Europe's first 4600 Sport Yacht Platinum Edition launches on the River Rhine
by Riviera Australia 2 May 2024 01:29 PDT
Frank Schließas named his motor yacht Heike in honour of his wife … “a dream boat, for a dream woman” © Riviera Australia
German owners Frank and Heike Schließas know that buying Europe's first Riviera 4600 Sport Yacht Platinum Edition is one of the best decisions they've made.
As Heike glides along the River Rhine, past charming fishing villages and hillside castles, her German owners Frank and Heike Schließas smile contently knowing that buying Europe's first Riviera 4600 Sport Yacht Platinum Edition is one of the best decisions they've made.
"No other motor yacht could fulfil the criteria we wanted. The shape and appearance, the workmanship and quality of the materials used is very high," Frank says. The world-class 4600 SY boasts blue water prowess to withstand the North Sea, easy-to-use technology for tight lock systems, and brings a sleek style to any European port - not to mention superior appointments and luxury amenities. "So, we named her Heike...a dream boat for a dream woman, my wife!" Frank adds.
In July 2023, Heike arrived at her home port in Rees on the River Rhine on the eastern edge of Germany. Rees is the oldest German town on the lower Rhine and, to this day, most of its late-medieval city walls and watchtowers are preserved. The seven-month boating season from mid-March to the end of October offers myriad options including rivers through Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands; the North and Baltic Seas. "We are moored on the Rhine, which merges into the river Waal and are therefore already in Holland. We can also cross the [Dutch] river Ijssel into Lake Ijssel," Frank says. This closed-off inland bay in the central Netherlands takes them into the North Sea. Another option is to cross the Maas River towards the North Sea.
Like life in Europe, boating is a cultural experience. The Rhine, which is Europe's longest river after the Danube, marked much of the Roman Empire's northern inland boundary and has been a vital waterway bringing trade and goods deep into the continent ever since. Castles and defence systems dot the watercourse along the Rhine as you pass through Rotterdam and Düsseldorf and nearby cities to Heike's home port.
Frank and Heike's first summer aboard was indeed a pleasure. "No matter where we went with our new Riviera, people marvelled at her and found enormous enthusiasm," Frank says. "We've enjoyed the more spacious layout than we had on our previous boats. Three staterooms instead of two makes our stay more pleasant. Harbour life is better than before, as the living space is all on the upper deck. We've stopped at places that appeal to us, taken strolls through towns and gone sightseeing. We've enjoyed a cup of coffee here and there, but we usually eat on board, as we can participate more in harbour life and observe the people around us," they add.
After their first season, the couple say the transition to a Riviera has been simple. "We first had to learn to appreciate the size and, above all, the width. However, the technology and electronics installed are impressive and make this easy. Before Heike arrived, we used a computer game joystick to practise operating with our left hand, as we only know how to steer using the starboard side. Driving was simple and easy once we were used to the helm position on the port side."
The Schließases are no strangers to boating, having owned motor yachts since 1997. They discovered Riviera through a friend who highly recommended the Bestboats dealership. By June 2022 they'd placed their order for the 4600 SY and spent the next year being updated with weekly photos of its splendid construction. "All the promises we received from Bestboats and Riviera were kept to our complete satisfaction and the handover really could not have been surpassed."
Having owned various motor yachts, the couple wanted specific customisations. "We had a bow thruster installed. This provides additional support in the locks and when mooring, as well as when entering the box berths. We also had a Webasto heater installed, as we also experience cool temperatures and still want to use the yacht. We opted for the dynamic positioning system for safety reasons. We also had teak laid on the boarding platform. This gives the yacht a special touch."
At the end of the season, Heike is prepared for hibernation. "We cover the yacht with a winter tarpaulin and the yacht can remain in the water or is winterised on land (rampart) or indoors. The engine cooling systems, freshwater tank and pipes as well as the holding tank are filled with antifreeze. The tanks and pipes are of course drained beforehand."
As for the upcoming European summer, the Schließases intend to travel further afield. "We hope to be able to use our yacht even more this season and want to explore Holland or the islands in the North Sea."