adele sailing yacht price

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ADELE yacht NOT for charter*

54.64m  /  179'3 | vitters | 2005 / 2015.

Owner & Guests

• Previous Yacht

Special Features:

• Impressive 7,485nm range
• ABS (American Bureau of Shipping) ✠A1, Yachting Service classification
• Award winning
• Sleeps 10 overnight

The award winning 54.64m/179'3" sail yacht 'Adele' was built by Vitters in the Netherlands at their Zwartsluis shipyard. Her interior is styled by design house Hoek Design and she was delivered to her owner in June 2005. This luxury vessel's exterior design is the work of Hoek Design and she was last refitted in 2015.

Guest Accommodation

She is also capable of carrying up to 7 crew onboard to ensure a relaxed luxury yacht experience.

Range & Performance

Adele is built with a aluminium hull and aluminium superstructure. Powered by 1 x diesel Caterpillar (3412E-DITA) 12-cylinder 1,000hp engines running at 2100rpm, she comfortably cruises at 13 knots with a range of up to 7,485 nautical miles from her 23,400 litre fuel tanks. Her water tanks store around 8,000 Litres of fresh water. She was built to ABS (American Bureau of Shipping) ✠A1, Yachting Service classification society rules.

*Charter Adele Sail Yacht

Sail yacht Adele is currently not believed to be available for private Charter. To view similar yachts for charter , or contact your Yacht Charter Broker for information about renting a luxury charter yacht.

Adele Yacht Owner, Captain or marketing company

'Yacht Charter Fleet' is a free information service, if your yacht is available for charter please contact us with details and photos and we will update our records.

Adele Photos

Adele Awards & Nominations

• International Superyacht Society Awards 2006 Best Sailing Yacht 36m+ Winner
• The World Superyacht Awards 2011 Best Refitted Yacht Finalist

NOTE to U.S. Customs & Border Protection

Specification

S/Y Adele

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Exceptional design and performance

Hoek Design’s sophisticated 179ft aluminium ketch, Adèle, has been designed for world exploration. Adèle combines long overhangs, low freeboards, a flush deck and tall masts to provide pace with space. She carries a huge sail area on a narrow, easily driven hull. Her two masts allow for many sail combinations and make her well balanced in all winds.

Adèle has won three prestigious awards. A stunning result and a statement to the Owner, designer, our building team and everyone involved!

World Superyacht Awards: “Best Sailing Superyacht 51 metres and above”

The international Superyacht Society Award: “Best Sailing Yacht Over 36 metres”

ShowBoats International Awards: “Best Sailing Yacht over 40 metres”

Type: 

54.5m ketch

Design: 

Hoek Design

Interior Design: 

Owner’s representative: .

Marine Construction Management, Nigel Ingram

Length hull overall: 

Delivery: .

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4th March 2022

Adele - 55m sailing yacht

VITTERS' 3RD-LARGEST YACHT

ADELE is an impressive 54.6m sailing yacht. She was built in the Netherlands by Vitters and completed and delivered in 2005. Five years after planning started. She was last sold in 2007 and had a 10 million refit in 2016 by Royal Huisman’s Huisfit division in the Netherlands. 

Adele is among the top 10 per cent by LOA in the world. She is one of 37 sail yachts in the size range of 50-55 m, and the 3rd-largest yacht built by Vitters. As for the largest yachts in the world rankings, Adele is positioned at 685th. 

Hoek Design Naval Architects is responsible for her sophisticated design, (the exterior design, naval architecture, plus interior design), along with 38 other yachts. She has 2 tall masts that allow for many combinations of sailing, and also make her well stabilized , to tackle all winds.  

Adele is one of the fastest sailing yachts in the world. She has a top speed of 13.5 kn, and a cruising speed of 11.0 kn. At a cruising speed of 10.0 kn she boasts a max range of 6500.0 nm, powered by a single Caterpillar 3412E DITA diesel engine. Her gross tonnage is 338.31 GT with a beam of 9.5 m and a draft of 4.8m. Adele can carry 23,400 liters of fuel, plus 8,000 liters of water on board. 

Her accommodation allows for 10-12 guests in 5 cabins, (1 owners suite, 2 double and 2 twin cabins), plus a crew of 8 who can take care of the guest's every need, ensuring complete comfort on board.  

Adele currently sails under the flag of the Cayman Islands, which is the second most popular flag state when it comes to superyachts, with 1,249 registered yachts in total.  

This luxury superyacht was designed for world exploration and is known to be an active superyacht. We believe that the current owner and his wife use her extensively, and sail for 2 months of the year somewhere around America and 2 months of the year in the Bahamas. Here on the left she was spotted in the UK during September 2021. 

Her original owner was Jan-Erik Österlund, who in 2008, launched a book called Exploring with Adèle after sailing her to more adventurous places in the world, where normal yachts wouldn’t explore. According to Jan-Erik and his wife, their most memorable journey was their visit to Antarctica. 

