1996. From Genoa to London by rubber dinghy: Claudio Rizzo recounts his journey

Welcome to the special section “BAM 35 Years.” We are presenting “cult” articles from the Motor Boats archive, starting in 1990. A journey through time among stories unobtainable today, even in the great sea of the internet! A dive into the world of epic moments in motor boating. We begin with one of the stories we were most passionate about.

Tricks Up Their Sleeves

From *Barche a Motore*, 1996, No. 1, February, p. 34-37.

Genoa to London via Paris by rubber boat. The logbook of an exciting inflatable boat trip from Italy to England, through rivers and canals, past locks and swing bridges, and across the English Channel. If you love adventure and are experienced inflatable boaters, here’s an original idea for your next vacation.

In recent years, inflatable boats have undergone a transformation: until recently, they were used primarily as tenders for medium- and large-sized boats or, at most, as casual, low-maintenance vessels for a swim offshore or a trip along the coast. Among their most obvious advantages are their affordable price and low maintenance requirements. Today, user demand for models with increasingly sophisticated features and technology requires manufacturers to constantly innovate and, consequently, conduct more rigorous testing. Claudio Rizzo began ten years ago, by foundingthe Adventure Club Gommorizzo, to organize motorboat expeditions in inflatable boats, thereby discovering a new way to have fun using inflatable boats while also testing the models built at his shipyard, which are put through their paces in challenging weather and navigation conditions. The Club’s latest feat, accomplished last spring, was the Genoa–Paris–London expedition. Here are the most interesting highlights, from Claudio Rizzo’s own logbook.

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The Icona 70 is here. This new yacht has a stern measuring 40 square meters.

April 1995, Genoa-London Raid. It was the first International Motorboat Raid undertaken with such a strong desire for adventure, yet with very specific goals: to push ourselves to the limit while simultaneously testing two new hull designs, some innovative equipment configurations, and various technologies. That first raid was by far the toughest and most challenging. We tackled it with outdated 25-horsepower engines, makeshift gear, and plenty of enthusiasm. The weather was terrible, and we faced a veritable barrage of mechanical breakdowns. We managed to complete the journey in 16 days. Inspired by that feat, the following year we organized the Venice-Istanbul expedition, where we tested four 5.70-meter prototypes, again with the dual purpose of gaining new experiences and developing technologies. All of this has become a hallmark ofthe Gommorizzo Adventure Club, and with various crews taking turns, one adventure after another, we’ve arrived at the present day. Finding ever-new and uncharted routes is no small feat, especially since, every August, we’ve been organizing a vacation expedition for years now that involves entire families. In the winter of 1994, during an evening at the Club in front of the usual fireplace, someone suggested repeating the second edition of the Genoa-London raid after a ten-year hiatus, thereby comparing experiences, boats, technologies, engines, and so on. No sooner said than done: on April 22, 1995, thanks to several sponsors, a contribution from the Liguria region, and a per-person fee, we managed to cover the expected expenses and set off from Lavagna for the second edition of the Genoa-London raid. On April 21, we launched the three inflatable boats in Lavagna and stowed all the necessary logistical supplies in the various storage compartments. Of course, we brought all the fuel needed for the entire journey; our sponsor, Tamoil, provided us with several 1-kg cans and a few 5-kg containers to optimize stowage. The Tripede electric scooter found its place in the storage compartment between the additional bow bench and the steering console; luggage and provisions were stowed in the various benches, while the new soft fabric auxiliary fuel tanks will remain out of sight. Preparations continued into the evening; tired but excited, we celebrated in the hotel lounge with journalists and officials. On the morning of our departure, a crowd of friends and onlookers awaits us, along with a RAI film crew, an interview for Radio Italia’s news program, and… lots and lots of rain.

12:00 p.m.: The adventure begins; pouring rain, rough seas, poor visibility. We set a direct course for Imperia, where we plan to fill up completely—partly because gas in France costs 300 lire more per liter. The Imperia Mare organizers provide us with 800 liters of gas despite the station being closed. We resume our voyage with Luca Alfieri (our onboard cameraman on the 670) fuming: the lack of light and the pouring rain are preventing him from filming. Despite the adverse conditions, the voyage goes quickly, and we stop for a layover at the Port of St. Raphael. By now it’s eight in the evening, and we’re pretty hungry and cold. The hotel and the organization were excellent, and the meal was good too—but what prices! We could make out a few stars here and there, so we went to bed hoping for a bright tomorrow… Instead, when we set out in the morning, we’re met with rain and wind—in short, we’re right in the middle of a storm. Given the poor visibility, the Navionics chart-based GPS proved very useful, allowing us to navigate precisely and optimize our routes. We continue sailing on the choppy sea, with winds shifting from the first to the second quadrant and back again. Upon reaching the entrance to the Gulf of Marseille, we decide to head directly into the Rhône—partly because the wind turns into a Mistral at that point, so it would be completely pointless to sail around the gulf. We struggled to enter the river; the mouth was full of shoals, the current was violent, and the water was muddy and full of debris. Experience is crucial in situations like this. We sail down the Rhône at breakneck speed against a headwind and in freezing rain. We arrive in Arles with aching arms and legs from the cold. The small hotel with its attached restaurant seems sumptuous and inviting. On the morning of the third day, a major disappointment awaits us. Upon reaching the first lock, the manager—despite our insistence and after several phone calls to Paris—remains unyielding. The Rhône is in flood. Two flood waves are expected, so navigation is prohibited.

Given the terrible weather conditions and the equally poor forecast, we mobilized our Milan Club, which—with the help of two members from our Florence Club who traveled all night—arrived the following morning with three cars and three trailers. We launched the inflatable boats and crossed the stretch of river and the unnavigable canals. River navigation, contrary to what one might imagine, is very challenging during a raid; in fact, there are many unknowns: floating and partially submerged logs, lock opening hours that vary from section to section, difficult resupply points, and dozens of locks of various shapes, heights, and sizes. In practice, it’s all very functional—but only for professional navigation. The journey along the canals offers unique thrills and experiences, especially when undertaken over six days of continuous rain. Yes, it’s navigation, but a navigation interrupted by locks, which therefore gives you plenty of time to reflect on and assess your limits and abilities; you have time to talk, exchange opinions, and form judgments and assessments of your fellow adventurers; you can see landscapes and have once-in-a-lifetime experiences, such as traveling through a 5-kilometer underground waterway (you pass through a tunnel carved into the mountain). A whole book wouldn’t be enough to describe the emotions you experience on a raid like this; a section would certainly have to be dedicated to Paris, but perhaps it’s enough to fill a nice chapter in that book you carry inside you. Once we arrived in Calais, to pass under some swing bridges, we flooded the bilges, partially deflated the tubes, removed the roll bars (luckily they’re removable), and secured the inflatable boats with lashing straps. The crossing from Calais to Dover is about 30 miles. A pale sun brightens the day, but the sea shows no letup—long cross-swells, short head-on waves, and unsettled weather. Once we reached Dover, we headed up the coast and finally entered the great funnel leading to the Thames. The estuary all the way to the outskirts of London is dotted with refineries and factories. Then, finally, London, with its bridges, bell towers, and the air of an old-fashioned lady—a bit out of style, but with so much personality. There are many ways to get to London from Italy; we chose the most unusual one, but we’re certain it was worth it.

by Claudio Rizzo

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