The Riva Super Aquarama. The original Italian supermodel.
Perhaps the most famous of all Rivas, the Aquarama is recognized universally as the ultimate display of beauty, craftsmanship and performance. Only 203 Super Aquaramas were originally built, making this particular boat one of the rarest Rivas in the world. 
Known as NATO, a nickname of the daughter of the current owner, it was originally ordered as a Super Aquarama which meant the most advanced series 3 hull design Riva had at the time, with the deeper V and the bigger Super Aquarama sized hull. NATO is one of the biggest, best riding, fastest Rivas ever built. 
The original owner was a true devotee, having owned a 1962 Tritone, and a 1964 Aquarama with flush aft deck (Super Tritone). Imported from Europe in 1982, NATO (nee Bounty V, then Nandi II, then Water Bug of Lake Tahoe) spent her first US years at Lake Tahoe. Five short years ago she came into our care, and beginning three winters ago, has undergone a preservation/restoration plan. We stripped her to bare wood, repaired hull seams and prepped the bottom, and brought the finish back to its original top standard. The result is truly stunning.
And even among Super Aquaramas, NATO is unique. 
Instead of the recessed “playpen” sundeck aft of the cockpit, NATO was originally ordered with solid mahogany decks over the engines (with hatches for access) and hatches behind the engine compartment for storage. 
NATO is equipped with her original twin 427 cubic inch, 320 horsepower Chevrolet based Riva/Crusader V-8 engines, which have undergone complete Mahogany Bay restorations, along with the original Riva/VDO instruments. In other words, she’s as powerful as she is beautiful. She was also equipped by a previous owner with red Bugatti leather (still on the boat) that distinguishes it from all others. A sun canopy, ventilating skylights, convertible top, boarding ladder, stanchions and the special Riva V-berth area give NATO comforts and practicality. She now resides on Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota where she is proudly stored and cared for by Mahogany Bay.
