Your Crew
CAPTAIN Lutz Grundmann & CHEF Jana
Meet Captain Lutz – Your Expert Skipper Aboard Mahana
With a lifetime of sailing experience, Captain Lutz brings skill, passion, and adventure to every journey aboard Mahana. He began his sailing career at just 12 years old, competing in high-level regattas, including the European Championships in the Corsair class. Over the years, he has mastered both monohulls and multihulls, participating multiple times in the renowned Kiel Sailing Week and navigating the waters of the Caribbean and the Atlantic Ocean.
After a successful career as an architectural design manager, Lutz embraced his true calling—full-time sailing and living at sea. Now on a world circumnavigation, he is dedicated to sharing his love for the ocean with guests aboard Mahana.
Lutz holds a German Skipper License and has undergone extensive training in marine emergency response and first aid at sea. With his expertise, guests can expect a safe, exhilarating, and unforgettable sailing experience through some of the most breathtaking waters in the world.
Sail with confidence, explore with passion, Captain Lutz is ready to welcome you aboard Mahana!
Meet Jana – Your Chef & Wellness Guide at Sea
Jana is not only the talented chef aboard Mahana but also an experienced sailor and certified yoga trainer, bringing a unique blend of culinary artistry, adventure, and holistic well-being to your journey.
Her passion for the sea began in childhood, growing from small boats to ocean voyages spanning the Mediterranean, the Netherlands and Caribbean. She thrives on the simple beauty of life at sea—the wind in her hair, the rhythm of the waves, and the magic of exploring new horizons.
In the kitchen, Jana’s love for food mirrors her love for sailing. She enjoys crafting fresh, flavorful dishes using local ingredients, turning every meal into a cultural experience that connects people just like the ocean does. Expect vibrant, thoughtfully prepared meals designed to nourish both body and soul.
Beyond cooking, Jana offers a deeply restorative experience through hypnotherapy yoga. With years of expertise, she helps guests unlock their inner potential, relieve stress, and embrace the transformative power of the mind. Her sessions provide a path to relaxation and self-discovery—perfect for those seeking balance and inspiration during their time at sea.
Sail, savor, and reconnect with yourself aboard Mahana, where Jana’s passion for food, the ocean, and holistic well-being come together to create an unforgettable experience.
Amazing Sailing Trip Aboard The Mahana - August 2025
As I sit on my porch this Sunday morning, reflecting on our trip to Bonaire and Curaçao, it comes to mind what an amazing sailing trip aboard the Mahana. It was everything that we could have imagined.
Upon arrival we were greeted with an incredible charcuterie, board and cocktails. During the rest of our trip. Our chef created beautiful, well plated dishes, including the mahi-mahi and tuna that we caught that was prepared three different ways. The food was truly amazing.
The very next morning, Lutz made us feel very comfortable with his safety briefing and the equipment that he had on board to support safety.
Then it was time for us to set sail, the Mahana presented itself as a very safe sailing vessel. And that she was.
Lutz displayed all the characteristics of a seasoned captain and leader, very forthcoming with explanations of the inner working of all the digital readouts and sailing maneuvers
Every morning before our adventure for the day, Lutz would have a brief meeting, explaining what we were doing , where we were going and what we could help with if we wanted to being part of the crew, that was an integral part of my experience on the Mahana.
Unfortunately, one day of Sailing my wife became seasick and Lutz was extremely professional and focused on my wife’s health during her episode of sickness until she recovered, this took some time
The next day, he proposed an alternative to the long sail back from Curaçao. It turned out to be an excellent alternative. We ended up flying back that took 30 minutes. He had to sail for 10 hours to return back to Bonaire. His compassion for my wife was generally heartwarming and much appreciated.
I personally enjoyed captianing the boat on our cruise of the Curaçao coast. He put his trust in me with his Mahana. This was a real joy for me.
Lutz was very accommodating when we requested a couple nights at the marina and Curaçao. This was a change in plans but a great one he was very flexible.
In closing, we labeled this adventure, the trip of a lifetime and because of Lutz it truly was.
Thanks again for your great leadership
Andreas Pollmeier
"I went sailing with Lutz (skipper) from Lisbon to Madeira and Tenerife. I can fully confirm the reviews that have been written so far. What I would like to emphasize is that every sailing maneuver was discussed in detail and Lutz put an above-average amount of trust in the crew. Lutz is not just a sailor, he adapted to the crew whether they were going ashore or fishing. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Lutz."