiere in 2018.
The Belize 66 is the new flagship vessel in the Belize range by Australian yacht-builder, Riviera. The Belize marque is Riviera’s heritage line that offers traditional styling combined with ultra modern technology, to provide excellent performance and an elegant onboard experience. The Belize 66 builds on previous successes of using Volvo Penta IPS in more than 500 Riviera yachts and is powered by the new and highest performance propulsion system – the D13-IPS1350.
“The 66 is the new crown jewel in the Belize line,” says Wes Moxey, co-founder of Belize and chief executive officer of Riviera. “We’ve created a yacht that is bigger and more powerful than the previous 54 model and has all the refined touches that we are known for. Our customers want high quality and comfort, and through our craftsmanship and attention to detail, we can offer them the absolute ultimate experience on the water.”
Intelligent design
As Australia’s leading motor yacht designer and builder, Riviera creates several model ranges. The company, based on the Gold Coast in Queensland, has a long-standing relationship with Volvo Penta and has installed more than 1000 IPS drives into its award-winning yachts, including the Belize 54 and Riviera 4800 Sports Yacht.
“We selected the D13-IPS1350 to power the Belize 66 as we’ve had great success with all the capabilities that Volvo Penta IPS offers in previous yachts, and we knew we’d want to utilize the higher power output of this new IPS model for our latest yacht,” says Moxey.
“There is no doubt that there are many exciting advantages of the IPS, with more internal space on the yacht, better fuel economy, and the fact that it’s a fully integrated driveline from the helm station, electronics, controls, engines, and propellers. The technology makes boating easier, especially for large yachts, as it reduces any fear of docking with the joystick control.
“The close partnership we enjoy with Volvo Penta allows us to better align our new product development plans along with theirs, for the global release of our yachts. Volvo Penta’s focus – and ours – is to make boating easier through new technology, connectivity, and integration. I believe we are one of the only manufacturers to offer a 5-year warranty as standard on all our yachts, and Volvo Penta’s Yacht Series Support is an added feature that allows a customer access to a 24/7 hotline for high-level response to any queries. This has proven to be very worthwhile.”
Milestone product for flagship yacht
Volvo Penta’s new D13-IPS1350 is an integrated package that links engine, electronics, transmission and propellers, and is the company’s most powerful model in the IPS range. The milestone product sees Volvo Penta move into the 1000hp marine leisure engine market for the first time; the integrated IPS package produces power equivalent to a 1350hp engine in a standard inboard shaft installation. The innovative design of Volvo Penta IPS has twin forward-facing counter-rotating propellers that sit below the hull for superior grip. This produces better fuel efficiency, fast acceleration, and higher top speeds, reduced noise and vibration, and lower emissions than a traditional inboard engine. The configuration also allows for more internal space on board.
“Riviera creates world-renowned motor yachts and we’ve established a great partnership through working with them for many years,” says Gavin Rooney, key account manager at Volvo Penta Oceania. “They’ve seen the benefits that they can offer their customers in using our IPS in their vessels, and we’re pleased, of course, that they have chosen our new D13-IPS1350 for their latest yacht. The Belize 66 is a beautiful yacht and we hope that their customers have many years of enjoyment on board.”
