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Wooden Boat USA

Riviera 17 Ft. Custom Built Replica Boat

Riviera 17 Ft. Custom Built Replica Boat

Regular price $22,350.00 USD
Regular price $22,350.00 USD Sale price $22,350.00 USD
Sale Sold out
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Description

The Riviera 17' is a timeless recreational runabout inspired by the relaxed elegance of mid-twentieth-century pleasure boating. Designed for comfort, social cruising, and effortless enjoyment, it is perfectly suited for calm lakes and protected coastal waters. Its open-cockpit layout and classic mahogany styling reflect an era when boating was centered on leisure and refined simplicity.

Each Riviera 17' is handcrafted in our workshop using premium Western Red Cedar, Mahogany, Teak, and US-made Hexcel fiberglass, sealed with System Three marine spar varnish. Built using traditional plank-on-frame construction and reinforced with modern marine materials, every project is completed with careful attention to detail over approximately 4–5 months.

Customization options include hull scale, wood selection, deck layout, interior finishes, seating configuration, and personalized details. Every build preserves the graceful proportions and timeless character that define this classic design.

The Riviera 17' features a well-balanced hull with clean, sporty lines reminiscent of 1930s–1940s mahogany runabouts. Smooth handling, stable performance, and finely finished wooden decks create a composed and confident ride, making it ideal for family outings, leisure cruising, and light watersports.

Basic Dimensions

  • Length Overall (LOA): 17 ft (approximately 204 in)

  • Maximum Beam: 7 ft 4 in (approximately 88 in)

Capacity & Power

  • Seating Capacity: Up to 6 passengers

  • Recommended Maximum Power: Up to 225 HP (when built with proper structural reinforcement and weight distribution)

Typical Use & Character

Classic open-cockpit runabout with sporty proportions and timeless mahogany aesthetics, designed for relaxed recreational boating.

Every wooden boat we build is crafted from classic wooden boat plans, with full credit to the original designers. Each commission is constructed to order and available as a full-size vessel or a finely detailed scale model.

Contact Us

Contact us today to begin your custom Riviera 17' build.

Note

  • Pricing starts at $20,000 for the wooden hull only (motor, hardware, and shipping not included).

History

The Riviera 17' represents the optimism and refined lifestyle of mid-century recreational boating. Created for everyday enjoyment rather than competition, it emphasized comfort, reliability, and understated elegance.

Its compact size offers easy maneuverability while maintaining balanced performance and visual appeal. As boating culture expanded, the Riviera 17' became associated with relaxed weekends on quiet waters, symbolizing tasteful design and accessible luxury.

Today, this classic runabout continues to attract collectors and enthusiasts who value timeless craftsmanship, graceful styling, and the enduring pleasure of leisure boating.

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What makes our wooden boats so unique and special? 

Hundreds of hours go into the construction of our boats, as perfection is the only options.

- ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLY: We use only certified top-grade, hand-selected wood such as Canadian red cedar, mahogany, rosewood, teak and more. 

- THE ART OF CRAFTSMANSHIP: Merging centuries-old customs with technological innovation, we bring you boats that excel in every categories. 

- IN-HOUSE QUALITY CONTROL: Each of our wooden boats goes through a demand quality control process including in water testing before leaving the workshop.

 

About Woodenboat USA™

The story of time-honored traditions of boat building. 

More than just watercraft, our wooden boats, kayaks and canoes represent connections to a legacy of craftsmanship and old world techniques. Woodenboat USA is invested in the type of construction that recalls generations of boat making. Over thirty years in business, our commitment has always been and will continue to be, to excellence, to tradition and to creating products that you can enjoy both for their performance and incredible beauty.

Inspired by history, the names of our watercraft are derived from the northern waterways where natives and settlers have used them for centuries. Merging centuries-old customs with improvements in technology, we bring you boats that excel in every category.

Beginning with pliable, high quality Canadian cedar and hardwood, our craftsmen hand join each individual strip. Hundreds of hours go into the construction of our boats, as perfection is the only option. Once built, the piece is encapsulated in fiberglass epoxy resin adding an extra layer of durability and strength. At last, the water craft is ready for its nautical debut.

FAQ's

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What are your canoes and kayaks made of?

Our canoes and kayaks are made of the highest quality western red cedar and some hardwoods. The larger boats are made of western red cedar, pine, and hardwoods such as oak, mahogany, teak, and some locally available woods. Our wooden watercraft are then coated both inside and out in an incredibly durable American made fiberglass and epoxy resin.

You mentioned that you use fiberglass in your boats, so what is the difference between your boats and fiberglass boats?

We only use 1 or 2 clear thin layers of fiberglass coating on top of the wood for reinforcement and added integrity. You never see any fiberglass, only beautiful, hand-joined cedar and hardwoods.

What is a typical cedar strip canoe or kayak weight?

A 15’ kayak weighs approximately 45lbs, making it very easy for one person to carry. A 16’ canoe weighs about 48lbs.

What type of boats do you build?

Our wooden strip canoes and kayaks are hugely popular for touring and recreational purposes. We also build wooden dinghies, wooden sail boats, classic wooden runabouts, and speedboats. Additionally, we can custom-build any design with which you supply us.

What methods do you use to build the boats?

Focused on integrating traditional technique with modern design, all boats are built by hand, typically taking hundreds of man hours to create.

How do I order?

Please contact our dealers or call (877) 88 Boats for more information.

How long does an order take?

Boats that we have in stock can be shipped to you within a week). New or custom products generally take 2-3 months as everything we sell is 100% hand crafted.

How do you ship it?

We can ship via trucking company very safely. We also insure all freight so in the very rare case that a shipment is damaged during transit, we will take care of the details and immediately replace the item for you. We also have distributors all over the world, so please contact us to find out more information.

How do I become a distributor of your products?

We welcome qualified dealers and distributors all over the world. Please contact us today at (877) 88 Boats or email us at info@woodenboatusa.com for more information.

What kind of warranty can I expect?

For all products we offer a 6 month limited warranty on materials and craftsmanship.

Guidelines for use

CARE:

With a little bit of care and maintenance, your beautiful canoe can last for generations. While our products are certainly durable and solid, they still require the right type of care and handling to ensure that they perform optimally.

  • It is recommended that you rinse your canoe off with fresh clean water after every use.
  • Upon returning from the trip, allow your canoe to air-dry in the shade.

STORAGE:

Besides taking care of your canoe, storage also plays an essential role in maintaining your canoe’s appearance and beauty.

  • Always store your wooden canoe in shade.
  • Turn it upside down on the support thereby keeping it off the ground.
  • Hanging your boat from the rafters in your garage or shop would be ideal storage.

REPAIR:

Minor scratches can be repaired by marine spar vanish or some brand of automobile wax. Smooth the damaged area with sand paper, wipe clean, then apply marine spar vanish.

SAFETY:

Wooden Boat USA strongly recommends that a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) is worn whenever paddling.

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