Riva 88' Folgore

• LOA: 26.92 m (88 ft 4 in)
• Beam: 6.31 m
• Engines: twin MTU 16V, 2,435 or 2,638 hp
• Top speed: approx 36 to 39 knots
• Displacement: approx 70 tonnes
• Fuel: approx 8,000 litres
• Accommodation: four cabins including full-beam owner's suite
• Type: sportfly, designed by Officina Italiana Design

Lightning in the line-up

Riva named this yacht Folgore, the Italian word for lightning, and built it around speed. At 26.92 metres overall it is one of the larger boats in the planing GRP range below the superyachts. It shares its platform with the open 88' Florida, trading some volume for pace and a sportier stance. The name states the intent. Speed is the headline the Folgore is built to deliver at this size.

The Folgore is a sportfly, which means it carries a small upper deck in place of a full flybridge. That keeps the profile low while still giving an outdoor helm and lounging space up top. It targets owners who want a big Riva that still feels quick. It is the athlete among the yard's larger yachts. The upper deck adds usable space without the bulk of a full flybridge tower.

Carbon, glass and a low stance

Officina Italiana Design kept the superstructure low and stretched, with a long foredeck and a heavily raked screen. Smoked glass set into the hull sides feeds light to the cabins and adds to the dark sporting look. Carbon fibre runs through the structure to save weight up high. The upper station is faired in so it barely breaks the line. The whole superstructure is drawn to look like a single continuous form.

The exterior mixes glass and lacquered surfaces in the usual Riva manner. Colours stay restrained so the shape does the talking. A fold-down terrace and a broad bathing platform open the aft end to the sea. The stance stays aggressive even at the dock. The dark glazing wrapping the hull is one of the boat's clearest signatures.

A twenty-seven metre Riva named for lightning and built to feel like it.

Four cabins and a full-beam owner's suite

Below deck the Folgore offers four cabins, with a full-beam owner's suite amidships at its heart. A VIP cabin sits forward, and two further cabins complete the accommodation. Riva finishes the interior in marble and lacquered wood. The owner's suite uses the smoked hull glazing for light and a low sea view. Placing it amidships keeps motion at its lowest for the owner.

The main deck runs open from the helm to a saloon and out to the cockpit. Large side glazing keeps the space bright and connected to the water. The galley and dining zones serve both quick lunches and longer stays. Above, the sportbridge gives a second social area with its own helm. That upper deck is where guests tend to gather when the boat is at anchor.

Twin MTU firepower

The Folgore runs twin MTU 16V diesels offered at 2,435 or 2,638 hp. Riva quotes a top speed of 36 to 39 knots depending on the engine package chosen. Displacement is around 70 tonnes, kept in check by the carbon in the build. Fuel capacity of about 8,000 litres supports fast coastal passages. The larger engine option is there for owners who want the full turn of speed.

The hull is a planing form built for pace at the top of this size class. It is set up to hold speed comfortably instead of just touching a headline number. The sportfly weight is managed so the upper deck does not blunt performance. This is a yacht meant to be driven hard. It rewards an owner who enjoys the helm as much as the accommodation.

The owner who wants size and speed

The Folgore suits an owner stepping up in length who will not give up the sporting feel of a smaller Riva. It offers superyacht-adjacent volume with the pace of a sports cruiser. Many buyers run it with a small crew for Mediterranean summers. It works as a main yacht for a family that values driving. The four cabins make it practical for a full guest party as well.

In the market it meets fast flybridge and coupe yachts from other premium builders. Riva sells it on styling and the balance of speed against space. The smoked glass and low deck give it a look few rivals match. For a certain buyer it is the point where a Riva still feels like a sports boat. Beyond this length the range turns toward comfort and steady cruising.

Design

• Exterior: Officina Italiana Design (Mauro Micheli / Sergio Beretta)
• Interior: Officina Italiana Design
• Naval architecture: Ferretti Group Engineering Department

Who it is for: A family owner who wants superyacht-scale space with the speed and low sporting profile of a much smaller Riva.