How did boating first become part of your life?

Mark:

Boating has really been part of my life for as long as I can remember. We both grew up in Southern California—though not together, obviously. In that part of the world, a lot of people vacation along the Colorado River, as well as in Nevada and Arizona, and that was very much the norm for us.

We spent a lot of time there water skiing. I learned to water ski when I was six years old, and from then on, boating and skiing were always a big part of our family holidays. That passion has continued to this day. I still own a water ski boat, we ski on a lake regularly, I still compete in tournaments, and our kids ski as well. That style of boating has always been part of our lives.

Then, in 2016, we bought a condo in Newport Beach. We grew up more inland, so being right on the water was a big change. Suddenly, we were surrounded by boats every day, right out the front.

Around that time, we had a friend who really wanted us to get into ocean boating. He couldn’t quite afford the boat he wanted and suggested we partner with him. He was actually the one who encouraged us to look at Newport Beach in the first place, because he knew we wouldn’t commit to a boat if we had to drive in from inland Southern California.

He sent the condo listing to Anita—not to me—because he knew I’d probably say no straight away. Anita asked if she could go and have a look, and I said, “You can look, but we’re not buying anything.” That plan didn’t last very long.

We ended up buying the condo, and not long after that, it naturally led to buying our first ocean boat—a Riviera 4400 Sport Yacht. That was our first real step into ocean boating.

Anita:

I learned to water ski early on, but we also took our boat out into the ocean. It was a small boat—one you could trailer—but we took it to Long Beach and even down to San Diego. I loved sitting up the front, getting pounded by the water, with the wind and spray in my face. I had no fear of that at all.

When our kids were growing up, we continued water skiing, but I always wanted to be on the ocean. Mark really had no interest in that at the time. Honestly, if it weren’t for our friend Dave, none of this would have happened.

What initially drew you to the Riviera brand?

Mark:

It actually started with our friend Dave. He didn’t own a Riviera yet, but he was researching boats constantly. He travelled a lot for work and spent a lot of time studying different brands. He was very particular about quality.

We looked at a lot of boats together, and there were some he wouldn’t even step onboard. He wanted something solid and well built. He eventually decided Riviera was the right boat, and once we started using the 4400, it was obvious why. The real value of a Riviera isn’t just in how it looks at the dock — it’s how it performs when you’re actually out cruising.

What stood out once you began cruising on your first Riviera?

Mark:

The boat felt solid and safe. It handled conditions that weren’t always comfortable for the people onboard, but the boat itself was never an issue. It was also very easy to handle. Our son was only about 14 or 15 at the time and could drive it confidently. That gave us a lot of peace of mind.

How did your experience with the 4400 influence the move to the 5400?

Mark:

Even when we bought the 4400, Dave had already decided the 5400 would be our next boat. At the time, it was brand new and a big step financially, so we waited a few years. The plan then was still fairly local cruising — weekends, Catalina, San Diego — nothing like what we do now. When we moved the 5400 to Florida, our cruising really expanded. We took it to the Bahamas and then all the way up the East Coast to Bar Harbor, Maine — nearly to Canada. That trip gave us a lot of confidence and showed us what these boats are capable of.

How did the move to the 6800 feel? Was the size a concern?

Anita:

I was worried at first, but now I’m very confident. The bow thruster remote, joystick controls, and Volvo technology make it manageable. In some ways, it’s easier than smaller boats. People here are also incredibly helpful. Everywhere we dock, people appear to help

Mark:

I think many people would assume it’s too large, but that hasn’t been our experience at all. Between the joystick, thrusters, and Volvo technology, we can manage it easily. Even in windier conditions, it’s very controlled. We don’t worry about pulling into marinas without assistance — though in Australia, people always seem to appear to help anyway.

Did you have any particular custom items?

Anita:

Yes, quite a bit. We added a dive compressor, mounted tanks, and converted the crew bathroom into a wetsuit and gear drying space. We added bars and racks throughout the garage so wetsuits and towels could drip dry.

We also carry spare props—we learned in the Bahamas that it’s smart to be prepared. There’s a proper workbench, tool storage, and everything is well thought out.

Inside, we chose more storage instead of a dishwasher—three drawers instead of one. When you live aboard, pantry space matters more than appliances. Even with family aboard for 10 days, handwashing dishes was easy and practical.

