Old ARC crewmates come to meet Adriana — and leave with strict instructions for 2028.

Breskens Marina – Friday 24 – Saturday 25 July – Guest Log

Piet was part of the crew on the Ipanema in 2023, sailing the ARC from Gran Canaria to St Lucia. Not long after, Ilse and Piet shared that they’d be buying a ship of their own — and that, after a period of preparation, they meant to sail it around the world. After a careful search, they found the Oyster of their dreams, now christened Adriana. It was only a matter of time before we got to meet her.

Friday 24 July — Arrival & Hospitality

We drove down from Hilversum, Amsterdam and Rijswijk to find Ilse, Piet and Adriana waiting in Breskens. A tour was promised — but drinks and delicious snacks got in the way first. We caught up on the luxurious aft deck, and the sun gave us exactly the warmth that makes life so pleasant.

After drinks, we headed into Breskens for a cosy pizza dinner, keeping the wine to a sensible minimum to be fighting fit for Saturday at sea. Back on board, we got properly acquainted with Adriana’s wonderfully comfortable beds.

Saturday — A Day on the Water

After a good night’s sleep and a healthy breakfast, we slowly got Adriana — and ourselves — ready for a day at sea. The wind forecast wasn’t one for fanatical sailors, but it was perfect for a proper introduction to the ship. Piet, every inch the authoritative captain, gave a full safety briefing and laid out his intentions for the day.

The crew for the day came with its own quirks. Martin’s naturally commanding style had to be gently held in check for the occasion. Mark had sat out an earlier sailing trip, nerves getting the better of him. And one of us had lost a bit of physical strength and balance along the way. In short: Ilse and Piet had a slightly challenging crew to work with — and a good day of sailing to deliver regardless.

Ultimate composure, calm, overview — and, throughout it all, Piet and Ilse’s genuine willingness to teach.

The wind turned out kinder than expected, a porpoise surfaced nearby, and despite the light air, an adverse current, and the sheer size of the boat, we still made decent progress. The weather was perfect for a pleasant day on the water. Martin, ever the connoisseur, spent much of it deep in conversation with Piet about the ship’s technical details — good to see, and a clear reminder of just how well Ilse and Piet look after her.

Manoeuvring Adriana in and out of the box went genuinely fantastically. For a boat this size, it drew real admiration from all of us watching from the deck.

We closed the day the way we’d opened it: drinks on the aft deck. Our verdict — Ilse and Piet are preparing thoroughly for their adventure, and the ship suits it beautifully. Our advice to them: don’t wait too long, and make sure the Big Trip is underway by 2028 at the latest. We’d love to join for a leg of it.