Riviera 395 SUV Sea Trial — Beginner Friendly or Experienced Only?

The Riviera 395 SUV sits in an interesting position. For some people, this could genuinely be their first “real” motor yacht… and for others, it could easily be their last. If you want the comfort, offshore capability and solid feel of a serious cruising platform without dealing with the logistics and stairs of a much larger boat, the 395 starts making a lot of sense. In this video, we take a proper look at what makes this boat work so well for two completely different owners: someone moving up from outboard-powered boats and wanting something manageable, or an experienced Riviera owner looking to simplify without giving up comfort and capability. The layout is practical, the single-level living works extremely well, and the Volvo IPS setup makes docking far less intimidating than many people expect in a boat this size. This isn’t a fishing-first platform, and it’s not trying to be the biggest boat in the marina. What it does offer is a very balanced mix of comfort, usability, entertaining space and genuine cruising ability in a package that still feels approachable to operate. In the walkthrough, we break down the design, layout and ownership practicality. In the test drive, we see how she actually behaves around the marina, underway and at cruising speed because that’s the part brochures can’t really tell you. Enjoy, Dan THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS Mention Code DBL for discounts on Marine Mold Construction MS Marine BOAT BUILDERS Dan’s Boat Life – Boat Builders BOAT BUYERS Dan’s Boat Life – Boat Buyers BOAT OWNERS Dan’s Boat Life – Courses BRAND: https://www.rivieraaustralia.com/models/395-suv/ PRICE: https://www.rivieraaustralia.com/contact-us/ Watch Part 1 https://youtu.be/w2Lsm_qlOVU 00:00 Start 00:16 Helm overview and features including sliding window and armrest 01:11 Engine specifications and initial acceleration with IPS 600s 02:48 Speed testing into wind reaching 23+ knots 06:33 Boat handling characteristics and improved dryness compared to older models 07:09 Situational awareness benefits and low workload design 09:07 Speed testing downwind achieving 34+ knots wide open throttle 14:06 Displacement speed fuel consumption testing at 8-9 knots 15:15 Docking approach demonstration using throttles and joystick 17:02 Wing station operation and dual helm control features 21:58 Final performance summary and boat comparisons