Adele has won 3 prestigious awards, which is a stunning result and a credit to the designer, owner, build team and everyone involved. The awards are as follows:  

The international Superyacht Society Award: "Best Sailing Yacht Over 36 metres" 

ShowBoats International Awards: "Best Sailing Yacht over 40 metres" 

World Superyacht Awards: "Best Sailing Superyacht 51 metres and above" 

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ADELE Vitters Shipyard

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ADELE has 6 Photos

Majestic 55m Vitters Sailing Superyacht ...

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If you have any questions about the ADELE information page below please contact us .

A General Description of Sailing Yacht ADELE

This sailing yacht ADELE is a superyacht of substantial proportions. This 55 metre (180 foot) luxury yacht was made by Vitters Shipyard Bv in 2005. Superyacht ADELE is a sumptuous yacht that is able to accommodate a total of 12 passengers on board and has around 9 crew members. The firm of naval architecture which delivered her plans and general arangement on this ship is Hoek Design. Hoek Design was also the one who saw out the overall interior design.

S/Y ADELE combines the classic lines of yachts like the early 20th century J-class yachts, such as the Prince’s of Wales BRITANNIA and Kaiser Wilhelm’s METEOR with a contemporary rig and underbody ensuring fast ocean passages. The long overhands, low freeboards, flush deck and tall masts give the yacht beautiful lines. Her sheer size enables both elegance and comfort.

New Build & Yacht Design relating to Luxury Yacht ADELE

The yacht's wider design collaboration came from Hoek Design. The professional naval architecture drawings are the work of Hoek Design. Sailing Yacht ADELE received her stylish interior designing from the interior design firm of Hoek Design. In 2005 she was actually launched with accolade in Zwartsluis and following sea trials and finishing touches was afterwards delivered to the yacht owner. Vitters Shipyard Bv completed their new build sailing yacht in the Netherlands. The core hull was crafted from aluminium. The sailing yacht main superstructure is made largely using aluminium. With a beam of 9.51 metres or 31.2 feet ADELE has spacious interior. A deep draught of 4.8m (15.7ft) limits the list of ports she can visit, taking into account their particular characteristics.

Engines & Speeds On S/Y ADELE:

The main engine of the ship produces 1000 horse power (or 736 kilowatts). Her total HP is 1000 HP and her total Kilowatts are 736. She is driven by a single screw propeller. ADELE has a/an efficient cruise speed is 13 knots which offers a range of 6500.

Superyacht ADELE Has Accommodation:

Bestowing space for a limit of 12 visiting passengers overnighting, the ADELE accommodates them in luxury. She also requires around 9 able yacht crew to run.

A List of the Specifications of the ADELE:

Miscellaneous yacht details.

In Sept 2009 ADELE sailed to Fort Lauderdale, in United States. This sailing yacht also cruised the waters within Broward County during October 2009. Heinen & Hopman is the company which installed the AC . ADELE features a teak deck.

ADELE Disclaimer:

The luxury yacht ADELE displayed on this page is merely informational and she is not necessarily available for yacht charter or for sale, nor is she represented or marketed in anyway by CharterWorld. This web page and the superyacht information contained herein is not contractual. All yacht specifications and informations are displayed in good faith but CharterWorld does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the current accuracy, completeness, validity, or usefulness of any superyacht information and/or images displayed. All boat information is subject to change without prior notice and may not be current.

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“Sailing yachts have long combined nature with manmade beauty.” - ED DUBOIS “I think that one of the best things about Vitters is a conscious effort to make each yacht better than the last one. And better, you can have a long discussion about what better means, but better really in terms of quality. They have achieved that. And the finished project always batted my expectation.” - NIGEL INGRAM

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Adèle shines bright like a Diamond in Norway...

... and is the light in the beautiful sea [...] - thanks to huisfit, the refit division of royal huisman is adèle like new..

Adèle pictures in Norway: Taken by the crew. Pictures at the yard: Priska van der Meulen

This yacht is one of the most beautiful sailing yachts designed by Hoek Design Naval Architects . The original builder was Vitters in 2005. Royal Huisman’s refit division Huisfit gave her a new dress, and she shines bright again – better than new through the upgrades.

The crew took some awesome pictures during the journey in Norway. The owners of Adèle are very satisfied with Huisfit’s work.

After the journey in Norway, she will be back in the Netherlands, then to Central America, the Panama Canal, South Pacific, and beyond (according to the captain).

Adèle is a real blue water cruising yacht. Her first owner was Jan-Erik Osterlund who traveled two years around the world with her. He published pictures from the journeys on his website . Also, the current owners use her extensively.

“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and to me, it lies in the classic lines of yachts like the old Prince of Wales’s Britannia and Kaiser Wilhelm’s Meteor, or the America’s Cup yachts of the thirties – long overhangs, low freeboards, a flush deck and tall masts.” – Jan-Erik Österlund

In addition to the Norway pictures here some impressions when she came out of the shed, taken by Priska van der Meulen:

List of done work

• Service and complete overhaul of propulsion, generators, thrusters and other onboard systems
• Climate control upgrades, including new chiller, fan coils and ducting
• Replacement of batteries
• Exchanging existent lighting system to LEDs
• Upgrade and replacement of electronics for navigation, communication, alarm & monitoring
• Repairs of the interior
• New teak deck and partial replacement of the cap rails
• Servicing of hatches, winches and various deck equipment
• Painting of the inside of the hull and parts of the interior

Andre Engblom, the captain since her launch, acted as owner's representative during the refit in Vollenhove and answered some questions.

