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What is the queen characteristic of an engine? Certainly, that it consumes little fuel is very important, but more importantly, when you are moving away from the coast, perhaps in less traveled waters, it is simply critical that it never stops. And what better test for reliability than a long and challenging sea raid?
Sponsored by the Club del Gommone of Milan, Missione Olimpia is a non-competitive nautical raid that runs from the Marina of Varazze, to Greece, and then back to Liguria itself. The departure took place on April 12, and the journey, which wound its way around the Mediterranean, lasted a good 50 days! An incredible test of endurance for the crews (27 members in all) and the vehicle, but the ‘goal of this event is to show that, with the right preparation and equipment, sailing, even offshore, is within everyone’s reach.
The protagonists of this feat, in addition, of course, to the crews who took turns, are the Nuova Jolly Prince 27 dinghy and the Suzuki DF300BMD outboard motor.
The dinghy that crossed the entire Mediterranean, christened “Barbarossa,” is the Prince 27: 8.45 m long by 3.10 wide. Not only distance but also challenging conditions: the formed seas as far as Malta, the violent rains encountered on the way to Skiathos, winds up to force 5/6 on the Beaufort scale in the Aegean. From this point of view, the New Jolly hull, which we have tested several times, proves to be a benchmark in solidity and seaworthiness.
And on such a long road – as many as 3903 nautical miles – not only difficult conditions, but also many extremely fascinating stages : the‘arrival in Olympia, accompanied by the carrying of the Olympic flag, or the passage through the newly reopened Corinth Canal. Then off to explore the exploration of the Dodecanese islands as far as Kastellorizo, and the impressive crossing of the Cyclades. On the Italian side, the raid touched on places of great scenic appeal such as Lipari, Ponza, Giglio and Elba.
But of course, if we are talking about endurance qualities, the real beating heart of the whole expedition can only be the engine, in this case the Suzuki DF300BMD outboard. Dual Prop counter-rotating propeller transmission, digitized control system with integrated steering, highest compression ratio in its class, self-tensioning oil-bath belt that eliminates the need for maintenance: we know the Suzuki technologies, but it is these field tests that show their true effectiveness. The fuel consumption figures, taken on such a wide average, are also very interesting: 1.45 liters per mile at 23 knots and 3,500 rpm; 1.65 liters/mile at 28 knots and 4,200 rpm; all the way up to 1.80 liters/mile at 32 knots and 4,500 rpm.
Testifying to these performances, Virginio Gandini, president of the Milan Inflatable Boat Club, which organized the event, wanted to emphasize how this long sailing, a true test of seafaring endurance and expertise, was made possible by the reliability and excellent technology offered by the Suzuki outboard, a longtime partner of the Club’s initiatives.
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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
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
Mark it in your diary: the fourth edition of the National Summit on the Sea Economy “Blue Forum,” entitled “Creating Value – the Sea in the Year of Jubilee, “ is scheduled to take place in Rome July 9-11, 2025.
At sea with top technology. Did you know that there is an American company that has eliminated the problem of tanks on board? With a buoyant system and a simple hose you can dive up to 5 or 10 meters
Send us your sea photos and enter history with us! Your pictures will be featured on our “bulletin board” immediately.
