This 180-foot aluminum ketch by Andre Hoek set sail last May after being launched from the Vitters shipyard in The Netherlands. The yacht, which took five years to design and build, has long overhangs, relatively low freeboard, and a narrow beam (only 31 feet) for its length. After sea trials, and commissioning Adele left for an extended summer cruise to the Lofoten Islands, which lie well beyond the Arctic Circle off the coast of Norway. After returning to Europe for some fine-tuning, owner Jan-Eric Osterlund began an extended cruise around the world.

Vitters Shipyard BV, Stouweweg 33, 8064 PD Zwartsluis, The Netherlands; tel. 011-38-38-386-7145; www.vitters.com