Some Kind of Wonderful

Captain: Jacob Bonds

Nationality: USA

Jake’s affable good nature, easy-going personality and caring demeanor have made him many, lifelong friends. He is an excellent captain and holds a USCG Master Captain 100-ton certification. He is also a true Renaissance man with an astonishing array of skills and talents. As an adult, Jake won many tournaments playing rugby for years with the Highwaymen Rugby Club. He was a licensed General Contractor and Real Estate Broker in California. Always good with his hands, he is a Master Carpenter/cabinetmaker/furniture maker/boat builder. (He put these skills to great use as a volunteer rebuilding after IRMA in Sint Maarten.)
He can play the guitar, ukulele and piano, and build giant, 6-foot sand castles. Jake is also a PADI Dive Instructor and Some Kind of Wonderful is stocked with dive gear. He loves showing people the wonders of the underwater environment here in the Caribbean. The fun factor on an interactive charter aboard Some Kind of Wonderful is HIGH.
Jake was born in Pittsburgh, Penn, raised with his brother outside of Atlanta, GA. and moved to California at age 15. With typical humor he says that this tri-state upbringing “resulted in a progressive spirit mixed with southern charm.” The Pacific Ocean inspired his first dreams of sailing and living on the sea. He was 16 and his best friend in high school lived on a sailboat in Sausalito, CA. This playful introduction to seamanship quickly became a lifetime passion.
Jake lives by the motto “Be the random acts of kindness you wish to see in the world.” He cares deeply about the people that come into his life and goes out of his way for them. He wants new friends coming aboard to know; “We live on the boat and consider it our home. We want our guests to feel like it is their home as well while they are with us. We want to welcome them into our lives so they can enjoy what we get to see and do every day.” Welcome to paradise aboard Some Kind of Wonderful!

Stephanie’s motto is “Live your best life”. For her, that also means making sure that her guests are living their best lives every minute they’re on board Some Kind of Wonderful. She says, “Most people come on to the boat as a guest, but leave as family. It is important to me to treat each guest like I would a dear friend and to pay attention to their needs." Stephanie is a farm girl from Santa Rosa, California. She helped the family raise cows, chickens, sheep and pigs, and tend a huge, one-acre vegetable garden. She had 20 acres of land, trees and a creek to romp in with her brother, sister and numerous cousins. There were many family outings to nearby beaches, lakes and rivers. Love was everywhere.
As soon as she could hold a spoon Stephanie was a kitchen helper. She learned to cook true farm-to-table meals from a young age. She says, “I was always in the kitchen alongside my Nona, Mom and Dad, preparing meals, learning how to make fresh pastas and sauces, and canning fruits and vegetables.” That is exactly what she brings to the menu aboard Some Kind of Wonderful: fresh, local, high-quality, homemade from scratch. Guests’ favorites include: Spicy curry chicken with sweet coconut rice and braised beef short ribs in rich red wine ragu with pureed potatoes.
Her friends, both old and new, describe her as loyal, sweet, kind, and a great chef. For guests interested in recipes and tips, she’s always happy to share. Stephanie says, “Seeing people enjoy the foods I prepare is the greatest gift. I love communicating to people how much they mean to me through food.” While her food is superb, she is also an excellent first mate, delightful hostess, dive master and patient teacher for those who need a bit of instruction with the water toys and gear.