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Stern View of the beautifully restored RIVIERA II

Riviera II

Vessel numberHV000777

Vessel Registration NumberHHQ059

Builder Hammond Craft

Vessel type Clinker Speedboats

Date1959

DimensionsVessel Dimensions: 6.5 m × 6 m × 2 m × 0.5 m (21.33 ft × 19.69 ft × 6.56 ft × 1.64 ft)

DescriptionRIVIERA II was built from mahogany plywood as a clinker planked hull, and it has over 1,500 copper rove fasteners used in its construction. The ten coats of polyurethane ensured an excellent finish, while the internal ribbing and planking were coated with substantial resin, therefore giving the boat a fantastic seal. RIVIERA II was fitted with a 327-cu in. V8, providing plenty of power, combined with a new Haynes V Drive water cooled gearbox; 125 litre fuel tank; a specially made ski pole with six independent free-wheeling turnbuckles and an inflatable prototype rubber bladder fitted in the bow to make the boat unsinkable. RIVIERA II was initially registered in Sydney as SY218.

RIVIERA II is believed to have been a prototype for Hammond, showing several innovations that lead to the evolution of present day ski boat technology. Original fixtures and fittings on RIVERIA II include:

• The original Haynes V drive water-cooled gearbox. The only one known to exist.
• Rear special exhaust manifold with rubber flap to stop water entering manifold. (Invented by Harry Hammond)
• Ford Prefect steering box under the bow with full length brass steering rods front to back for operation of the rudder and steering
• Jaguar Racing split windscreen, as used in early model race cars such as Jack Brabham racing
• A centre mount fuel filler pipe with chromed press down lock
• Exhaust mufflers with rubber flaps to stop water ingress.
• A rubber bladder under the foredeck at the bow for buoyancy if swamped
• The original dashboard, dials and steering wheel
• Original chrome registration numbers port and starboard (and original registration papers)

RIVIERA II is a sister craft to MISS AUSTRALIA another of Harry Hammond’s builds which was restored by his son Mark Hammond a few years ago.

RIVIERA II was found water-logged with only a small portion of the bow protruding above the water (thanks to the above mentioned rubber bladder) in the Murray River in 2009. The vessel was salvaged from its watery grave full of mud, given a rough clean and sold via the internet to a new owner near Childers in Queensland. Subsequently it was re-sold to its current owners. Their restoration of this fine example of Harry Hammond’s skill as a master boat builder has now been completed, including all of the items noted above. The bladder remains up forward, and is thought to still contain air from 1959.

With many of RIVIERA II'S original fittings still in place, the vessel is now powered by a fully reconditioned crate motor from the USA, a 350 Chevy 5.7 litre V8 capable of driving the vessel at up to 50 knots. To honour Harry Hammond, RIVIERA II's new registration number (call sign) is HHQ-059 (Harry Hammond Queensland 1959).

SignificanceRIVIERA II is a timber clinker speed boat built in 1959 by Harry Hammond of Brookvale Sydney, NSW. RIVIERA 11 is one of the earliest known survivors of Harry Hammond’s modest output over the 1950s through to the 1980s. He tried some innovations and different fittings on this boat and used them in subsequent craft. This is understood to have been his favourite craft and is considered a prototype for the output of craft that continued through the 1960s, all carrying the features used on RIVIERA II.