The $17 Million Starfire Blends an Ultra-Sporty Profile With Supreme Italian Elegance

Many luxury yachts under the 50-meter (164 feet) mark offer a balanced mix of speed, glamorous interior design, and lavish comfort. What makes Starfire special is its unrivaled Italian heritage, reflected to perfection in every detail onboard.

Although boasting all the qualities of a luxury sports boat, Starfire is more like an ultra-sophisticated loft residence on the water, ideal for those who prioritize aesthetics and individuality. The opposite of a shy or discrete pleasure craft, this Italian beast turns heads everywhere it goes and is impossible to forget.

Riva doesn't instantly come to mind when talking about Italian superyacht builders who are among the top shipyards worldwide. Most people are familiar with Riva due to Aquarama, the famous wooden sportboat of the 1950s, which quickly become iconic. Prior to that, the Italian shipyard had conquered the world with powerful race boats that won numerous trophies through the years in the 1920s and '30s.

By the beginning of the '70s, the old shipyard on Lake Iseo, founded by Pietro Riva way back in 1842, had reached a milestone – the debut of the fiberglass yachts era. Decades later, Riva changed direction once again when it was acquired by the prestigious Ferretti Group. Riva now had access to the infrastructure that would allow it to take things to the next level and create larger, more powerful yachts.

The Riva '86 Domino launched in 2010, was considered Riva's official debut in the world of larger luxury yachts. Five years later, the 37.5-meter (123 feet) Riva 112' Mythos became its flagship. In 2019, it was time for another defining moment and model. The 110' Dolcevita was introduced as the new fiberglass flagship, sporting a reinvented flybridge.

Delivered under the name of Starfire in 2022, the Riva 110' Dolcevita has all the attributes of a flagship. Two big names joined forces to create this masterpiece – the Ferretti Group's engineering department and Officina Italian Design, the acclaimed studio founded by Mauro Micheli and Sergio Beretta. The ultra-sporty silhouette and striking contemporary style brought Starfire the "Best Exterior Styling" award.

A 219 GT vessel, Starfire offers the generous accommodation of a superyacht with a five-cabin layout plus crew quarters. Up to ten guests can be welcomed onboard along with a five-member crew. The master bedroom on the main deck uses large windows and precious materials to create a luxurious ambiance.

It includes an intimate reading or relaxation nook with gorgeous views, as well as a walk-through wardrobe. Style-wise, the neutral color palette highlighted by the ceiling's dark panels reflects a contemporary, glamorous approach.

The master bedroom was placed strategically in order to maximize views while minimizing noise. It feels like a cozy yet sumptuous cocoon with full privacy and a seamless connection to the water. The other four cabins, all with en-suite bathrooms and the same glamorous décor, are located on the lower deck.

Starfire's main salon is truly spectacular for a yacht this size. It's surrounded by enormous windows for amazing 360-degree views throughout. The effect is similar to that of a skyscraper, where you feel immersed in the panoramic vistas.

A huge L-shaped sofa offers the most comfortable way to take in these views. Nearby, the formal dining area flaunts a large glass table. The black leather seats match the dark-panel ceilings, creating the same contemporary, high-luxury ambiance.

The large jacuzzi on the foredeck is another great way to connect with the outdoors while cruising onboard Starfire. Unlike larger superyachts that typically place it on the sundeck, Starfire brings it closer to the water level for another type of immersive experience. At the same time, guests have access to multiple sun lounging and al-fresco dining areas.

Starfire looks and feels amazing, without a doubt. Yet, like any Riva boat, it focuses just as much on performance. Powered by twin MTU engines, the Riva 110' Dolcevita can officially go as fast as 26 knots (30 mph/48 kph). Although perfectly equipped for a smooth, pleasant ride even at such high speed, it would end up burning huge amounts of fuel – more than 1,000 liters (264 gallons) per hour.

Opting for economical cruising would still get you remarkable speed levels of almost 18 knots (20.7 mph/33.3 kph) while dropping fuel consumption to less than half. A hull speed or displacement speed mode at 1,000 rpm will only need about 90 liters (23.7 gallons) for both engines, propelling the 123-footer somewhere around 10 knots (11.5 mph/18.5 kph).

Someone who can afford to spend nearly $17 million on a pleasure craft might become Starfire's next lucky owner. The Riva flagship is currently up for grabs and can be admired up close in Palm Beach, Florida.