Our cover story is about an owner who believes that all things are possible. Jan-Eric Österlund, a veteran sailor who circumnavigated the globe on his previous sailboat, sought to do it again and conceived his new yacht, Adèle, to do it even better than his previous boat. He directed Andre Hoek to design a 180-foot ketch capable not only of going around the world, but one equipped for surviving the uncompromising elements at the ends of the earth. Our two-part story combines Justin Ratcliffe’s "onboard" review with Österlund’s own piece titled "At the Top of the World." Spitzbergen, north of the Arctic Circle, is quite a backdrop for this stunning sailboat amidst icebergs, walruses and polar bears!

Our feature "Orient Express, Boat Building in China" is another can-do tale. George Sass Jr. traveled to Asia and learned how building in Taiwan—despite political differences—has spawned a whole new industry in mainland China. Who would have predicted a country that underwent a communist revolution a mere generation ago would today be building megayachts? David Marlow, for one. Almost 13 years ago, he scoured Asia looking for new places to build. He started building in Taiwan at the start of the new millennium, but as Taiwan became more and more a first world nation he sought new frontiers where he could produce the quality his customers wanted at more economical prices. Phasing out of Taiwan, he has established—through sheer perseverance—an environmentally friendly, high-tech yacht yard with top-notch engineers, carpenters and builders. Witness the craftsmanship and quality of Marlow Yachts and the waiting line to get one, and you know that someone’s optimism paid off!

In a completely different section of this issue, we have a story on the ShowBoats Fisher Island Rendezvous for the Boys & Girls Club of Broward County. It’s one of those photographic spreads where readers may think, "What is this? How is it possible to have children from underprivileged backgrounds hanging out with megayacht owners?" Not only is it possible, but it’s also purposeful and productive. (Those are three "P" words antithetical to pessimism.) At this event, yacht owners, philanthropists and marine industry leaders raised a phenomenal $1.2 million in one weekend to help subsidize the Boys & Girls Club. I met a group of enthusiastic, cheerful, self-possessed kids who benefit from the club; bright young people being mentored toward a brighter future. At the risk of sounding schmaltzy, those kids are reaching for the impossible dream. The people at the Boys & Girls Clubs encourage and support kids to become achievers, proving to them that they "can do." With guidance and leadership (and outstanding examples provided by members of the yachting community), the boys and girls learn that it’s not too difficult, they should bother and nothing is impossible!