Welcome aboard HANALEI BAY !

From the moment you step aboard, you will notice the spaciousness, quality and comfort of a truly first class yacht, custom designed expressly for a discriminating, international clientele to enjoy while cruising on a fabulous yachting holiday.

Built in 1990 to stringent Canadian Coast Guard standards, the yacht's integrity has been proven over years of successful chartering and cruising thousands of miles on the oceans of the world. 42" tall stainless life-rails add a measure if safety on deck.

Sailing the HANALEI BAY is extremely comfortable, whether smoothly floating along on a gentle ocean breeze, or when the ideal winds accelerate the yacht to performance speeds (clocked at 15 1/2 knots). A thrilling experience. At your pleasure, try your hand at the helm.

Quiet interludes of sun-tanning on the generous size deck, fishing from the aft patio deck, and enjoying another glorious day in Paradise are all part of the day's more active adventures. Toast the beauty of a cove all aglow in the sunset aboard your home away from home.

The Main Salon

The air-conditioned yacht interior is bright and airy with 16 opening port lights in the hull, 5 hatches, skylight, and an aft patio door providing good ventilation. Ample insulation of the hull and deck keeps the yacht pleasantly cool below decks.

Join us and sail to beautiful bays where you can snorkel in crystal clear aqua water, glide along in our kayaks or stroll along on sandy beaches - magical moments in time.

 We have been chartering and have an excellent reputation for sincere hospitality, fun and great food. "Light" French Cuisine with a Mediterranean and European flair is the specialty aboard HANALEI BAY. Delicious meals are presented in the salon or cockpit.

Zipped on/off clear plastic panels of the wheelhouse bimini offers protection from the wind and sun. The large cockpit sits ten for dining and is the center of activities and relaxation.

Accommodations are provided for 2 to 6 guests in three very comfortable staterooms fitted with the finest linen and towel. There is an aft queen cabin ensuite with bathtub/shower, a forward starboard double, ensuite with shower a third cabin is to the port side with two singles (NOW CONVERTIBLE TO A LARGE DOUBLE !), ensuite with bathtub/shower.

Our crew is simply terrific and are on hand to help make your vacation with us one of your best !

Speaking of Tastes, Click Here for a Sampling of Hanalei Bay's Menu

 
Captain Franz and also with Mate Diane 

Cordial hosts and experienced sailors Franz & Diane Gradler invite you aboard HANALEI BAY to enjoy cruising to beautiful sunny Caribbean islands during your sailing vacation. Draw upon their extensive travel knowledge of the Virgins, Leeward and Windward Islands to custom-tailor your very own unique cruise.

Franz is a professional chef trained in Europe and intrinsically a mariner. He is a sailor and HANALEI BAY is their 4th boat. Besides being an accomplished racer in Vancouver, he could not resist becoming a CYA Sailing Instructor to teach and certify adults and children. He served as Rear Commodore of their Yacht Club for two years. “The Lure of the Sea” and Franz was soon crewing offshore. Which led to chartering our former ‘Hanalei’ in the 80’s in the Pacific Northwest followed by a chronic case of ‘foot-itis” of which there is only one cure. In 1988, they embarked upon a major 2-year project from the conception to the launching party of 72’ HANALEI BAY, a dream come true. Franz worked with Naval Architect, John Simpson, who designed a swift yacht for them, all specs to Canadian Steamship Standards, then the shipbuilder proceeded with construction of the aluminum hull in Vancouver before Franz and the craftsmen dug in with the finishing. It was a remarkable and exciting time.

Blue water sailing to Mexico, Hawaii, Venezuela and into the Caribbean, Franz has now skippered HANALEI BAY over 80,000 miles offshore which does not include local Caribbean chartering. They celebrated their silver wedding anniversary in 2001 by crossing the Atlantic to the Western Mediterranean, cruising to the Eastern Med, and returning to St. Thomas.

Franz 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.

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 and 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.

Diane, as a native Canadian, met and married Franz in Montreal. She was an advertising account supervisor there, before they moved to Vancouver in 1978. She joined HANALEI BAY as First Mate after retiring in 1999 from a hectic career in the field of property management as a manager and custom mainframe computer specialist. She has been a sailor for over 30 years and has won the 'Yachtswoman' of the Year Award at their Yacht Club in Vancouver. Besides Mexico, she has sailed the Caribbean and the Mediterranean extensively with Franz and 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.

We are so fortunate to do what we like best. Our lifestyle includes adventure, travel, and best of all, sharing time with our guests. That is simply irreplaceable. Welcome Aboard!

We believe that savoring GOURMET tasty,exotic, and well-prepared meals while in the good company of friends or family is a highlight of your vacation aboard Hanalei Bay.

The Galley

Ooh, La La:  VOILA - THE HANALEI BAY DINING EXPERIENCE TO ENJOY!