The details had clearly been set and then reset by Riva and his team. The name Aquarama evokes both the panoramic view that can be seen in the chrome contours of its windscreen and the new vogue for giant screens (Cinerama). The transom was sloped to allow easy access to the water. Wicker drink trays were built into the backs of the forward seats, and a beautiful sunpad was designed over the engines. I know it’s over-hyping it, but I have to say my day aboard Gala-probably because I knew so much about Aquarama’s history-was one of my most memorable days on the water after 30 years of testing boats.īeyond the beautiful, varnished wood and chrome work, features like the bow anchor locker, with a clever self-retrieving anchor system, and the soft canvas top had a huge spring inside to make it easy to raise and lower the canvas when it started to rain. I had the helm a few hours but let the captain dock it, as the mahogany finish was flawless and I didn’t want to leave any scratches. There was a sense of grace and performance, especially considering its age, that I hadn’t felt before. When the hull slapped it was a much softer sound than fiberglass. It was such an enjoyable boat to drive, turning sharp with the twin engines. ![]() The hull had been designed for ocean running-after Riva had been chided by a longtime friend for building “lake boats.”Ĭarlo Riva’s creation is celebrating the 60th anniversary of its launch in August. And the side throttles were also modeled on a car to make it more intuitive for new owners who were not necessarily boaters. The oversized steering wheel felt perfect for a boat that would’ve been compared to a Cadillac or Lincoln in its day. The hand-built wooden hulls were built on a production line like cars for quality control and timely delivery.Īt the dock, Gala had a stately presence, with pinstripes on the light-colored mahogany foredeck, a beautiful reddish-tinted hull, gleaming chrome, and a wraparound automotive-style windshield which was radical for the day. Riva had decided early on to model the Aquarama after the finest luxury cars with throaty American marine engines ( Gala had twin 320 hp Rivas, which were modified Crusaders). Unlike most boats, the helm is on the left side. Owned by Ferretti Group CEO Alberto Galassi, Gala was a stunning wooden boat, with ivory-colored upholstery, a Calax-style steering wheel inspired by a 1958 Chrysler 300, and side throttles. The boat was meticulously crafted from wood.
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