The Riviera Yachts 45 Open Flybridge Shaft Drive 2012 vs Riviera Yachts 4700 Sport Yacht 2007 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 45 Open Flybridge Shaft Drive 2012 measures 51,3 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 46,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Riviera Yachts 4700 Sport Yacht 2007 at 5,0 feet (2007). At 394 lbs and 331 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 1 150 hp, the Riviera Yachts 4700 Sport Yacht 2007 has a 480-hp advantage over the Riviera Yachts 45 Open Flybridge Shaft Drive 2012's 670-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 4700 Sport Yacht 2007 carries 634 gallons versus 608 gallons in the Riviera Yachts 45 Open Flybridge Shaft Drive 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 4700 Sport Yacht 2007 is rated for 15 passengers, while the Riviera Yachts 45 Open Flybridge Shaft Drive 2012 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 4700 Sport Yacht 2007 could be the deciding factor.