Rio Daytona 46: the elegant 16m walkaround

What is the boat of the moment? Of course, there is no single answer, it all depends on what you have in mind when you decide to buy a boat. For those who want to enjoy the summer on the sea, however, there is one answer: the walkaround. A category of boat that ranges in size and type of owner.

One successful example, which reconciles outdoor living with outstanding performance and a remarkable interior, is the new Rio Daytona 46 from Rio Yachts. This 15-metre yacht is a versatile walkaround capable of meeting a variety of needs on board. Folding terraces? Outboard? Livability inside and out? The choice is yours. Let’s climb aboard this motor yacht and see what it looks like.

Rio Daytona 46

Rio Daytona 46 is the flagship of the Rio Yachts Open range.

“Our Daytona range consists of open, functional and sports boats – explains Piergiorgio Scarani, owner of the historic Italian shipyard – They’re all walkaround, with special focus on outdoor spaces and dynamic performance”.

Rio Daytona 46 – Exterior

What is appreciated first and foremost on board by those who buy this boat is the deck layout. It is not only the presence of large sundecks, but also of safe walkways with adequate space. At the same time, the bimini top is a valuable ally during the day on the water. The 15-metre segment is a very competitive one in which many boatyards have consolidated their presence for some time now. The new Daytona 46 comes into this segment with a few aces up its sleeve:

“What sets us apart is a sporty, sleek design,” continues Piergiorgio Scarani, “combined with good standard equipment. The goal? A boat that is practical and comfortable without losing aesthetic appeal.”

The stern platform, which is also available with outboards, provides the possibility of having a tenderlift. At the same time, a trend which is now very much in vogue on this size, the owner can install two folding terraces in the side which increase the surface area available and give a feeling of space worthy of a larger boat.

The cockpit table is retractable and can seat up to six people. In the central part we find an “open air” galley that divides the cockpit from the driving area with a sporty bimini on top on two supports. The addition of a bimini sheet and two Arabian sheets at the bow and stern allows for the management of sun and shade. In the bow we find a double sofa set against the sun deck on the deckhouse. The windscreen wraps around the helm station, protecting it from the wind but always ensuring good visibility.

Rio Daytona 46 – Interior

As we’ ve seen, the focus is on outdoor spaces, but this 15-metre yacht is also suitable for short cruises. Inside there’s a full beam cabin, very bright, which thanks to a sliding door can be transformed from open space into an intimate cabin. There is also a head with a separate shower and a second aft cabin with a double bed and a third bed.

Rio Daytona 46 – Performance at sea

Having seen the layout, let’s see how this 15-metre yacht cruises. Let’s take the outboard version with a total of 1,050hp and three 350hp Mercury Verados. Top speed in this case is 38 knots with the engines running at 6,400 rpm and an hourly consumption of 116 litres. This is the “maximum” available, but a yachtsman usually chooses lower cruising speeds. Consider that at 30 knots (with the engines at around 5,400) the average consumption per hour is around 67 litres.

“We will soon be presenting the DAYTONA M,” concludes Piergiorgio Scarani, “a 13-metre yacht that will bridge the gap between the two. We have several customers interested in buying it, so it will certainly be a very interesting vessel.”

Rio Daytona 46 – Price

The starting price of the new Rio Daytona 46 is €525,000 (excluding VAT).

Rio Daytona 46 – Technical Specs