While full specifications remain under wraps, the Riva model was publicly presented by the Ferretti Group at boot Düsseldorf 2026 as a defined project with a clear direction, a build underway, and a planned launch in 2027.
A public look at Riva’s next major project
The first public discussion of the 42m Caravelle came during Ferretti Group’s press conference at boot Düsseldorf 2026. Framed as a sneak preview rather than a full technical unveiling, the presentation confirmed only core fundamentals. The yacht measures 42 meters in length, features a semi-displacement hull, and is currently under construction in Italy, with the first hull scheduled for launch in 2027.
Both exterior and interior design of the motor yacht are by Officina Italiana Design, maintaining continuity with Riva’s modern design language. No performance figures, accommodation layouts, or propulsion details were disclosed, reinforcing that the project is still being introduced in stages.
A long, low profile shaped by Riva’s modern design language
Based on the imagery shown during the presentation, the Caravelle adopts a long, low-profile silhouette with a pronounced forward sheer and a restrained superstructure height. Dark, continuous glazing bands run horizontally through the main and upper deck levels, visually elongating the profile and keeping the yacht’s proportions grounded despite her size.
The Caravelle project was initiated several years ago in response to changing client expectations."
Ferretti Group
The aft sections appear deliberately stepped, prioritizing exterior deck space and terrace-style areas over vertical mass. The hull carries its volume well aft, consistent with the stated semi-displacement platform, while the bow presents a sharp, controlled geometry typical of Riva’s recent larger models.
Responding to evolving owner expectations
Speaking at the press conference, Ferretti Group executives emphasized that the Caravelle project responds to evolving client expectations. The stated goal is to balance speed and onboard comfort, addressing owners who want performance without sacrificing long-range usability. The yacht was described as flexible in concept, intended to deliver what was referred to as “the comfort of Riva” while adapting to broader cruising profiles than the brand’s smaller models traditionally allow.
Rather than being framed as a single, isolated superyacht, Caravelle was described as a project and an idea, with the suggestion that the concept could expand further if client demand follows.
Heritage behind the Caravelle name
The Caravelle name carries historical weight within Riva’s lineage. The term itself originates from the caravel sailing ships of the 15th century, known for long-range capability, speed for their era, and adaptability at sea. Within the Riva portfolio, the name previously appeared in the 1960s, produced during the Carlo Riva era as the brand moved toward larger cruising yachts.
Ferretti Group CEO Alberto Galassi has explicitly linked the new 42m Caravelle to that heritage, stating that the project follows in the footsteps of the legendary boat introduced in the 1960s. This connection positions the modern Caravelle as a continuation of Riva’s historic expansion into larger yachts, rather than a departure from it.
Where Caravelle sits in the wider Riva range
The 42 metri Caravelle arrives alongside the Riva 54 Metri, already launched, and the previously announced Riva 70 Metri, marking a clear push by the brand into larger yachts while retaining a distinct Riva identity. Within Ferretti Group’s broader portfolio, this size range is already well covered by other brands, but Caravelle represents Riva’s own expression of a semi-displacement superyacht.
For now, what Riva has chosen to share is deliberately limited. What is confirmed is the scale, the hull type, the design authorship, and the launch timeline. Further technical detail is expected closer to launch, but even at this early stage, Caravelle signals a measured and purposeful evolution of the Riva name into 42-meter territory.
The presentation also covered a broader slate of upcoming models across the Ferretti Group brands. Among the announcements were the new Itama 70 and the Pershing GTX90, both introduced as part of the group’s forward product strategy.
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