Matching a deep vee Riviera Yachts 47 Open Flybridge SII 2012 against a modified vee Riviera Yachts 48 Offshore Express - Hardtop 2009 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 47 Open Flybridge SII 2012 measures 53,1 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 4,1 additional feet of deck space compared to the Riviera Yachts 48 Offshore Express - Hardtop 2009 at 49,0 feet (2009). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Riviera Yachts 47 Open Flybridge SII 2012 tips the scales at 432 lbs — 389 lbs more than the Riviera Yachts 48 Offshore Express - Hardtop 2009 at 43 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 715 hp for the Riviera Yachts 47 Open Flybridge SII 2012 and 715 hp for the Riviera Yachts 48 Offshore Express - Hardtop 2009. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Riviera Yachts 47 Open Flybridge SII 2012 carries 977 gallons versus 925 gallons in the Riviera Yachts 48 Offshore Express - Hardtop 2009. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Both boats are rated for 15 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.