text Teresa Favi
The eternal charm of Riva boats as told by Alberto Galassi
At the head of the group since 2014, Galassi has taken the company at dizzying levels with strategic vision
The historic Riva motorboat shipyard is among the most representative of Made in Italy excellence in the nautical field. Its history began in 1842 on Lake Iseo, when Pietro Riva founded the shipyard in Sarnico. In the 1950s, under the leadership of Carlo Riva, the brand achieved international fame thanks to iconic models such as the Ariston and the Tritone. In 1962 the Aquarama, the “Ferrari of the sea,” was born, loved by celebrities such as Brigitte Bardot and Sophia Loren. Since joining the Ferretti Group in 2000, Riva has continued to innovate, reaffirming itself as a symbol of luxury and tradition.
Alberto Galassi, lawyer and CEO of Ferretti Group, world leaders in the luxury yacht industryAlberto Galassi, lawyer and CEO of Ferretti Group, world leaders in the luxury yacht industry, is a Modenese born and bred. He talks to us from Carlo Riva’s office in Sarnico on Lake Iseo, birthplace and home of the historic Riva shipyard. At the head of the group since 2014, Galassi has taken the company at dizzying levels with strategic vision, an understanding of the Riva heritage but also a great competitive spirit.
The story of Riva begins in an unforeseeable way, can you tell us this already legendary story?
Like every great story, that of Riva also began almost by chance. The right person, at the right time was Pietro Riva, born in Laglio, in Como province in 1822, a century before the legendary Carlo Riva. The opportunity came in the spring of 1842, when a fisherman from Sarnico, a town on Lake Iseo, admiring his skill as a master shipwright, commissioned him to repair his boats moored on the Sebino, which had been the victims of a furious storm. Thus, at the age of twenty, Pietro began the adventure that would forever change his life and modern sailing, going to repair those damaged boats, in a shed on the Oglio river.
Speed, a word that often appears in Riva’s corporate history…
Riva’s is a story of speed, not only on the water, but also of a vision that has always characterized the company. After the Second World War, Carlo Riva went to America where he discovered the concept of pleasure boating, or spending time with family and friends at sea, a completely different way of using boats. When he returned to Italy, he understood that to be used that way, his boats would have to have a completely different layout. The rest is history as they say.
Riva Ariston, built in 1950 Riva and its boats have won over stars, rulers and great personalities. Can you share some anecdotes?
Carlo Riva had Gianni Agnelli try out an Aquarama in the sea at Monte Carlo, telling him that he would give it to him if he could turn it over. Brigitte Bardot was one of Riva’s influencers before the word was even coined: she had a Junior and a Florida and all her boyfriends owned a Riva boat. Onassis used a Riva as a tender to go back and forth to his legendary yacht, the Cristina. Prince Rainier of Monaco was a very authoritative Riva owner, and was on such good terms with Carlo Riva that when the engineer wanted to build the first boat service centre in Monte Carlo and didn’t know where to put it because of the limited space, Prince Rainier authorized the digging of a tunnel in the rock and gave life to the Riva Boat Service, which still exists today. This is also a demonstration of how Riva’s insights proved fortuitous.
Built in 1954, what is the charm of the Sarnico shipyard?
14 km of cables, dozens and dozens of electronic devices, hundreds of screws, steels, precious woods. When you see the construction lines of Riva boats in Sarnico you don’t expect there to be so much manpower, so much added value for a 20m boat. A complex structure where the boats are all made by hand, the only automated things are the engines.
What is the secret that makes these boats so unique and eternal?
The durability of the boats over time is a consequence of industrial choices made by Carlo Riva: the best materials, the best engines, the best finishes, the best craftsmen, the best paints, everything had to be top quality. This is why today, 60-70 years since they were built, Riva boats are still reliable and so loved.
Any special features in this regard?
An element chosen as a symbol of continuity between boats from different eras is the searchlight, the light that illuminates the manoeuvres of the boats. In the 1950s we found it on the Floridas, today we find it on the Dolceriva, Rivamare, and Aquariva models.
Riva Sebino, designed in 1951Among the new models, which should rightfully enter the ranking of Riva shipyard ‘legendary’ boats?
There are more than one, the first that comes to mind is the Riva 88’ Folgore, a boat of dazzling beauty. The first time I saw it, it looked like a spaceship from the future. It is one of the many masterpieces designed by the inspired hand of Mauro Micheli of Officina Italiana Design, who have projected Riva into the future, determining the success it enjoys today.
Can you tell us about your own Riva collection?
I am the proud and enthusiastic owner of two boats. The first, which my father bought, is a Riva Rudy, the first made of fiberglass, ideal at the time for the family and for water skiing, as well as a tender. The other is “the boat” par excellence, a magnificent Aquarama, the most beautiful boat ever built, unsurpassed in beauty and design, a work of art one never gets tired of looking at.
Besides boats, what are you passionate about?
I am a collector of contemporary art, which I also take to sea with me. On the Navetta 38 I have some works that reveal new details and unseen nuances in the light and reflections of the sea. Football is another of my great interests, and I would also say occupations, given that I have been part of the Manchester City board for more than 10 years. A part of my heart is also occupied by aeronautics and not only because of my long militancy in the industry with Piaggio Aerospace: it is a passion that developed during my military service in the paratroopers. I am a great fan and friend of the Frecce Tricolori, who have also flown over some of the Ferretti Group’s best events, making them unforgettable.
Who is your favourite artist?
Here too there are many. For long-lasting friendship, Elton John, star of a memorable Christmas concert for Ferretti Group at the Gran Teatro La Fenice in Venice.
Your favourite car?
I’ll stick to the present and say that I’m a lucky person, and a happy driver of a Ferrari Purosangue.
Favourite watch?
Another impossible question, I’ll say the one I have on my wrist now: a Rolex Daytona that celebrates the Le Mans 24 Hours centenary.
