This speedboat is the Ferrari of the seas (because it’s made by Ferrari)

Take this horse to water and it’ll gallop through the waves

Ferrari has long been a byword for the best. The nicest watch? It’s the Ferrari of wristwear. The most luxurious private jet? The Ferrari of planes. You get the picture.

But with speedboats, it’s a little bit different. Because there actually is a Ferrari of speedboats – and it’s called the Riva Ferrari 32.

As you might expect, it’s fast, luxurious and properly rare. And RM Sotheby’s is auctioning one this month. Interested? Here’s everything you need to know.

Badge of fame and finesse

Ferrari is a marque that needs no introduction. It’s as iconic as car firms come and its rarest models regularly fetch millions at auction, as much for their badge as for their blend of luxury and performance.

Master of its craft

What about Riva? It’s an Italian yachtbuilder, founded in 1842 and long known for the quality and style of its craft. It is, in many ways, the Ferrari of boatmakers.

Incredible combo

Little wonder, then, that when the two companies decided to team up and create something together, the result was nothing short of spectacular.

The work of many hands

The scheme was dreamt up by Enzo Ferrari and Riva chairman Gino Gervasoni in the late ’80s, and saw the firms’ engineers work side-by-side to craft a speedboat worthy of the two famous brands.

Water-borne beauty

And it worked: the Riva Ferrari 32 is a truly stunning vessel, offering that famed Riva craftsmanship and fearsome Ferrari performance.

Nose and foot

That number in the name represents the craft’s length in feet – 32 – and it’s certainly an imposing thing, with its sharp, aerodynamic nose angling out of the water.

Fabled inspiration

While the hull lines are distinctly Riva, there’s no mistaking the inspiration for those side strake air intakes: the fabled Ferrari Testarossa.

Racing pedigree

Similarly, the gantry above the pilot features a carbonfibre spoiler that’s oh-so-Formula 1, and even the Rosso Corsa paint job brings to mind Ferrari’s race teams.

Power couple

Powering the craft is a pair of vast, 8-litre Vulcano V8 engines, each good for a staggering 390bhp – and nothing if not thirsty.

Zero to 62

And those motors give the 32 performance that’s truly fit for a Ferrari, capable of propelling the water horse to 54 knots – or 62mph to landlubbers.

No need to stand

If the speed leaves you weak at the knees? No problem: the 32 can be piloted either seated or standing, thanks to a pair of pews with foldaway bases.

Room in the back

Aft of the captain there’s a bench fit for three, ideal for entertaining passengers as you cruise through Venice. Best not go full throttle, mind: champagne and choppy water isn’t a great combination.

Bunk down on-board

Below decks, there’s a berth big enough for two, storage space and a compact toilet – though you’d surely be crashing in your penthouse pad rather than bunking down in the Monaco harbour…

Special breed

It’s truly a thing of beauty, a stunning blend of Riva build quality and Ferrari power, carving the waves like an F40 carves asphalt.

Tough to unlock

Want the keys to one? Just 40 were built in total, which means they were exclusive even when new – and hardly ever come up for sale today.

No common model

This example is number 28 of those 40. It was finished in 1990 and its sale with RM Sotheby’s represents an unusual opportunity to own this rarest of speedboats.

As good as they come

And this one is in incredible condition, having been barely used in anger and treated to a full engine service in 2015.

Big-money boat

Of course, you’ll have to pay a hefty sum for the privilege: RM Sotheby’s expects the Riva Ferrari 32 to go full throttle and fetch between £68k and £90k ($90-120k) at its Fort Lauderdale sale on 29 March.

Trade in your Testarossa

That’s roughly the same price as a decent Testarossa – but, really, did you expect anything less for the Ferrari of speedboats?