Get a Load of the Decade's Top Status Symbols, the E-Next Boats From Cantiere Ernesto Riva

If this name sounds familiar to you, then you've probably dabbled in some very high-class circles. After all, Cantiere Ernesto Riva has been responsible for building boats and yachts seen as a status of 'making it' in this lifetime for downright centuries.

Eight generations later, this boatyard is still owned by the same family and still crafting ships that will forever remain a downright status symbol. One aspect that makes a Riva so downright appealing to the eyes and senses is how they're built, using countless pounds of wood and techniques developed over literal centuries. In 1842, Peitro Riva (one of Ernesto's successors) would go on to raise the bar for the family business, starting Riva in Sarnico, Italy, but this story isn't about that Riva.

But this is the modern age, and Cantiere Ernesto Riva isn't about to sit around and watch all the new kids have all the fun, so what did they do? They whipped out yet another two boats, but this time around, they were electric, making them the first e-Rivas to ever grace the waters of Lake Como.

However, and this is how I even found out about this venture, they had help, working together with a Germany-based design team, none other than Frers, the one and the same that's a name in the industry since 1925 and currently responsible for over 600 vessels sailing the world's waters, and counting.

Now, this venture was started some years back, and upon doing so, the world was graced with nothing more than a render or two of what was to finally become a real toy for the rich, and boy, did they deliver! Two vessels were unveiled: E-Next and E-Next Open, the latter of which also goes by the name "Ernesto." Might I add, if you haven't seen the images in the gallery yet, now's the time to do so?

Since a whole bunch of info on these babies and how they're brought to life isn't available, trade secrets and all, we only have what we see to go by and a bit about the propulsion system behind the near-silent floating experience.

Starting with the E-Next, this hunk of floating wood comes in with a length of 7.65 m (25 ft) of luscious exterior design, brought to life mostly by Frers while Riva handled the interior. To board the ship, guests will step upon the after deck or just hop right in via the sides.

Once they do, they'll find themselves enveloped in tones of mahogany, white and blue leather, the finest trim, and a state-of-the-art helm with electronic display and functionality. You've got to love that wooden steering wheel and solid dashboard.

As for the Open model, this is the one considered the flagship of this series, and why it received the nickname "Ernesto," paying tribute to the founder of the timeless shipyard. This version has actually been around for longer than the standard E-Next, since 2017, to be precise, but its impeccable design still stands out against anything since then.

This version comes in with a length of 7.3 m and is once again built in Riva fashion, but the real ticket item here is the "open" design. The rear of this vessel is free of a stern as if to invite guests with open arms upon its one and only deck.

Once you step aboard, we find ourselves in the middle of a space that's free of any furnishings, and as we continue toward the cockpit, leather seating is found on both sides of the vessel and in the center for the captain and any passenger.

A couple of notable design cues include that scooped-out bow, accessible via a set of stairs, and best of all, a windshield that's crafted from the same wood as the rest of this ravishing flotation device. Do take a moment from your busy day to relax and picture yourself aboard one of these two ships.

Once you've placed yourself at the center of the action, it's time to take a closer look at the propulsion system behind these two dreamy machines. According to Frers, the Open is able to cruise at speeds upwards of 17 knots (19.5 mph) for up to two hours or 13 knots (15 mph) for up to four hours. It also does this with four guests onboard, peaking at 25 knots (28.7 mph).

Now, since these two ships were first unveiled, we've heard of no other endeavor between Riva and Frers, and frankly, that makes a whole lot of sense; at first sight, these babies come across as absolutely perfect, at least, that's my take on the matter.

But, how much is this sort of luxury going to cost anyone looking to get their hands on something like this? Well, for the time being, I'm not entirely sure these two beauties are even for sale, nor was I even able to find a price for any other average Ernesto Riva boat. I guess it's one of those "If you need to know the price, you can't afford it" kind of deal, which makes complete sense considering how these things look. Just a little something-something to enjoy.