Not just boats and engines, the Miami Boat Show is mostly about people. One, in particular, came from Italy to launch a new challenge. We’re talking about Sergio Davì who, with a 11-metre Nuova Jolly 38cc inflatable boat powered by two Suzuki DF350A outboards, will sail 7,000 nautical miles (12964 km) between Sicily, the Balearic Islands, Spain, Portugal, France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Faeroe Islands, Iceland, Greenland, Canada and the USA.
A rib in the ice, that of the Palermo rubber man who will challenge the Mediterranean and the Ocean on a rib, for an exceptional feat.
From Palermo to New York in a rib: that’s why
One of the objectives of the raid is to raise awareness of the protection of the marine environment, with particular attention to combating all forms of pollution by plastics. To this end, the IAS – CNR (Institute for the Study of Anthropic Impacts and Sustainability in the Marine Environment, which is part of the National Research Council) will also participate, conducting specific research on the presence of microplastics in waters, both oceanic and Mediterranean.
The Suzuki of Davì are totally standard equipment
The Suzuki DF350A that will use Davì, two 4-stroke engines, 4.4-liter V6 are standard engines. No “work” or modification to face the Atlantic Ocean and the 7000 nautical miles of navigation. The Suzuki DF350A are the only ones with a double propeller counter-rotating propulsion system, Suzuki Dual Prop. A technical feature that is designed to push large hulls, such as the New Jolly 38 CC, moreover at full load, a condition in which will be navigating the Nautilus Explorer, the name of the rib, with all the gasoline and material needed on board to tackle a raid so long. The efficiency of the system, which is able to better discharge the torque of the thermal unit into the water, will help Davì to optimize the performance of his RIB, facilitating gliding and power management in all weather and sea conditions.
From Palermo to New York almost alone
The relationship with the sea and the ocean Davì will live it largely alone. Except for some “relays” that will be carried out for security reasons, the protagonist of this enterprise intends to travel mainly alone.
In numbers, the Ice Rib Challenge will last a total of about 6,600 nautical miles, 75 days of navigation (including stops), 500/600 hours of navigation, 24/30 stages … and above all a lot of courage! It will be possible to follow the real-time enterprise through a tracking link, which will be activated and published close to the departure date from Palermo, and keep up to date through the CCM website and social pages.