How important is it to program refit work well in advance to ensure the best outcome?

We started planning 18 months in advance. This pre-planning process was really important from the perspective of ensuring accurate project management to avoid conflict between the various trades. This, in turn, allows for seamless progression through the work list with optimal efficiency. The input of Taco Zwarts [ed. the owner’s project manager during the Huisfit period] leading up to the refit was invaluable, both technically and financially.

Why the decision to refit in Holland as opposed to the Med?

In one word: quality. The Dutch are renowned as boat builders and Royal Huisman is the epitome of a Dutch shipyard. The owners were proud to bring the boat to a yard with such a prestigious history and reputation.

What was the experience of your crew during their time in Vollenhove?

It was a rather damp winter, but the crew’s time in Holland was pleasurable thanks to the hospitality and great family atmosphere in the village, which carried over to the shipyard. Great friendships were made that will last well into the future.

In terms of determining the refit schedule and work list, how significant was it that you were involved in the original build of the yacht?

Being involved in the original build at Vitters meant that both Taco and I had in-depth knowledge of Adèle right down to her foundations. This meant that together with Huisfit we had a winning combination; we brought vital past knowledge that Royal Huisman could draw on to carry Adèle elegantly into her future travels.

Main Specifications of ADÈLE

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• Adèle Menu:
• Facts & Figures
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Adèle Facts & Figures

The vision of adèle.

I had always been an explorer in my heart. I read everything a young boy could read about adventurers, from Shackleton in Antarctica and South Georgia, to Heyerdahl and his Kon Tiki. The combination of scientific research and hands-on adventure that they provided appealed to me.

My previous sailing yacht, Swedish Caprice , an eighty foot sloop, was built at a small Swedish yard. Together, over more than fifteen years, we sailed around most parts of the globe, and I spent about three months a year aboard. We visited many of the places familiar to blue water cruising yachtsmen – the Pacific Islands from Micronesia to Tahiti; the Far East, from Timor in the south to Luzon in the north, Phuket in the west to Irian Jaya in the east. We saw Madagascar, the African Coast, the Seychelles and Maldives in the Indian Ocean, Alaska and Mexico and the classic cruising areas of the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. But, in time, I came to yearn to go further, to explore the wilder, more dangerous places where few yachts travel.

I started planning Adèle in 2000, but it would be five years before she was built and launched. She was to be a yacht that would explore high latitudes and low temperatures as well as being at home in the tropical seas. The archetype to do this is the motor explorer yacht, with high bow, reinforced hull and tenders placed amidships – but this wasn’t what I wanted. Exploring the seas should be intimately related to sailing, and a sailing yacht is about beauty, speed and adventure. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and to me it lies in the classic lines of yachts like the old Prince of Wales’s Britannia and Kaiser Wilhelm’s Meteor, or the America’s Cup yachts of the thirties – long overhangs, low freeboards, a flush deck and tall masts.

But could this be combined with a modern rig, modern engineering and a seaworthy hull? I didn’t know until I met Andre Hoek, the brilliant Dutch naval architect who shares my passion for photography, sailing and sailing yachts. Andre was a driving force in the creation of Adèle – while always being able to listen and to pick up ideas from his colleagues or from me.

Andre showed me his vision of a large superyacht constructed from the latest materials, filled with the latest technology – but built to classic lines. It was a far cry from the many superyachts that looked like motorsailers. I knew that this was exactly what I wanted. Adèle was to become the first Hoek superyacht, and she was to have several followers from his drawing board over time.

Adèle had to be longer than I had originally anticipated, to get the accommodation required, but she carries her classic heritage so gracefully, it was worth it.

When you are exploring, function is as important as form and she was meant to be fast, with a dreamy, easy motion through all but the roughest seaway. We tested the designs in both the Delft tank facility and the wind tunnel in Southampton., opting for a short fin keel with a heavy bulb because it was less vulnerable than a winged keel, which if damaged would be impossible to repair in far away waters.

The ketch configuration was chosen to give Adèle more possible sail combinations, making it easier to balance her in all conditions. And it allowed for a much safer sail plan in big seas – with just mizzen and headsails set she could sail downwind in the roughest weather with no danger of dragging the main boom and causing a potentially catastrophic broach. When the wind dropped, full mainsail and mizzen staysail would produce an enviable amount of horsepower for Adèle to glide along in the lightest of airs with her easily driven hull. And if all that were not enough, a sloop design would have necessitated a single mast so tall that it could not pass under the Bridge of the Americas over the Panama Canal.

