S/Y Hanalei Bay

“Good Times”

Georgia, USA  Dear Broker: Hanalei Bay is a marvelous sailing machine!  It was obviously built with speed and comfort in mind.  And it is maintained superbly in every respect.  It's hard to imagine how someone could design and build such a comfortable and stylish boat, while retaining all the aspects of a sleek cutter.

Franz Gradler is an extraordinary skipper --- an experienced sailor and thoroughly knowledgeable of the waters (and the watering holes) in the U.S. & British Virgin Islands.   Intuitively, Franz knows where to sail and where to anchor during good weather and bad.  His wife, Diane, is also an accomplished sailor.  Together, they made it a memorable sailing experience.

The food was extraordinary!  Franz is a most talented chef and prepared the items listed on the sample menu you provided to me.  How he does it in that galley, even under adverse weather conditions, is a mystery.  (Eggs Benedict for breakfast!  Kabobs for dinner!)  And the presentation of the meals was as elegant as any three star gourmet restaurant --- new cloth tablecloths and napkins, chargers, china, and service!  On a sailboat!

Was the trip all I hope for?  Yes!  And more!  Hanalei Bay, Franz, and Diane are the complete package!  I cannot imagine one suggestion that would improve the experience. 

Many thanx for all your efforts.   Hanalei Bay had no problem in the up-to-30-knot breezes we encountered.

Again, many thanx for putting me onto Franz and Diane and the Hanalei Bay!  If you want to use me as a reference, feel free—Bill

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WFB “Franz, I can't add to the tributes I've already paid you, but I can reiterate them, which are that you are the kindest most attentive seaman alive, and your guests profit prodigiously from your efforts on their behalf..  Dear Diane: So many thanks for your unremitting attentions on the cruise, for which we are all enormously grateful.  With warm wishes for a successful season” William F. Buckley Jr.

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PA, USA Thank you both so much for making it one of our best vacations ever! Everything was perfect – delicious food, beautiful table settings (I still don’t know how you manage to do that on a boat Diane!)), a spacious comfortable boat that was always immaculate, great weather, snorkeling, tubing, beaches and bars!, but especially, both of you! – who went out of your way to make sure we all had a fantastic time!-John

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Brussels & Scotland  An extraordinary combination of technical ability, natural good humour and the wonders of the West Indies made our holiday charming and memorable. 

Franz is a trained Chef and it shows. Each dish made from fresh ingredients, (even the fettuccine was made from flour water and effort!) beautifully presented on the Hanalei Bay’s amazing range of dishes and napery. Steaks on the barbecue, fresh fish caught in the morning from the boat and cooked for lunch, a truly remarkable success, i.e. of very different and always tasty dishes presented with style.

Diane and Franz offer training in fish-filleting, water sports, sailing and wildlife and Franz is an expert amateur surgeon when sea urchin spines have to be removed.

We were charmed from the moment we arrived on board. We shall return. We warmly recommend a cruise on Hanalei Bay to anyone who thinks they might like a holiday with a difference, who has sailed or might like to sail, who wants to explore inaccessible beaches and tiny islands, and who wishes to be made welcome by congenial hosts who are skilled in making guests feel happy.

 We are happy for you to use any of the foregoing remarks to be shared with anyone.

 I should add that in smooth weather and rough weather, we had total confidence in the boat and its owners! – Ian

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Mexico  We sent 6 days, 5 nights on the boat and we liked every minute of it.  We could have been here for another week but we had to go back home. I will remember forever this wonderful vacation with my sons Pablo and Felipe, we were so well attended that we didn't have to worry about anything. We also had wonderful weather.   We enjoyed all the different toys, especially the "banana" and the snorkeling was spectacular!'' 

 We also enjoyed very much the company and attentions of Diane and Franz, the food, and attentions to details.   We thank you very much and I hope I can come back with the rest of the family.   We had a tremendous!....Time! --Raul

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 Florida, USA  Anyone who tells you that the "second time around" is always better hasn't met the crew of the Hanalei Bay, Shatzie & Franz! After our 4th time in the Caribbean, this was the best. "Shatzie and Franz made our trip "unbelievable"! Their hospitality and genuine desire to please their guests' obviously showed! The manner of making you feel at home pleased me the most! Great weather, good wine and fantastic food—Bob

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