ABOUT ME
timeless classic motor yacht
At the end of 1959, Carlo Riva, the owner of Cantieri Riva in Sarnico on Lago d’Iseo (Italy) had come into contact with the shipyard “De Vlijt”. At the beginning of 1960, a contract was drawn up between the two parties to build modern stylized motor yachts on behalf of Riva, together with designer De Voogt. The steel hull was designed by technical bureau H.W. de Voogt & Zoon in Haarlem. The design of the superstructure and the interior was by Carlo Riva and Giorgio Barilani.
Riva chose the series name “Caravelle” for the seven luxury steel motor yachts. He came to this choice because in Spanish the word “caravelle” meant a small sailing ship. In addition, he was a great admirer of the French aircraft type of that time called “Caravelle”.
The Designers
Legendary naval architect H.W. de Voogt from Haarlem was closely involved in the design of the various Caravelles. Carlo Riva was very familiar with the work of the Dutch designer, including the princely yacht “Piet Hein”. The general plan and the subdivision plan of the Caravelle were provided in Italy by Riva and his chief designer, but the technical details were done at De Voogt's desk. During the development of the Series II, De Voogt transferred more and more work to his son and successor Ir. Frits de Voogt for health reasons. Henri Willem de Voogt died in 1963 at the age of 71.
Caravelle
Caravelle | 1961 - 1965 | Shipyard De Vlijt
Steel hull design
Superstructure and interior design