Other decisions were just as practical – we fitted mechanical steering. In the modern era, Adèle was probably the largest yacht so equipped, but it is a big contribution to safety in out-of-the-way places. It gives a true feeling of her motion in the sea when you have Adèle’s reaction through her rudder back to your hands. For similar reasons, we shied away from in-boom furling, because the consequences of a failure would be disastrous far from big yards and sailmakers. Instead, we chose old-fashioned and seaman-like reefs, but with both reefline and halyard on synchronised captive winches to make it easy to shorten sail. And again, it wasn’t only safety concerns that dictated this, but also the fact that a traditionally reefed mainsail or mizzen stands better and makes it possible to sail higher – closer to windward – and faster.

From Concept to Launch

It took several years of hard work by a team of naval architects and designers from Hoek Design and other consultants, to move from a simple vision to the thousands of drawings that are necessary to build a large yacht. Adèle grew in size in the process – originally 173 feet and ending up at 180 feet. Andre and I travelled around to meet yacht owners, captains, crew and builders at different yards to get comments, advice and criticism of the plans. Using their valuable help and experience we modified several aspects of Adèle , particularly the interior. For instance, and perhaps understandably, neither Andre nor I had fully understood the importance of the size of the laundry room area. I’m happy that we extended that – now that I know that we ran the two washing machines for around ten hours a day, every day (with the exception of stormy weather at sea) during our two years of exploring.

Vitters yard in northern Holland converted the hull to the finished product, and a year and a half later – exactly on time and as planned – she was ready. It was time for a party. Adèle was the biggest yacht Vitters had built, a step into the unknown for Andre Hoek, and both had emerged triumphant.

Adèle was put on a barge heading for her new and natural home – the ocean. The keel was fitted, the masts stepped, the sea trials commenced and the crew moved aboard. It was a spring launch ahead of those sea trials, a new birth for the summer – but like any adored new born, she would have to get a little older and get some life under her keel before she could be christened.

Sailing Adèle

Adèle is a powerful yacht and carries a large sail area both upwind and downwind which, together with her narrow hull, gives her an impressive speed even in light air.

Her ketch rig is more versatile than a sloop allowing for a wide range of sail combinations that can be controlled safely in heavy weather. Her mainmast is as tall as possible whilst still allowing passage beneath the Bridge of the Americas in the Panama Canal. Including antennae, the tip is 63.6 metres above the waterline.

Using computer models and wind tunnel testing, Adèle was designed to be sailed with all sails set (genoa or yankee, staysail, main and mizzen), a total sail area of more than 1,500 m2. Sailing close-hauled the staysail doesn’t contribute that much, but neither does it create drag. In smooth water she sails close-hauled at an apparent wind angle of around 25 degrees, but in rough conditions with large waves that can increase to 35 degrees.

On a beat into the wind we would reduce sail at around 15 knots of wind speed, starting with a reef in the genoa and then in the main and mizzen. Reaching in light winds (6 to 12 knots) Adèle slices through the water about a knot faster than the true wind speed and this can, in good conditions, increase to two knots faster than true wind speed. As the wind creeps further aft the apparent wind is reduced so the mizzen staysail can be set. Designed as a reaching sail and therefore relatively flat, it substantially improves per-formance in light air and is easy to set, trim and furl. Ideal angles are between 60 and 120 degrees apparent.

Just like no sailing yacht can sail straight into the wind, neither does Adèle sail straight downwind. Adèle’s speed means that she generates her own wind (assuming the true wind isn’t coming from straight behind) and we would normally be more efficient sailing at a downwind angle of a maximum of 130 degrees to the wind. Conversely, that means that we have to gybe downwind as well as tack upwind, and our sailed distance increases.

Adèle’s spinnaker is asymmetric and designed, like most modern fast and large sailing yachts, to be carried without a spinnaker pole. At 1,500 m2 it was certainly one of the largest spinnakers ever made (and probably still is), and the expanse of red and white sail cloth is a fantastic sight. But I have to admit that it is a handful to hoist, sheet and take down! Used in moderate conditions, together with the mizzen staysail on a beam or broad reach, Adèle sports an impressive 2,700 m2 of canvas.

The main and mizzen are furled via traditional slab reefing systems with ‘Park Avenue’ booms (very wide booms), lazy jacks from boom to mast and full length battens in both sails. The main boom is 18m long and 1.35m wide.

The first design was based on in-boom furling for the main and mizzen, but the decision was taken that as Adèle would be sailing in remote areas, a reefing system that would require a minimum amount of maintenance on the sails would be preferable.

The lazy jacks and full-length battens give much better control of the sail, and of course the mainsail has a better profile giving higher upwind speed. To simplify reefing we instead developed a reefing sys-tem where the first reef is taken on a captive winch that is synchronized with the (also captive) halyard winch. Although it works like a push-button automated reefing system, nothing replaces the vigilance of the crew.

Sailing upwind we take in a reef in the main by staying close-hauled and letting out the main boom, while the foresails and mizzen continue to work. That is one of the advantages with two masts. The process is then repeated the other way, when we take in a reef in the mizzen.

