| Shuten-dohji II ("Drunkard's Son") is a Joe Adams-designed 50-foot bluewater cruiser which was launched in Australia in 1990. Shuten-dohji II was his first cruising design, and was built by Australian Don McIntyre. On her, after racing modifications were made, Saito entered and completed his first BOC Challenge in 1990-91.
From that point on, Saito and his sturdy boat have engaged in continuous racing challenges including the "Mount Everest" of single-handed sailing: the prestigious solo, around-the-globe race initially called BOC Challenge. Saito entered and completed both 1990/91 and 1994/5 BOC Challenges, and then competed again in 1998/99 under its new name of Around Alone.
Shuten-dohji II was built as a strong boat and has stood the test of time and countless stormy seas. Still, advanced designs and building techniques of the racing hulls of later years have left her on the heavy side, yet she has continued to finish all the single-handed competitions which saw a number of race contenders retire with equipment failures, dismastings, or simply the lost will of battered skippers.
Saito and Shuten-dohji II are ready to do it again. This seventh circumnavigation adds to their previous six circumnavigations through most of the world's oceans, logging approximately 400,000 km (215,000 nautical miles).
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