One of Riviera's Most Highly Customised Projects
Riviera 52 Flybridge
One of Riviera’s Most Highly Customised Projects
In 2020, Riviera’s Aftermarket team completed one of the most highly customised projects in its history on a 52 Enclosed Flybridge (EF). “Experts think this is the most customised fishing boat in the world at this size,” states Singularity’s captain Yury Istomin. “I had two parameters: to have the best fishing boat in the world and to be able to captain it myself.” To make it happen, Yury had a wish list of more than 100 items to be included in the 52 EF.
“The Aftermarket team was brilliant – brilliant,” says Yury, who is based in Monaco.
One might expect new rod holders and bait tanks for a customised fishing boat, but his experience in the Mediterranean gave Yury the knowledge to be more exacting in his desires.
Captain Yuri Istomin adjusts the lines aboard his highly customised Riviera 52 Enclosed Flybridge
In the luxury flybridge, an aft helm was installed to starboard, new electronics installed in a customised overhead dash, plus breezeway covers fitted to the windscreen, port and starboard windows. The exterior refit included through-hull sonar, a custom water-jet system and extra underwater lights as bait fish attractants. Yury’s most significant addition was converting the foredeck to a very desirable area to fish: a storage-cum-sun lounger, and custom diameter bow rails that go around the bow sprit and encircle a spotting station – all fitted with padded bolsters.
“These are probably my two favourite things on the boat. Historically, the foredeck is an area that is rarely used to fish from. A team of designers in Monaco created the boat in 3D, with all new options including the custom bow rails. We also put soft support on the rails to lean against so that it’s very comfortable for fishing. And the adjustable sun lounge makes it a pleasure to be there. Now the foredeck is a place for fishing.”
Situated in south-eastern France on the French Riviera (or Côte d’Azur), Monaco’s relatively mild climate accommodates year-round use of Singularity.
“The 52 is a comfortable size for me to drive at the moment,” says Yury. “This is also a very good size in the Mediterranean for fishing – it’s probably the maximum size for inshore fishing, and for offshore fishing in Corsica and Sardinia it is very good.”
“The most popular fishing here is for tuna. It’s also very interesting fishing deep for swordfish to 500 metres with an electric reel. Or we try to catch conger eels, grouper and big squid, or smaller fish like red snapper.”