Record 74 Riviera yachts set to transform Matilda Bay into WA’s biggest luxury Raft Up spectacle this Friday

Within days, Matilda Bay will trade its usual calm for a scene more reminiscent of Monaco than Perth, as a gleaming armada of Riviera yachts glide in for the annual Raft Up.

This year, a record 74 Riviera motor yachts have confirmed their place in the floating celebration, forming what will be the largest event of its kind in WA.

Collectively worth more than $50 million, the fleet will fan out across the river on Friday in a spectacular horseshoe formation that R Marine Perth retail sales manager, Ryan Lloyd, said only few get to witness.

“There’s only two ways to secure a ticket to the Riviera Perth Raft Up,” Mr Lloyd said.

“Either own a Riviera or know someone who owns a Riviera.”

Mr Lloyd dubbed the Raft Up one of the “most anticipated” boating events in the State.

“It’s a great day out, and all our owners love gathering together and hopping between each other’s yachts, renewing and making new friendships,” he said.

“It’s a wonderful showcase of the West Australian way of life.”

For Perth boat enthusiast and Terrastone business owner, Adam Burvill, this year’s event brings an extra spark of excitement. He’ll be steering his newly purchased Riviera into the Raft Up for it’s debut, having timed the purchase precisely so he wouldn’t miss out on the iconic event.

“I can’t wait — it’s going to be fantastic,” he said.

“I usually am busy in the first weekend of December with my kids school camp, but I offered to help out and convinced them to move the camp ahead a week so I was free for the Raft Up.

“I’ve been a guest on my in laws’ yacht before, but this will be my first time as a Riviera owner myself. I knew I had to get my hands on a Riviera before December so I could make the Raft Up, I brought my boat two weeks ago.”

The luxury brand’s moment in the spotlight is more than a marketing ploy. Mr Burvill said the company has built a “family” everyone wants to be part of.

“When choosing between boat brands the Riviera stands out because they host ongoing social events.,” he said.

“On Friday you can walk on the back deck of people’s boats to get to your friends boat and sometimes you wont even make it to their boat, you just end up talking to new people, making friends with the other Riviera owners.

“Everyone want to be part of the Riviera family.”

Mr Lloyd said Mr Burvill is not the only boat owner who planned to make their first public appearance among the flotilla this Friday.

“We have some owners say to us that they absolutely must have their new motor yachts delivered by December 1, so that they can attend the Raft Up in their brand new boat,” he said.