The Riviera Yachts 42 Flybridge 2007 vs Riviera Yachts 63 Open Series II 2013 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 Riviera Yachts 63 Open Series II 2013 measures 64,4 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 18,4 additional feet of deck space compared to the Riviera Yachts 42 Flybridge 2007 at 46,0 feet (2007). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Riviera Yachts 63 Open Series II 2013 tips the scales at 672 lbs — 363 lbs less than the Riviera Yachts 42 Flybridge 2007 at 309 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 1 015 hp, the Riviera Yachts 63 Open Series II 2013 has a 35-hp advantage over the Riviera Yachts 42 Flybridge 2007's 980-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 63 Open Series II 2013 carries 1 731 gallons versus 473 gallons in the Riviera Yachts 42 Flybridge 2007. 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 63 Open Series II 2013 is rated for 19 passengers, while the Riviera Yachts 42 Flybridge 2007 caps at 14. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Riviera Yachts 63 Open Series II 2013 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Riviera Yachts 63 Open Series II 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 19 passengers and at 64,4 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Riviera Yachts 42 Flybridge 2007 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 14 that costs less to run day-to-day.