Both the main and mizzen are stowed on the booms by the help of a car system on the mast, where every second car goes to port, with the following one to starboard, helping the process of folding the sails and reducing the stacks of the cars (which is of considerable height anyway).

After the main or mizzen is hoisted, the top of the sails are locked in position by special locks on the masts that take all the tension. The halyard winch can then be released and the pressure on the mast is reduced. Cunningham, outhaul and boom-vang are adjusted hydraulically to assure optimal shape of the sail in all conditions.

The genoa and forestaysail are both carried on Rondal hydraulic furlers, and the sails are strength-ened at the natural reefing points (see table). In heavy weather the sails are reduced in several steps depend-ing upon the weather conditions, the sea and the wind angle.

The staysail and genoa are hoisted with the halyards taken to any of the mainmast winches. The halyards can then be tensioned by a hydraulic ram for each sail, placed at the mast.

In storm conditions, Adèle is designed to carry a reefed mizzen and staysail. During the crossing to Cape Horn we found that downwind we benefited from having only the mizzen and headsails hoisted, because heavy seas can induce a rolling, where the main boom could dig into the water with very negative consequences. On my previous yacht, an 80 foot sloop, we lost two booms that way. On Adèle , we take down the main in those conditions and sail safely with mizzen and genoa. We can still do more than 12 knots even in moderate winds.

Rig and winches

The masts and booms are made of carbon fibre. All standing rigging was stainless steel rod. A carbon fibre spar is carried at the forward end of the main mast for hoisting and lowering the large tender.

We have a crow’s nest with seating for two persons on the main mast, which can be hoisted and lowered via a hydraulic captive winch controlled from deck or from the crow’s nest itself. It goes to just below the inner forestay (~40 m above the waterline).

The spreaders are angled backwards. That means that in normal conditions we don’t have to set the running backstays, but we always set them on ocean crossings, in rough conditions or when motoring.

Adèle had 12 hydraulic captive winches (where the line automatically is rolled up on the winch drum) and 10 hydraulic normal winches plus a couple of snub winches. Adèle also has two anchor winches forward and one for the stern anchor aft.

All upwind sails are sheeted to captive winches. The mizzen staysail is sheeted through the mizzen boom and back to a winch at the mizzen mast. The spinnaker is sheeted to the big primary winches placed either side of the mizzen mast. Those winches also handle the running backstays. They back-wind to pay out the sheet (or running backstay) safely, and can also be used as back-up winches for the yankee, if the captive winches should fail. This never happened to us, and the forces are so strong that we would have to be very cautious using them.

Living Aboard Adèle

Adèle’s sheer size allows for elegant lines and low freeboard, as well as living spaces that are big enough for a large group of guests on deck or in her comfort-able interior.

The deck is the focus of living on Adèle . Not just the place from where she is sailed, it is also an area to watch the world go by, an area to sit and read, eat or drink. It turned out that even in Svalbard and the Antarctic we had most of our breakfasts and lunches in the cockpit, although our dinners were below in the deck house.

The main cockpit is the focal point for sailing and socialising and can comfortably embrace forty or so guests.  The fixed bimini overhead has windows for viewing the mainsail from the helm, and side windows can be rolled down in foul weather. There are four,

L-shaped sofas around the edge, and twin tables just forward of the helm stations. These are ideal for coffee, or a meal for just a few friends, and, combined with a central table that seats ten and is popular for dinner, it is a very adaptable area.

There is a natural inclination for everyone to look at the central electronic chart console between the wheels. Along with the digital instruments showing speed, course and wind, it enables captain, crew, owner and guests to follow the progress, and leads to much discussion.

Just aft of the side entrances to this cockpit are a pair of outboard-facing benches (where Lasse and I spent much time watching albatrosses in the far South Seas). There are also seats in the pushpit, large enough for two to sit for a cosy chat. Combined with benches in front of both the main and aft deck houses, the seating allows all aboard finding private areas to enjoy the sailing or relax with a book. The pulpit has a large triangular seat from where the power of Adèle is really appreciated, looking aft at her 290 tonnes cut-ting through the seas.

There is a second owners’ cockpit aft, with two large armchairs facing diagonally aft and a big half-round sofa looking forward. We often took our drinks in that cockpit with our guests before dinner in the main cockpit. And if there were only a few guests aboard we sometimes had dinner aft as well. Aft of this cockpit is another relaxation area for sunbathing or catching the occasional fish with our rods!

The main deck house is the major interior social centre, with the dining table to port, opposite low sofas to starboard, and navigation and communication equipment at two desks forward. There are two sepa-rate computers, which both have a complete chart system. One is used for immediate control, with a repeater on deck. The other system, on the port side, is used for planning our passages. We can analyse a course and look into a possible harbour for the night without interfering with the system with which the watch is navigating Adèle through the immediate obstacles. The computers are able to communicate with each other and a new route can be transferred from the planning to the navigation/control computer.

Also to starboard, and half a level down from the main deck house is the captain’s office, where there is a third computer for communication and weather forecasting. Beyond that is the control room with access to the engine room.

