VITO is a robust, carefully considered, bluewater cruiser. VITO is a conservative design, completely secure at sea. It has no bad sailing habits – always offering an immense sense of safety and reliability at sea. The original concept was by first owner, who has made 5 circumnavigations, the two most recent in VITO. The present owner has continued in the same spirit of comfort, simplicity, reliability and safety. This is not a ‘marina boat’, or day-sailer. Instead, it is an ideal vessel for a single-hander, couple, or small family planning a major voyage.

The previous owner of VITO and his wife lived aboard for 17 years and sailed her twice around the world (over 80’000 nautical miles). I have owned VITO for 13 years, during which I have cruised in Turkey and the Agean. During this time I have made continual renovations and improvements (see below).  The yacht is now in excellent functional condition and ready to go anywhere. Her speed is excellent, and she is surprisingly easily driven by even very light wind. Windward performance is also remarkable for a displacement yacht. The quality of the aluminium-construction is excellent. Everything is simple, but very functional - proven on two circumnavigations with a crew of only two. Fast, comfortable and safe under any conditions. It is a perfect yacht for a serious blue water sailor: low maintenance, easy handling, excellent self-steering- qualities, no-nonsense gear and -equipment.

VITO is named for the famous early single-handed  sailor and circumnavigator, VIto Dumas.

Jean-Pierre Sauvain, the first owner of this VITO,  had previously built a steel yacht VITO 1 based on the plans of LEHGZ, which he obtained from Dumas' widow.  Jean-Pierre also obtained Dumas' documents on the behavior of LEHGZ and what improvements he had considered. After 2 curcumnavigations in the steel VITO 1, Jean-Pierre had this VITO (actually VITO 2) constructed according to Alan Pape's design for the Saltram Saga which he considered one of the most sea-worthy cruising boats ever designed, and which followed also the philosophy of Dumas. This 'saltram'  SY VITO was then constructed in aluminium by Habbeke,  in Vollendam,  the Netherlands.