Yacht Class n°33 (june-july-august 2023)

Riva Ferretti Group 

Already a member of the open hard-top family, the 76′ Bahamas has been given a new lease of life and has undergone a facelift, particularly in terms of her electronic equipment. She is just as liveable, but offers more comfort.

Written by : Alain Brousse – Photos : DR

A true icon of yachting, notably with its runabouts, Riva has fortunately been able to develop in other sectors such as open hard-tops and flybridges, not forgetting super yachts. Not a year goes by without this famous Italian shipyard unveiling one or more models, most of them innovative. It also sometimes “modernises” and improves a unit that has already been successful.

More efficient electronic equipment

In terms of exterior design, the 76′ Bahamas retains the taut lines of the open hard-top, created by the usual trio of in-house designers: Officina Italiana Design, Strategic Product Committee (Piero Ferrari) and Ferretti Group Engineering Department. It has to be said that its flowing silhouette remains trendy and continues to be an irresistible eye-catcher. You can’t get enough of this open boat that becomes a hardtop at the touch of a button on the dashboard. Explanation: the sun deck is covered by a carbon bonnet, which can be raised electrically and has two functions: either it shelters the sunbathing area from the sun, or it joins the top of the windscreen and then acts as a roof covering the front part of the main deck. This is a very welcome feature for the pilot and his companions. Note that the Bahamas has another sunbathing area, built into the end of the deckhouse. There is no shortage of places on board to enjoy the UV. Thus, there is a vast solarium in the cockpit (4 to 6 people) overlooking the hydraulic bathing platform on its three quarters. Opposite is displayed a large L-shaped bench seat to starboard and a long seat to port, also with a mattress. Still on the main deck and following the cockpit, the starboard side has a very convivial saloon (6 people) for snacks, but also for meals. Facing it, is a cabinet with storage space, a work surface, a grill and a refrigerator. However, the 76′ Bahamas has an independent kitchen on the lower deck. Let’s stay on the main deck and in particular in the wheelhouse, on the starboard side, which offers two armchairs and a dashboard, which will be the occasion for our guide Riva to explain that the new 76′ Bahamas Super has been equipped with advanced electronics for the commands and controls. This is intended to make sailing, anchoring and maintenance easier and to facilitate the captain’s task.

Three passenger cabins

As a 22-metre vessel, and therefore necessarily habitable, the Bahamas had to have a very welcoming lower deck. Let’s go down the few steps that lead us first to a space offering a saloon (4 to 6 persons). Not far away, but on the starboard side, a sliding partition opens onto a separate kitchen, with all the necessary equipment to prepare quality food. This lower deck would not be complete without the inevitable cabins, including the master cabin in the centre with a good headroom of 2.30 metres. Its bathroom is located on the port side against the planking, but remains open with a large porthole. On the other side, there is a storage unit. The dressing room is in the inventory of this owner’s cabin. For the “privileged” guests, one can find a VIP cabin in the bow, with a double bed, a bathroom and a dressing room. The Bahamas offers a third, smaller cabin with two single beds. Finally, between the master and the engine room, although narrow, the crew cabin has two bunk beds and a toilet and washbasin area. In the spirit of Riva, a hard-top open boat of this size, with family cruising as its main objective, will be well received if she offers a maximum performance of at least 30 knots. Therefore, the 76′ Bahamas Super is powered by two traditional MAN V12 1 800 hp diesels to achieve a maximum speed of 32 knots. By reducing the speed to 28 knots, it can cover 320 miles without refuelling.