Descending forward from the main deck house is the main saloon and the library, which also served as my office, where I kept in contact with the outside world, wrote this book and edited the photos. To port in the saloon is a plasma screen for watching tv or dvds, or even the chart. To starboard is a wood-burning fireplace in front of two sofas and two more armchairs.

Forward of the saloon on the port side are two guest cabins and aft of the deck house are two further guest cabins, four in all.

Forward of the forward guest cabins you enter the domain of the crew – the galley, the crew mess, four crew cabins, each with its head and shower, and the laundry room, always busy with a contingent of around 18 people present on many of our voyages.

Going aft past the two aft guest cabins, you enter the owner’s suite, where Jennifer and I not only had a bedroom with a sofa and a writing desk but also a bathroom with Jacuzzi, a dressing room and a private sitting room in the aft deck house with sofas, bar, a writing desk for Jennifer and a plasma screen.

But Adèle has three deck houses – the third is forward, with a little sitting area accessible from the forward guest cabins or the crew area. Sometimes appreciated by guests who wanted to withdraw and still watch what was going on, it was mainly used by the crew as a social area, especially in heavy weather. Many times I found my Jennifer playing scrabble with Georgina, our bosun, in that deckhouse, or saw Claire, our chef, getting a well-deserved nap in rough weather.

The owner of this sensational 180-foot ketch was attracted by the concept of having a separate aft section of the boat all to himself, including a stateroom, deckhouse and cockpit. The stateroom itself is huge, and includes walk-in closets and a magnificent bathroom. Adele still has ample space for four guest suites, four crew cabins and some lovely relaxation areas. Her dual-purpose design - exploring remote areas and recreational racing - involved an extensive amount of research. The hull, keel and rudder were rigorously tank tested, with five different keels being examined, and the sail plan was extensively wind tunnel tested. Launched in 2005, Adele has an aluminium hull, a fin keel with bulb and a rudder with fixed skeg. She was completed at Vitters to ABS and MCA requirements. The interior design, exterior styling and all naval architecture work was carried out by our office with MCM acting as owner' s representative. Adele has won the International Superyacht Design Award, the World Superyacht Award, and the Showboat Award 2006. This hat trick had never previously been achieved by another yacht in a single year. The book Exploring with Adele (available via [email protected]) outlines the Arctic and Antarctic travels of the yacht in the first two years.

LOA     55.0 m LWL     38.4 m Beam     9.5 m Draft     4.8 m Sail Area     1335 m2 Yard     Vitters Shipyard Year     2005

Yachting World

• Digital Edition

What is life cruising on a superyacht really like? To the Antarctic on Adele

• Natalie Davies
• February 15, 2017

David Glenn finds out what it's really like cruising on a superyacht

What’s it really like cruising on a superyacht – not just cruising but undertaking an Antarctic adventure which very much relies on the yacht as a platform, a lifeline and a completely independent mode of transport?

For two memorable weeks in 2009, I was accommodated in the port aft guest cabin, a twin-berth, mahogany-lined cocoon of comfort of Adele, a 54m modern classic by Hoek Design, built at Vitters and launched in 2005. This was my diary at the time:

My cabin insulates me entirely from the conditions outside. As I write this I’m looking through the porthole up at snow-covered peaks on South Georgia’s rugged coastline, but sitting here it’s hard to tell I’m aboard a yacht. The air conditioning keeps the cabin at a comfortable constant temperature and although one of Adele’s three generators is always running there’s only the faintest background hum from the air con.

Occasionally an electric motor or hydraulic pump whirrs into action, barely audible, a sign that the crew are launching or retrieving one of the three tenders, weighing anchor or unfurling and trimming a sail.

There’s a phone at my bunkside with a Fleetline and Iridium link to the outside world and best of all a network connection point for my laptop which links me to the yacht’s internal server and e-mail system. With my own onboard e-mail address issued as soon as I arrived I have been able to send anyone aboard an e-mail or leave a message on the yacht’s server to be sent to the outside world twice a day.

Text and small pictures are OK and that’s how this blog is happening. For the yacht it isn’t exactly cheap and the bill can run into several hundred dollars a day but if you have to keep in touch you can. Sadly, we do need to keep in touch…

Breakfast is served at a time agreed with the guests – there are eight of us – the owner Jan-Eric Osterlund and his wife Jennifer, the skipper, chef Claire Oliver and chief stewardess Anne Hall-Reace. Anne alternates her job with Liesel Havercroft so that she can get time off at home in South Africa, a system increasingly used in this extremely demanding service industry. For this demanding trip it’s her tour of duty.

Shortly after breakfast skipper Andre will produce The Daily Mail – yes, Adele subscribes to this satellite transmission service which is then printed out each morning. As we are only two hours behind GMT we are impressively up to date with what’s going on 8,000 miles away. Some of us think this is a shame but there’s always a rush for the Mail mainly to see the cricket and rugby scores.

Together with the papers will be a satellite derived weather check, printed out for all to peruse and as we get closer to a departure time for Brazil these charts become increasingly interesting and important to analyse.

