Riva’s long history began in 1842 on the shores of Lake Iseo in Sarnico, Italy. Pietro Riva, a young shipbuilder and craftsman who had just moved to the area, won the hearts of the locals when he repaired or rebuilt many fishing boats after a devastating storm. From there, the Riva legend has only grown. Over the next century, the yard remained a family-run business, passing from father to son until it fell into the hands of Carlo Riva in the 1950s. The company had already established itself as a leading builder for elegant, high-quality pleasure crafts and Riva boats were owned by many notable names in politics and entertainment. Riva yachts from this era can still be found today, kept as collectibles and heirlooms.