Sunrise Marine brings the great foreign yachting brands back to Italy

There are foreign shipyards whose names are engraved in the memory of any owner all around the world. Icons of their respective market segments, they are unique boatyards that have successfully earned an unparalleled reputation over the years, based on high quality, seaworthiness and, above all, their loyal customers’ satisfaction.

We’re talking about Chris Craft, the icon of the American powerboats, and Riviera, the Australian shipyard well-known for its high-quality and seaworthy fishing boats and cruisers. Unfortunately, these brands have deserted the Italian market for a long period, partly because of crisis, partly because importing these boats is a heavy responsibility that both shipyards don’t give anyone.

Then, strolling around the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, we’ve discovered that, thanks to Sunrise Marine and an initiative from its founder, these great boats will finally come back to Italy.

Both shipyards are highly active and they joined the American boat show with a wide, interesting range of models.

Here is what we liked the most.

Chris Craft

The icon of American runabouts, Chris Craft has been manufacturing prime powerboats since 1874. Still today, every boat is in-house crafted by highly experienced carpenters and artisans, whose knowledge of natural hand-selected teak, other woods and leather is unsurpassed in the industry.

Designers maintain tight control over every detail that defines a very demanding set of standards. Livrey and all boat components are custom made and customers can start building their dream boat by entering a specific section of the company’s website that offers a user-friendly, clear configurator.

In the next few weeks, Sunrise Marine will give us the opportunity to sea trial some of these extraordinary boats. Test results, of course, will be published on our magazine.

Capri 21

The design of the iconic vertical bow, shared by the other model of the line, reinterprets the ’30s popular runabout boats while repeating the Chris Craft’s timeless elegant style.

Entirely covered with natural teak, the bow gives the Capri 21 an unparalleled look. The cockpit can seat 6 guests who, in an exclusive, luxurious environment, can enjoy the performance of this entry-level day cruiser destined to give great sailing emotions in perfect American style.

Capri 27

Longer and wider than the Capri 21, the Capri 27 offers greater volumes and a beautiful fore cabin equipped with bathroom. A comfortable side-deck enables passengers to move freely from the bow to the stern and prevent them from walking on the wide, beautiful, aft sun pad. Fitted with a more powerful engine option and greater range, this powerboat is the ideal partner for a dream weekend.

Catalina 34 Pilothouse

Presented as a world première at the American boat show, the Catalina 34 Pilothouse perfectly combines the elegant style of the American brand and a well-sheltered pilot house that matches the sporty performance promised by this boat that can be powered by twin 350hp outboards.

Corsair 34

Featuring classic lines and a highly performing V-hull, this motorboat is perfect for medium-range cruises. Seaworthiness, stability and agility are the key elements of this fast, funny boat. The bow houses a luxurious cabin, a bathroom with separated shower, a galley and wide stowage spaces. The Corsair 34 is an elegant, fully-equipped weekend-cruiser .

Riviera

Australia is a country that has yachting in its blood. Surrounded by unfriendly oceans, its shipyards have always built boats where mistakes are simply not allowed.

For 37 years, Riviera has been manufacturing boats where seaworthiness is the basic requirement and part of the “standard equipment”. Nothing is left to chance and the company’s experience in the construction of both fishing boats and luxury yachts is unsurpassed in yachting industry.

Riva yachts are unique, all characterized by aggressive lines. Often labelled as “luxury fisherman”, they actually offer much more.

 Riviera 45

The Riviera 45 Flybridge is a very particular yacht. Positioned on the fly bridge, the pilot house leaves enough room to the living area on the main deck whose volumes are worthy of larger yachts. The Riviera 45 Flybridge indeed features a 60-foot living area that, combined with the cockpit size, develops an extraordinary surface, probably unthinkable for any other “conventional” flybridge.

Properly sheltered and air-conditioned, the flybridge doesn’t make us regret the inner helm station and offers extraordinary visibility. All protections can be easily removed and the Riviera 45 Flybridge can therefore switch from a “winter” to a “summer” mode.

The quality of interior fittings is perceivable everywhere as well as the great attention to sea safety, expressed by the numerous – maybe unexpected – sturdy handrails.

The Riviera 45 Flybridge is a very interesting boat and we look forward to testing her in the next few weeks.