The day’s plan of action will have been mapped out the evening before so that the crew know when to launch boats, have packed lunches together and when to expect us back for lunch, tea or dinner. While we’ve been in South Georgia the weather has been distinctly mixed and it’s become cold with snow and high winds so going ashore for some wildlife adventure normally means a thermal layer, fleeces, full oilies, long boots with walking boots in another pack, gloves, head gear and lifejackets. We all look as though we’re going to the moon by the time we’re ready to disembark.

We take grab bags full of emergency kit including sleeping bags, a tent and emergency rations. One must never forget that this remote, barely inhabited island will not support human life for much time in extreme conditions and if for any reason we couldn’t get back to Adele, which is our lifeline, we must be prepared to hunker down ashore. Radios are used extensively and if the shore party splits it’s essential both groups can communicate with the yacht.

There are three tenders from which to choose, a aluminium hulled RIB with a 35hp diesel outboard – good for running up the beach – a Castoldi jet boat, excellent for shallow waters, and the biggest a small launch driven by an outdrive unit which can cope with fairly rough conditions. They are all stowed on the foredeck and can be launched remarkably quickly by a halyard run to a powered drum winch. Bosun Georgina Swan and deckhand Quinton are responsible for getting us ashore and drive the boats with great skill, difficult sometimes with a sea running as they manoeuvre alongside the boarding platform.

Having got us off the yacht the crew’s work really begins. Lunch and dinner preparations are underway in the galley, stewardess Gillian Baker and Anne will hoover the entire yacht using the central dust collecting facility – the ‘hose’ plugs into ‘terminals’ all over the yacht, – our laundry is collected on a daily basis and will be waiting for us washed and ironed that evening. All our bunks will be made and our cabins cleaned and tidied.

In the machinery compartment Paul will be checking fuel levels continuously and correcting any malfunction. When we boarded in Stanley a water pressure pump had failed. Not only is there a back up in place, but Paul went to work to repair the failed unit – “hardly surprising it’s gone – it’s pumped about one million litres of water from new!” he said.

Considering there’s an engine running in the machinery room constantly – sometimes two – plus water making, air conditioning, sewage treatment and a whole host of electrical requirements for communication and navigation, it’s a wonder not more goes wrong. Adele will have been cruising independently for almost eight weeks before she arrives in Rio de Janiero and in fairly wild conditions, a lot for any large yacht as complex as this.

Pressure hose-down facilities will be ready for us on the side landing when we return to the yacht to ensure that we are not transferring flora and fauna. Towels will be ready and waiting and if we’re back at the appropriate time there will be hot soup waiting for us in the cockpit. In South Georgia a vast supply of Argentinian Quilmes beer was constantly available for those returning aboard with big thirsts. The first ones never touched the sides…

For those in need of a cup of tea, coffee or any other hot drink at any time of day or night, there’s a mini-galley just forward of the lower saloon with constant boiling water on tap and a complete array of drinks including herbals, infusions, hot chocolate plus juices and beer. Anyone can use this 24/7 to avoid calling the crew unnecessarily.

A power nap is almost compulsory in the afternoon if you want to stay the distance later in the evening but there’s normally an afternoon run ashore with Eef Willems, our Antarctica guide, who will lead us to yet another natural South Georgian wonder. By the time you’re back from that you will be exhausted but tea and cake will be ‘automatically’ served at about 1600. Somehow it just appears and little bowels of chocolates, dried fruit and nuts are regularly topped up.

Update your blog either in your cabin, at a work station in the deck saloon or even on deck, bring your notes up to date and take another shower before drinks and dinner, always served in the deck saloon around a magnificent mahogany table, beautifully laid in a different style each night.

But just how do they keep that hot water coming?

It runs in a loop around the entire yacht in welded polypropylene piping fed by the fresh water system and heated by two glycol filled heat exchangers which are in turn heated by elements at two points, one forward, one aft. This provides the yacht, which has about ten showers, a bath and Jacuzzi, and a galley the size of a small hotel, with continuous hot water.

Habit has me turning off taps early and rationing myself, but water conservation simply isn’t an issue aboard Adele. When you consider that the yacht uses about 2.5 tons of water for a ‘top to toe’ wash including the rig, the deck and topsides, the need for constant fresh water is paramount. In good conditions she can make five tons of water a day – 5,000 litres – but in the Antarctic’s much cooler waters this capacity is reduced.

Magnificent meals were served throughout our stay aboard, both at sea and at rest, the result of meticulous planning, major victualling in Auckland and Argentina and a top up in Stanley in the Falklands. Wines from New Zealand and Argentina had certainly travelled well. Apart from extensive cooling and refrigeration capability Adele has a sort of half deck below the soles right down in the bilge of the yacht where extra stores for long trips can be stowed. Two of the guests with dietary requirements were served immaculate alternative meals with no fuss or delay. The standard of service throughout was of an extraordinary high order but there was a relaxed nature to it all creating a genuinely easy atmosphere.

After dinner one could retire to one’s cabin or to the lower saloon to watch a movie. Sleep, I can assure you, never came so easily!

