June 06, 2025 by John Burnham

Riviera 4600 SYPE Review: Premium Express

The Riviera 4600 Sport Yacht Platinum Edition (SYPE) builds on Riviera’s legacy of high-quality, bluewater-capable yachts, offering a special edition express cruiser model that’s both luxurious and functional.  Riviera’s designers have gotten the details that matter to long-passage cruisers right. Our content partners, Captain Shelley and Captain Greg of BoatTest.com, recently conducted both a performance test and video walk-through of the model’s features:

 

 

Key Features of the Riviera 4600 Sport Yacht Platinum Edition

The “Platinum Edition” label on the 4600 SYPE refers to more than just its color accents. Riviera took several popular options and made them standard, including upgraded upholstery, electronics, entertainment systems, and finishes. The 4600 SYPE clearly invests in important details whether they be ergonomic, practical, or safety-related.

At the port-side helm, the adjustable captain’s chairs, tilted footrests, and large multi-functional displays make for a pleasant cruise. Visibility is good, though the reviewers point out the two structural supports forward and a blind spot aft, behind the starboard galley. 

Walkways outboard of the main saloon superstructure are wide—20 inches at hip level—and secure, with 29-inch rails. The anchor system has beefy hardware, practical freshwater and seawater spigots, an electric windlass with a point-of-use handheld controller, and dedicated storage for winch handles. At the stern, the swim platform is 13’6” wide and over 5 feet deep (52” can be lowered). With a weight tolerance of 660 lbs, the platform is designed to store and launch a tender, and for safety’s sake, it only operates with engines off. 

Once at anchor, entertainment options include an adjustable sun pad (86" x 87") at the bow and an extra-deep toy garage at the stern with dedicated fender storage. A flip-open window, retractable sunshade, and optional Isinglass cockpit enclosure help integrate indoor and outdoor spaces for any weather. 

The 4600 SYPE dedicates a generous amount of indoor/outdoor space to cooking and serving. Inside, the saloon’s galley is split between port and starboard, with more than 14 linear feet of Corian countertop space, a microwave/convection oven, two-burner cooktop, dishwasher, and refrigerator/freezer drawers. A wet bar extends the starboard side galley into the cockpit with a Kenyon electric grill summer kitchen. Outside, a teak and holly table with cup holders has wraparound seating for 10, while inside, an additional dining area near the helm allows for comfortable underway meals.

Belowdecks are three staterooms with ample storage, two heads with walk-in showers, and over 6’3” of headroom. The full-beam ensuite master features a queen berth, large hanging lockers and deep drawers, and a lounging area separate from the saloon. Under the foredeck, the VIP cabin has a queen berth and skylight. The third cabin has high-low bunks, though it can be configured as a lounge. The companionway has an optional stacked washer/dryer behind a pocket door and the entrance to the second head. Riviera’s space-use choices make the prospect of longer passages on the 4600 SYPE more appealing.

The engine room, accessed from the cockpit, has 5’10” headroom except in a few places, and enough space to work on engines. Well-designed sight glasses and sight gauges provide back-up visibility into key systems such as the main fuel tank and raw-water filter for the AC, and a freshwater spigot allows easy cleanup.

 

Aft cockpit

Although the table is a bit undersized for the indoor/outdoor kitchen and banquette, the flip-open window and sliding door allow for nice flow in the large cooking and dining zone (and uncomplicated access to the engine room).

 

Riviera 4600 SYPE Performance

The Riviera 4600 SYPE is powered by twin Volvo Penta IPS 800s, delivering 600 horsepower each. In sea trials conducted by BoatTest.com, the yacht reached a top speed of 30.5 knots at 2990 RPM. At a cruise speed of 26.5 knots, it has a range of approximately 245 nautical miles, based on 90 percent of its 555-gallon fuel capacity. At 9 knots, just under displacement speed, range can be increased to 549 nautical miles. The boat accelerates smoothly to cruise speed in 21 seconds and to top speed in 36 seconds.

Handling at cruise speed is predictable and responsive. Captain Greg’s estimate was that the 4600 SYPE takes about three boat lengths for a 360° turn at speed. The test was conducted in relatively smooth seas, but on circling and crossing the boat’s 2-3 foot wake, Captain Greg said that the hull easily absorbs the waves: “Not only is it quiet, but it feels very solid.” 

Returning to shore, the helmsman can put the boat into docking assist mode and shift to the port wing station, where excellent visibility and the sensitive joystick control system make docking easy with a little practice on the controls.

 

Cockpit image

Inside the saloon, a U-shaped banquette and table seats four for meals, transitioning to a comfortable space to close the automated blinds and skylights and extend the retractable television for a quiet movie night. All photos by Riviera
 

The Used Riviera 4600 SYPE Market

This model is relatively new on the market with few pre-owned models available. When you find one, you should conduct a thorough pre-purchase survey and familiarize yourself especially with the various engine modes, including hover and docking mode, that use the joystick system. With most controls contained in the multi-functional displays, you should also spend the time to understand the menu options. While the range of options is limited because of the premium packaging, be sure to understand which options are and are not included.

 

Cockpit

Inside the saloon, a U-shaped banquette and table seats four for meals, transitioning to a comfortable space to close the automated blinds and skylights and extend the retractable television for a quiet movie night. All photos by Riviera

 

Riviera 4600 Sport Yacht Platinum Edition Pricing 

As of May 2025, pre-owned, U.S.-based Riviera 4600 SYPE models generally list for $1.5 million or more, depending on year, engine hours, and configurations. Many boats will either be new or very lightly used and listed as price on application (POA).

Conclusion

The Riviera 4600 Sport Yacht Platinum Edition pairs high-end fit and finish with reliable offshore performance, making it a practical choice for those who can afford its premium comfort and want its cruising capability in a manageable size. Riviera has done a good job of bundling useful features as standard in a boat with plenty of headroom and storage compartments. If you're looking for a 46-foot cruiser that feels bigger than its dimensions and is built to go place, this one is worth a close look and sea trial.

Search for all Riviera models on Rightboat.

 

Technical Specifications - Riviera 4600 Sport Yacht Platinum Edition

Length Overall (inc. swim platform and bow roller): 15.31 m / 50' 3"

Hull Length: 13.16 m / 43' 2"

Beam: 4.7 m / 15' 5"

Maximum Draft (inc. props): 1.3 m / 4' 3"

Dry Weight (approx, depends on engine & options): 19,200 kg / 42,329 lb

Fuel Capacity: 2,100 L / 555 US gal

Water Capacity: 620 L / 164 US gal

Holding Tank Capacity: 151 L / 40 US gal

Sleeping Capacity: 6 persons

Cockpit Area: 6.33 m2 / 68.13 ft2

Bridge Clearance: 4.73 m / 15' 6"

Engines: Volvo Penta D8-IPS800 (2x), 441 kW ea, 600 hp ea

Written By: John Burnham

John Burnham is a marine ​editor and writer with ​decades of journalism experience as ​Chief Editor of​ boats.com,​ Sailing World, Cruising World, and ​other boating websites. As a competitive sailor, he has led teams to world and national titles in the International One-Design, Shields, and other classes. Based in Newport, Rhode Island, John is a​ PCC leadership coach, a member of the ​America’s Cup Hall of Fame Selection Committee​, and a ​past board member of Sail America and US Sailing. For more, see johnsburnham.com.

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