The Riva Yacht 38 Rivamare 2017 vs Riva Yacht 90 Argo 2021 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Riva Yacht 90 Argo 2021 measures 93,4 feet overall (2021), giving it roughly 54,4 additional feet of deck space compared to the Riva Yacht 38 Rivamare 2017 at 39,0 feet (2017). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Riva Yacht 90 Argo 2021 tips the scales at 187 392 lbs — 167 551 lbs less than the Riva Yacht 38 Rivamare 2017 at 19 841 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The Riva Yacht 90 Argo 2021 tops out at 1 948 hp. Engine specs for the Riva Yacht 38 Rivamare 2017 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Riva Yacht 90 Argo 2021 carries 2 298 gallons versus 264 gallons in the Riva Yacht 38 Rivamare 2017. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Riva Yacht 90 Argo 2021 is rated for 28 passengers, while the Riva Yacht 38 Rivamare 2017 caps at 11. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Riva Yacht 90 Argo 2021 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Riva Yacht 90 Argo 2021 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 28 passengers and at 93,4 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Riva Yacht 38 Rivamare 2017 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 11 that costs less to run day-to-day.