Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Riviera Yachts 33 Open Flybridge SII 2009 vs Riviera Yachts 53 Enclosed Flybridge with IPS 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a modified vee Riviera Yachts 33 Open Flybridge SII 2009 against a deep vee Riviera Yachts 53 Enclosed Flybridge with IPS 2013 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Riviera Yachts 53 Enclosed Flybridge with IPS 2013 measures 59,7 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 24,7 additional feet of deck space compared to the Riviera Yachts 33 Open Flybridge SII 2009 at 35,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Riviera Yachts 53 Enclosed Flybridge with IPS 2013 tips the scales at 4 916 lbs — 4 718 lbs less than the Riviera Yachts 33 Open Flybridge SII 2009 at 198 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 700 hp, the Riviera Yachts 53 Enclosed Flybridge with IPS 2013 has a 390-hp advantage over the Riviera Yachts 33 Open Flybridge SII 2009's 310-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Riviera Yachts 53 Enclosed Flybridge with IPS 2013 carries 925 gallons versus 264 gallons in the Riviera Yachts 33 Open Flybridge SII 2009. 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 Riviera Yachts 53 Enclosed Flybridge with IPS 2013 is rated for 18 passengers, while the Riviera Yachts 33 Open Flybridge SII 2009 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Riviera Yachts 53 Enclosed Flybridge with IPS 2013 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Riviera Yachts 53 Enclosed Flybridge with IPS 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 18 passengers and at 59,7 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Riviera Yachts 33 Open Flybridge SII 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeRiviera Yachts
MakeRiviera Yachts
Model33 Open Flybridge SII
Model53 Enclosed Flybridge with IPS
Model Year2009
Model Year2013
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam12 ft. 7 in. (3.83 m) including gunwale
Beam16 ft. 10 in. (5.13 m)
Beam - Meters3.84
Beam - Meters5.13
Beam - Inches151
Beam - Inches202
Draft [max] - Detail3 ft. 3 in. (1 m) including props
Draft [max] - Detail4 ft. 10 in. (1.25 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.99
Draft [max] - Meters1.47
Draft [max] - Inches39
Draft [max] - Inches58
Weight - Detail19,800 lbs. (9,000 kg)
Weight - Detail49,160 lbs. (22,300 kg)
Weight - kg8981.12
Weight - kg22298.58
Weight - lbs.198
Weight - lbs.4916
Length - Meters10.73
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet35
Length - Feet59.67
Length - Inches2
Length - Inchesnot available
Length [over all with swim platform]37 ft. 7 in. (11.46 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length overall - Detail35 ft. 2 in. (10.73 m)
Length overall - Detail59 ft. 8 in. (18.2 m)
Length overall - Meters10.72
Length overall - Meters18.19
Length overall - Inches422
Length overall - Inches716
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard(2) Volvo
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail264 gal. (1,000 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail925 gal. (3,500 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters999.35
Fuel tank capacity - Liters3501.5
Fuel tank capacity - Gal264
Fuel tank capacity - Gal925
Fuel typeDiesel
Fuel typeDiesel
Drive typeInboard - Twin
Drive typenot available
Horsepower310 hp (228 kW) each
Horsepower700 hp (522 kW) each
Engine makenot available
Engine make(2) Volvo
Engine modelnot available
Engine modelIPS 9
Operational Info
Sleeping capacity4 - 6
Sleeping capacity6 - 8
Water capacity103 gal. (390 l)
Water capacity198 gal. (740 l)
Maximum people6
Maximum peoplenot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail18 gal. (68 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail72 gal. (273 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters68.14
Holding tank capacity - Liters272.55
Holding tank capacity - Gal18
Holding tank capacity - Gal72