Aquariva by Gucci Motors into Newport

It’s what happens when one of Italy’s most renowned design houses collaborates with a luxury  lifestyle design company: the “Aquariva by Gucci.” The stunning boat, which is currently docked at Newport’s Brown and Howard Wharf, “celebrates the era of La Dolce Vita, when a joie de vivre, glamour and elegance defined an attitude and a lifestyle.” Riva boats date back to 1842 on Italy’s Lake d’Iseo, but just last September, the company collaborated with the coveted stylish brand and Officina Italiana Design, the design company which created the original Aquariva in 2000, to fashion the head-turning pleasure-craft which looks quite at home in the City-by-the-Sea.  

The asking price for the stunning boat is a cool, $1.2 million, and here’s what that buys you: “… a fiberglass hull and detailing painted in Gucci’s own hue of glossy white, while Riva’s signature use of mahogany with classic varnish finish–twenty coats in all, ten by brushing, ten by spraying—is also the signature material for the cockpit and walking decks and awning cover hatch. The waterproof fabric covering the seats and sundeck features the emblematic Guccissima print, while the bed upholstery is defined by the beauty of Gucci white cotton. The iconic touch is provided by Gucci’s green-red-green web detailing which edges the floating line, perfectly complementing the unique green crystal windshield.”

Hop around the harbor via the two-speed electronic gear which guides twin 380-horsepower Yanmar engines, and when you hit the edge of the Atlantic, open her up to a maximum speed of 41 knots and a 150-mile range at cruising speed. Oh, and they throw in these fab Gucci accessories (terrycloth towels, totes, a cap,  flip flops, etc.). Any takers?