To see the video of David Glenn’s experience aboard Adele, click here

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The Dutch are renowned as boat builders and Royal Huisman is the epitome of a Dutch shipyard

Being involved in the original build at Vitters meant that I had in-depth knowledge of Adèle right down to her foundations. This meant that together with Huisfit we had a winning combination; we brought vital past knowledge that Royal Huisman could draw on to carry Adèle elegantly into her future travels

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Adele is a custom sailing yacht launched in 2005 by Vitters Shipyard and most recently refitted in 2015.

Vitters Shipyard is a well established and respected custom yacht builder situated in Zwartsluis, The Netherlands. The facility opened in 1990 and has delivered an impressive list of yachts, working with top designers, up to 75 meter in length.

Adele measures 54.64 metres in length, with a max draft of 4.80 metres and a beam of 9.50 metres.

Adele has an aluminium hull with an aluminium superstructure.

Her exterior design, naval architecture and interior design is by Hoek Design Naval Architects.

Performance and Capabilities

Adele has a fuel capacity of 23,400 litres, and a water capacity of 8,000 litres.

She also has a range of 6,500 nautical miles.

Accommodation

Adele accommodates up to 10 guests in 2 cabins. She also houses room for up to 7 crew members.

Other Specifications

Adele has a hull NB of 3052.

• Yacht Builder Vitters Shipyard No profile available
• Naval Architect Hoek Design Naval Architects No profile available
• Exterior Designer Hoek Design Naval Architects No profile available
• Interior Designer Hoek Design Naval Architects No profile available

Yacht Specs

Other vitters yachts, related news.

2022 HANSE 548

Introducing the epitome of sailing excellence – meticulously maintained Hanse 548 is now available for sale, offering a unique opportunity to own a stunning vessel that’s been cared for with unparalleled dedication. This extraordinary yacht is a testament to both the quality of Hanse craftsmanship and the meticulous maintenance it has received.

Accommodation

The Hanse 548 is a spacious sailing yacht with 4 cabins and 3 bathrooms , offering ample accommodation for families or groups. Its convertible salon and galley provide flexible living arrangements, while outside, there’s plenty of deck space for relaxation and dining with stunning sea views. Ideal for luxurious and comfortable cruising experiences on the water.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

EQUIPMENT & EXTRAS

B&G Navigation package 

– 2 instrument pods (1 per helm station)

– 2 B&G Triton2 multifunction displays at the helm station, incl. transducer

– B&G VHF V60 at chart table, incl. wireless remote handset H60

– 2 B&G Zeus3S 9″ chart plotter (1 per helm station)

– B&G autopilot with Triton2 control unit and Precision compass

– VHF preparation with antenna and splitter for FM and AIS

Cruising package

– Helmsman footrests (free mountable)

– 4 additional cleats, midship, retractable (2 each side)

– Delta-anchor 40kg, galvanized with 60 m galvanized chain

– Openable portlight in coach roof window ps and 2 openable hatches in deck windows

– Backstay tensioner, hydraulic

– MyHanse safety cloud with 24 months subscription and device installed on board

– Battery set, capacity: 1 x 90 Ah + 4 x 160 Ah AGM

– Inverter/charger, 12 V / 220 W – 100 Ah incl. AC panel

– Wind indicator

– 8 Fenders

– 4 mooring lines

Comfort package 

– Courtesy lights in cockpit

– Electrical deck wash pump, mounted in bow area with outlet deck

– 2 vents for coach roof hatches

– Courtesy lights in saloon

– Indirect lights in saloon and cabins

– LED overhead lights in saloon and cabins, dimmable

– SLS – Scenario light system – touch screen controller and dimmer in saloon

– Blind set with flyscreens for deck hatches

– Blinds for hull windows

– Blinds for side coach roof windows

Entertainment package

– Wireless charging

– Fusion MS-AV755 multimedia radio with bluetooth and CD/DVD player

– Fusion MS-AB206 subwoofer with integrated amplifier in saloon

– 4 high-end 2-way speakers in saloon

– 2 high-end 2-way speakers in cockpit

– Fusion remote control in cockpit

– Fusion wireless link – remote control via mobile devices

– Crew cabin with sink, toilet and storage space

– 2 x forward cabins with double berth, storage space and separate head with shower – convertible by a removable bulkhead into single cabin

– Saloon table electrically lowerable with cushions, convertible into double berth

– Teak on helmsman seats

– 2 cockpit tables, aluminium foot with teak tops, electrically lowerable and convertible into sunbeds

– 2 x Lewmar 55 EST EVO electrical winches with automatic fuse

– Swimming ladder, manually extractable

– 2 helmsman seats

– Bow thruster

– Aluminium mast with furling system

– Self-tacking jib tracks

– Generator Fischer Panda, 10000i, 8,0 kW

– Air conditioning, 40,000 BTU (4 x units: 2 x in saloon, 1 x aft cabin, 1 x forward cabin)

– Electric toilets

– Spray hood

– Bimini top

– Dinghy + outboard engine

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