Craftsmanship, design and unmatchable quality have been the hallmarks of Riva since the company’s founding in 1842 in Sarnico, Italy, one of Italy’s great boat-building centers. It’s there that Pietro Riva built his first “Riva,” known for quality craftsmanship and performance ahead of its time. By the 1930s, the business was managed by Pietro’s grandson, Serafino, under whose guidance the company became known for manufacturing small racing boats, which Serafino himself raced. Not content to remain in this niche, the Riva family increased its line to include boats built as much for pleasure as for speed. By the 1950s, the Riva name, under the leadership of Pietro’s grandson, Carlo, Riva became a symbol of quality, elegance, speed and, most notably, wealth. As a result, Riva gained worldwide fame as the luxury boat of choice for kings and queens, matinee idols, corporate titans, entrepreneurs and jet-setters worldwide

Baby Bootlegger 1924 – Gold Cup Racer

Baby Bootlegger is perhaps the most beautiful wooden boat ever built. She was designed by George Crouch and built by the Henry B. Nevins yard in City Island, NY for Wall Street bachelor, Caleb Bragg. Caleb Bragg was an ultimate sportsman, as the 70th licensed pilot in America, he pioneered speed records in the air and on land before turning to the water. After coming in second place overall, Baby Bootlegger won the 1924 Gold Cup race on a technicality, however, took home all the wins at the 1925 races on Long Island. Her Hispano Suiza aircraft engine was state of the art. She is the epitome of all speedboats.