Matching a deep vee Riviera Yachts 38 Open Flybridge 2012 against a modified vee Riviera Yachts M470 Sport Cruiser 2012 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 M470 Sport Cruiser 2012 measures 47,7 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 4,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Riviera Yachts 38 Open Flybridge 2012 at 42,9 feet (2012). At 24 lbs and 22 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 425 hp, the Riviera Yachts M470 Sport Cruiser 2012 has a 55-hp advantage over the Riviera Yachts 38 Open Flybridge 2012's 370-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 M470 Sport Cruiser 2012 carries 325 gallons versus 38 gallons in the Riviera Yachts 38 Open Flybridge 2012. 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 M470 Sport Cruiser 2012 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Riviera Yachts 38 Open Flybridge 2012 caps at 12. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Riviera Yachts M470 Sport Cruiser 2012 could be the deciding factor.