 

Why did you decide to take delivery in Australia

Anita:

I had wanted to take delivery in Australia for years. The idea was to spend time here, cruise locally, and really get to know the boat before moving on. That plan was delayed for a while, but when the opportunity came up again with the 6800, it made sense to do it properly.

Being able to use the boat here, make adjustments, and work directly with the factory has been invaluable. You learn very quickly what works and what you’d like to change once you’re actually living onboard.

What were your first impressions cruising Australian waters?

Anita:

The whales. We expected to see them, but we didn’t expect them to come so close. That was incredible. The coastline also surprised me — the rugged cliffs, the rock formations, the way trees grow straight out of stone. It’s very different from the U.S.

How did the trip from Queensland to Sydney go?

Mark:

The boat handled it without any issue. We had an experienced Skipper with us initially to help with local knowledge, especially through areas like the Sandy Straits. That was invaluable. Once offshore, the 6800 was completely comfortable.

What has stood out most from the journey so far?

Anita:

The whales, without question. We’ve seen humpbacks before in California, but nothing like this. Having them surround the boat and hearing them so clearly was something we’ll never forget.

What was it like spending New Year’s Eve on Sydney Harbour aboard your own yacht?

Anita:

It was an incredible experience. Having Lucas onboard as captain meant we could relax and enjoy the night. He was always aware of what was happening around us, keeping an eye on other boats and making sure everything was handled smoothly.

The scale of the fireworks was impressive — not just one display, but multiple locations around the harbour, from the bridge to the Opera House and further out on the water. It’s hard to understand just how much is happening unless you’re there in person. The sound, the timing, and the coordination were unlike anything we’d experienced before.

What inspired you to plan a global cruising itinerary with this boat?

Mark:

It really evolved over time. When we started looking at our next boat, the plan wasn’t anything close to this. We were working with Riviera and talking through what the next step might be, and those conversations slowly expanded the possibilities. Once we realised the boat could comfortably handle long-range cruising, the idea of taking it beyond the U.S. started to make sense.

At the same time, we were travelling frequently just to check on a house back home, which didn’t fit with how we wanted to live. Selling the house and simplifying our base allowed us to focus on travelling and cruising rather than managing property. From there, the idea of cruising internationally became a natural progression.

How challenging is it to ship a yacht internationally, and how did you approach the logistics?

Mark:

Shipping the yacht internationally has been more straightforward than we expected, largely because Riviera has helped coordinate the process. Having people who understand the boat and the logistics makes a huge difference.

Interestingly, shipping the yacht to Europe will be easier than shipping our tender to Australia. Importing a U.S.-built tender into Australia was far more complicated than arranging transport for the 6800 to Europe. For Europe, Riviera is managing the process, including timing and destination, which takes a lot of the stress out of it.

Where will the yacht be based once it arrives in Europe?

Mark:

The plan is for the yacht to be shipped to the Mediterranean, with Malta as our home base. We already have a berth there starting in May, and we also hold residency in Malta, which allows us to stay longer than the standard Schengen limits

What cruising destinations are at the top of your list in Europe?

Anita:

Italy is at the top of the list, along with Sicily, Malta, and Croatia. We’re not trying to do everything in one season. The Mediterranean is more of a long-term plan, likely over a couple of years, rather than rushing through it.

 

Do you see this style of global cruising continuing beyond Europe?

Mark:

Possibly. After Europe, the Caribbean is certainly an option, and from there it would be easy to bring the boat back to the Bahamas or the U.S. At this point, we’re open to where the boat takes us. The focus is on enjoying the journey rather than locking in a fixed plan.

 

How has boating changed for you over time?

Anita:

It’s gone from being a hobby to a lifestyle. The boat is our home now. Wherever it is, that’s where home is. We don’t pack much when we travel — everything we need is already onboard. It’s comfortable, familiar, and it doesn’t matter what country we’re in.

What advice would you give to owners considering their first long-distance cruise?

Mark:

Just do it. Start small, build confidence, and keep going farther. The more you do it, the more comfortable you become. Marinas and people are generally helpful, and you learn quickly. You don’t get there by waiting — you get there by going. And if you’re considering upgrading within the Riviera range—don’t be afraid of size. The 6800 is comfortable, manageable, and incredibly well designed for couples and family cruising.

 

Note:

The photograph captures a whale approaching an anchored boat with its engine turned off. The vessel was completely still, and the interaction occurred solely because the whale chose to come closer.

 

 

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