Our journey began on June 1, 2023. It was a project I had in mind for some time; go around our beautiful country from Venice to Montecarlo with my 20 year old Riva Aquariva boat. Together with my friend Luca Botter, also a wine entrepreneur like me, we departed from the Venice Boat Show at the Arsenale.

The journey lasted 18 days touching wonderful places and entertaining us in the most suggestive ones to arrive in Montecarlo welcomed by Lia Riva at the Monaco Boat Service on 19 June. From there the boat returned to Venice transported by land. For the entire duration of the trip we were assisted by Navimeteo, our “big brother”, in an impeccable manner, avoiding all perturbations and giving us a great sense of protection and tranquillity. Good summer!

Lorenzo Canella

The weather aspect of navigation

When Lorenzo Canella contacted us to find out if Navimeteo could have followed the Riva Aquariva route, circumnavigating the peninsula from Venice to Montecarlo, I was really surprised by the simplicity and enthusiasm with which he told me about it. He told me that with his friend Luca Botter he would have liked to complete this long route but with the firm determination to take the right time, to navigate safely, possibly in good weather and sea conditions and following an itinerary that stopped in some beautiful places.

Weather permitting, their journey could have been completed in about twenty days. To discuss the programme, we therefore organized a video call (we call it a “weather briefing”) to better understand how to communicate and share the best options. I greatly appreciated their approach, attentive and prudent, and above all their idea of dedicating the necessary time to the sea voyage, without any rush.

It may seem obvious but in a context where performance and speed are often strong themes in powerboating, knowing that Lorenzo and Luca would leave to enjoy the sea, the routes and the slow pace of navigation impressed me favorably. It is true that an Aquariva easily exceeds a cruising speed of 20 knots.

We shared some points and the importance of being able to be followed by Navimeteo and friends through a simple satellite transponder (Garmin Inreach), checking the expected conditions over the phone with the Navimeteo forecasters before each leg and updating if necessary if the conditions are not were confirmed to be manageable for a planing boat.

Everything went great. I forgot to tell you that the welcome drink on arrival was an excellent Bellini, produced by the Canella winery. Congratulations Lorenzo and Luca!

Gianfranco Meggiorin