S/Y Hanalei Bay

Your Crew  - Franz & Diane Gradler

Cordial Hosts and Experienced Sailors - Franz and Diane invite you aboard and enjoy cruising to beautiful sunny Caribbean islands during your Sailing Vacation. Draw upon our extensive travel knowledge of the Virgins, Leeward and Windward Islands to custom-tailor your very own unique cruise.

Franz has been chartering since the early 80’s. He has logged over 80,000 miles offshore and has also sailed beautiful British Columbia, Mexico, Hawaii, & the Virgins to Venezuela. We celebrated our Silver Wedding Anniversary in 2001 with a cruise of the Western and East Mediterranean.

He has had the pleasure of welcoming aboard interesting Couples & Honeymooners, Retirees, VIP's, and Families with children of all ages. With equal versatility, he has skippered Hanalei Bay on Eco Expeditions, Corporate charters, TV Movies and Media shoots.

Franz is a former professional sailing instructor of adults, teenagers and children. He has raced successfully, and served as Rear Commodore of our Yacht Club. Hailing from near Munich in Bavaria, Franz set out for Salzburg as a Chef by profession. For years, he cooked and traveled the Continent, England, and Canada. He climbed & skied down the Alps, played tennis and soccer in Cornwall, learned to ballroom dance in London, became a theatre enthusiast in Montreal and toured most of the USA. He likes kayaking, snorkeling, fishing, playing beach volleyball, reading, and good music. He refers to his wife as “Schatzie”.

You will be sharing time with a good-hearted gentleman possessing a cosmopolitan, optimistic outlook on life. He has many sea stories to share with you.

 Professional Chef Franz trained in Europe. We believe that savoring tasty, well-prepared meals while in the good company of friends or family is a highlight of your vacation aboard Hanalei Bay.

Your personal French Chef loves to cook. He prepares healthy, satisfying meals and his expressions of ‘Galley Magic’ are very much a part of your great cruise aboard.

He is famous for his Captain’s Farewell Gala Dinner - with a Toast - to wind up your vacation. He prepares succulent Roast Lamb aux Fines Herbes available to you upon request. Ooh, La,La!

THE HANALEI BAY DINING EXPERIENCE TO ENJOY! Bon Appetite!

Diane is Canadian & met, and married Franz in Montreal. She was an Advertising Account Supervisor there, before they moved to Vancouver in 1978. Retired in 1999 from a hectic career as a Manager & Computer Specialist in the field of Property Management, she joined Hanalei Bay as First Mate. She has been a sailor for 28 years and has won the 'Yachtswoman' of the Year Award at their Yacht Club in Vancouver. Besides Mexico, she has sailed the Caribbean & the Mediterranean extensively with Franz & is familiar with the great places you may wish to enjoy visiting. Fun loving, with an outgoing personality, Diane will be your hostess during your stay aboard your Hanalei Bay Cruise.

Welcome Aboard!

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