Vita Bel II - The Boat

Vita Bel, meaning ‘ Good Life’, is a stunning boat. She was custom-built in 1977 for the German owner of a fleet of commercial ships. Van Dam Naval Architects, Dutch ship-builders since 1881 and now 5th generation of family ownership, designed and fitted out the boat with every item individually specified and constructed.

'Vita Bel' is a Nordia '45' ketch-rigged 'blue-water' motor-sailer, of 16m. length overall with a beam of nearly 4m. Of steel hull construction and solid teak deck, the long keel design provides exceptional stability and pace sailing down-wind and on beam and broad reaches. She is set up for short-handed sailing meaning that 1 or 2 people could sail her easily in most conditions. The style and design is well-known and typical of Jongert yachts who obtained the design from the Van Dam architects.

In motor-cruising mode, the boat is powered by a Perkins 4632 4 cylinder diesel engine that produces 85 bhp at 2,500 rpm, a speed of 6/7 knots. Electrical service is via a 24v system, 220v supply is provided by a 6 Kva Onan generator, re-conditioned in 2003.

All standing sails are self-furling, the main and mizzen masts' have Hood in-mast furling systems. The majority of the sail wardrobe was built by Bank Sails in 2003. The Hood mizzen sail, mizzen stay-sail and cruising chute are virtually un-used and have not been replaced. This year, the boat had its running rigging replaced, masts un-stepped and repaired, booms removed and repaired and standing riggng checked and overhauled.

Her solid teak deck was re-caulked in 2003 and is treated every year. Aft, there is a teak platform, load capacity of 200 kg, that descends from deck level to 0.5 metres below sea-level, useful sea access for less physically able and disabled guests and for transporting a tender. A fresh-water shower is fitted there for guests comfort. On the poop-deck a dining table seats 12 guests under a removable sun-canopy.

The cockpit has a fully enclosing all-weather cover with removable window panels that gives excellent shelter if required during winter and low season sailing. Here, there is seating for 8 on teak benches with cushions. The fore-deck has 6 full-length deck-cushions for sun-bathing.

Below decks for'ard, the spacious guest sleeping accomodation is lined in Sapele wood with holly strip flooring. The master cabin comprising double bed, wardrobe and drawers, leads to an en-suite shower, wash-basin and wc. In the companion-way there are 2 single bunks with wardrobe and drawers, leading to a 2nd head, comprising a wc & shower suite. This leads to a V-twin cabin with cupboards.

Aft accomodation, accessed from the cockpit, comprises a spacious saloon with comfortable seating for 8 around the table on banquettes, a galley with electric oven and grill and ceramic hob, deep chest fridge and separate freezer.

The navigators berth is located across the beam at the stern of the boat and separated by a curtain. The chart table is equipped with Furuno GPS, Furuno SSB Transceiver FS-1550 radio, Furuno D-Weatherfax equipped with Navtex and a Rob-Chart Plotter.

Cockpit instrumentation includes Furuno radar, Raytheon ST60 Autohelm, Raymarine ST40 depth and log and ST60 Wind Pilot. Ship to Shore SSB radio.

Safety equipment required by the UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency is carried aboard at all times. A 3m. RIB with new 2 hp Honda outboard is towed behind at all times.

Vita Bel has sailed extensively in the North Sea, Mediteranean and made 2 Atlantic crossings.