ΖΕΝ 39S – Twin 5.7L V10 350hp Verados
Top Line S 22 – Νew Υamaha 2.8L F200G
ΖΕΝ 39S – Twin 5.7L V10 350hp Verados
Top Line S 22 – Νew Υamaha 2.8L F200G
NJ Prince 24 Exclusive - DF300AP Suzuki
Seamanship is a rather vague term that includes a wide field of knowledge and sciences, but also behaviors and unwritten rules. Learning nautical knots, making a course on the nautical chart, basic knowledge of geography, astrology, physics and mathematics, but also technical knowledge about our boat and its general equipment, are things that we can learn or read in a book.
Seamanship, however, also includes a series of knowledge that can only be acquired through our experience at sea, a fact that brings it to a kind of Naval Art. The absolute respect for the sea, the ability to handle our vessel in bad weather conditions, to observe and perceive some bad signs, to take the right decisions when the pressure is on and many more, are basic elements of Seamanship that are assimilated after many hours of sailing in the open and unpredictable sea.
We were a crew of 4, with 300 liters of fuel and all our equipment loaded on Nuova Jolly's Prince 24, which was the boat of the Asterix 2024 mission. A "relay" race in the context of the Paris Olympics, where 7 different crews participated to cover a total of 3,100 nautical miles. On the transom of the boat was hung the 300hp Suzuki engine, the lower unit of which was turning a 3-blade 15΄΄ x 21΄΄ watergrip propeller with a gear ratio of 2.08:1.
Having the honor of participating with the e-Ribbing team on the second part of this mission, we covered a total of 421 nautical miles over three days burning 565 liters, which means 1.34 liters for every nautical mile.
This trip was also a very good opportunity to evaluate the Prince 24 in real-world conditions of use, carrying out an exhaustive test of several nautical miles.
1st day
Friday 4/26/24
We left Barcelona's Olympic Marina at 6:30am and our bow marked Ciutadella on the western tip of Menorca, at 113 nautical miles. Weather conditions were very good with variable southerly winds not exceeding 3bf. With a small swell against our bow, we were cruising at 23 to 25 knots at 3600 and 3900 rpm respectively. The hull of the Prince 24 certainly had no problems and sailed us very smoothly, giving us a very enjoyable ride.
At 11:45 we entered the narrow and beautiful harbor of Ciutadella and tied up at the gas station located on the dock.
We took a few breaths of rest, refueled and at 13:00 set off for the NE Cape of Mallorca.
The force of the south wind started to rise and so we chose to sail the northern coasts of Mallorca where the sea would be calm. We were traveling a short distance from the shores, enjoying the tall brown rocks that fell vertically into the sea composing unique images of beauty.
At 17:00 we arrived at the western cape of the island, intending to turn to its western side where the main harbor is located, where we would spend the night.
According to the weather forecast, the southerly would increase its strength hour by hour reaching 27 knots, which would maintain the next day as well. So, we started thinking to continue to Ibiza about 60 nautical miles ahead.
We opened out for a mile or so to see the weather in the passage, weighed our strength, and made the decision to continue our journey.
Approaching the halfway point of the Mallorca-Ibiza passage, the wind picked up a lot and large waves were hitting the left side of our bow, forcing us to reduce our speed.
Prince 24 was traveling excellent penetrating the crests of the waves like butter, but at about 19:00, our strength began to abandon us. However we had no choice but to continue on our way. So we gritted our teeth and endured the fatigue and the annoying spray that bathed the entire boat.
At 20:25 we were entering into Ibiza's Santa Eulalia marina, having traveled a total of 249 nautical miles, burning 336 liters.In the next two days the weather conditions were predicted to be very hard and so we decided to stay on the island enjoying its beauties.
But on Sunday the weather forecast changed to the better and so we decided to set sail for the coast of Spain.
2nd day
Sunday 4/28/24
We filled our tank with fuel and at 12:30 our bow marked Calpe Marina, 80 nautical miles to our southwest. But while the weather forecast was very good, we constantly had big waves on our bow with almost constant rain bothering us.
At 14:30 our position was 38 47' N / 0 57' E. We had covered only 31 nautical miles in two hours, constantly changing our course in search of a smooth and restful sailing. The waves reached 3 meters in height, which combined with their short period did not allow us to travel as we would like.
So we were riding with 11 knots at 2900 rpm, the sweetest point to travel comfortably without straining the boat.
For this reason it is very important to be able to travel having the boat on plane at low speed, so that our navigation is more comfortable while at the same time not burdening our autonomy. Of course, the performance of the boat would be better in terms of planning, cruising speed and economy, if we wore a different propeller which would allow us to have more thrust at low rpm and of course smaller slip values.
At 16:00 our position was 38 44' N / 0 39' E.
The waves continued to come irregularly towards our bow, while very often the intensity of the wind increased making our sailing even more difficult.Finally, after 6 hours of riding we entered Calpe Marina, having traveled 80 nautical miles burning 117 liters of fuel.
3rd day
Monday 4/29/24
At 08:00 we left the marina behind and our bow marked Cartagena. The sky was heavy and it rained continuously, but the sea was calm and we were traveling in a particularly hazy but atmospheric landscape.
At 3500 rpm we were cruising at 24 knots burning 1.1 liters per mile, while at 4000 rpm we were running at 28 knots burning 1.3 liters per nautical mile.
At 12:30 we entered the port of Cartagena, having traveled a total of 92 nautical miles, burning 112 liters.
Of course, the impressions left by both the Suzuki engine and the Prince 24 Rib were excellent. The boat's ride in every wave direction was superb, with its knifelike hull cutting the waves like butter and smoothing our navigation, giving us an enjoyable journey in comfort and safety.
We should also focus on the particularly robust construction of the boat, which is truly excellent, since despite the constant stress of the many miles, we did not in any case hear annoying noises, while we were moving with great comfort on deck, both in the stern and in the bow area.
Manufacturer:
Nuova Jolly Marine
Via Bologna, 3/5 - 20060 Bussero (Milano)
Tel. 02/95334031 - Fax 02/9503235
www.nuovajollymarine.com
infojolly@nuovajolly.it
