April 2024 CREW REVIEW from previous yacht
Jake, Stef and Parker were our crew in Apr 2024 and were nothing short of incredible. We picked them because of their prior great reviews and we are so happy we did!
They sought out our food, drink and activities preferences and made this one of our best vacations ever. We can’t wait to go back!
They are a great team and Stef will spoil you with her amazing cooking. Jake’s desserts are delicious, as well.
Mark and Jill
April 2024
CREW REVIEW from previous yacht
5 star review!!
Best crew ever! We were totally spoiled with Jake and Stephanie and will not be satisfied with anything less in the future. We will be repeating with Jake and Stephanie in 2026!
We just finished fabulous charter with 2 other friends this past April 2024. This was our dream trip and was a so more than we anticipated.
We went to bays and be the only boat in the bay. Perfect trip. Jake and Stef went above and beyond to make this trip everything we wanted.
The food was exceptional and we were spoiled with every meal… 5 star meals!
Parker was best thing of our trip! We loved having Parker with us.
Jake took us diving. We were able to see rays, turtles and octopus. My husband got to do discover scuba and now is hooked on scuba. Snorkeling with turtles is a memory I will always remember.
Ken and Jane
New Years 2023/24
"It was a fabulous experience and one I would love to repeat.
For me the crew, the boat and the service were exceptional…and the food was incredible!
Was reluctant and sad to leave!"
December 2023
My wife and I, together with our four teenage boys, booked a week aboard Dragonfly with Dave, Val and Marcus. It was, in a word, magical. It was a perfect getaway for our family. The boat is wonderful, with lots of space for everyone to move around and to each have their own lounge areas. The catamaran was even big enough for us to have two of the kids have their own rooms, which was a big help to keep the fighting to a minimum.
Dave is a true expert in the BVI and knew the best places for us to both explore and to sleep. At every location, he knew the perfect place to anchor and got us the best tables at every restaurant we tried. Both Dave and Marcus were tireless in getting our kids out to do water sports -- the e-foil was a huge hit as was wakeboarding behind the tender. We even were able to do jet skiing because Dave knows the guys who can still have a license after the BVI's outlaws it.
Onboard, Val was an absolutely amazing chef. We have kids that run the spectrum of eating preferences. Val handed it like a champ -- weeks later our kids are still talking about how good the food was. Val always made meals that worked for our entire group, which was not easy at all. Our final onboard meal was filet mignon for those that would eat that and hot dogs for our youngest. We presented a tough group, but Val was up to the challenge. And her painkillers are absolutely sublime.
In terms of destinations, we loved our time at the Caves on Norman Island, Little Harbor on Peter Island, the Bitter End, White Bay, and Anegoda. As a family we have been to the BVI a few times, but always on land with just day charters on the water. Having done this time on the boat, there is no comparison. The opportunities to enjoy the Virgin Islands from the water is incomparable. We didn't even step foot on Tortola -- there was too much to do everywhere else.
I could not recommend more highly a trip with Dave, Val and Marcus. And Dragonfly is a great yacht on which to do that trip.
July 2023
2nd Trip better than the first! CREW REVIEW from previous yacht
Thank you for making this trip so memorable! As you know, we knew we'd want to spend more time here to share this spectacular experience with our kids and their friends...and so we DID!
I had really only 2 goals for this trip in mind: learn to scuba for myself and have the kids learn to scuba dive as a lifelong hobby. Thank you Captain Jake for taking such good care of Clint & PM & for me as well. So happy that PM took the skills you taught her!
I'm so grateful for being introduced to you. You are a marvelous couple and even better hosts/turned friends/turned family. I hope to take more trips with you. Goes without saying that the food was fabulous, as was the endless drinks. Having our hosts interact with us so much made the whole experience better.
God speed to you both. May the next few months be a smooth transition from this marvelous vessel to the next.
The Bills, Garner & Moore Families
May 2023
Guys Trip- CREW REVIEW from previous yacht
We spent a week led by the power duo of Jake and Stefanie. They love what they do and one can easily tell. Jake is the guy who should have been in the “Most Interesting Man in the World” Dos Equis commercials but was too busy sailing a boat, catching spiny lobsters, and folding napkins in the shape of a rose.
Stef is the Martha Stewart of the seas; a solid chef with a keen eye for everyone’s needs, but will also out-scuba dive you with gusto. If you feel having a captain and chef around might be too intrusive for a vacation, forget about it. You will be happy to have met and have spent a week with them. Highly recommend this trip.
Domenic and friends
Christmas 2022 - CREW REVIEW from previous yacht
We had an amazing charter and the most memorable vacation ever! I would strongly recommend using Chef Stef and Captain Jake and their boat.
We were sure to give ALL of our dietary restrictions to chef Stef and she was more than accommodating. Our call before the charter was so helpful and we were able to explain our extra needs (we have a type 1 son).
On charter - SO much fun. I really appreciated the cleanliness of the boat and crew, the attention to detail, and the hospitality.
Some of our most memorable moments:
The Painkillers
Scuba diving with our son
Paddle boarding
Nighttime bioluminescent experience
Watching falling stars on the trampoline
Sand dollar diving
Beach sand gorilla
A handful of culinary dishes that knocked my socks off.
This was the second time we have chartered a boat - would absolutely book them again
We found them through Regency Charters.
McCarter Family
May 2022
We will never forget all the memories made on the sea! - CREW REVIEW from previous yacht
Captain Jake & Chef Stef,
Thank you for sharing your home and your love and knowledge of this beautiful place with us for the past 7 days. It has been a once in a lifetime trip for our family!
From snorkelling in water so blue it looks like it can't be real, to amazing sunsets, to delicious meals and smooth sails - it has been the perfect adventure for us.
Thank you for staying up until we've all turned in, and then getting up before us each morning to ensure we are taken care of. You guys are amazing!
Love, The Hallier's
P.S. Extra pets for Daisy & Parker!
May 2022
Crazy start, AMAZING finish! -CREW REVIEW from previous yacht
Jake and Stef, (Parker & Daisy too)
Thank you so much for opening your home to us for our Caribbean adventure. You have been so willing to accommodate us and the craziness that has surrounded our trip from needing to pick us up in St Croix due to flight cancellations to having to drop two off early. You have been such gracious hosts, and we are already planning our next trip with you! We thoroughly enjoyed all the wonderful food, diving and just hanging out. We are definitely leaving feeling like family; and maybe one day, you can be like family at one of our houses, either on the Florida coast or the lake. We would love to have you! Good luck with your adventures in South Africa and with the future 5th wheel. It's so nice to see two people enjoying each other and their adventures together. You have made the start of our family vacation one we will never forget with such amazing memories. Thank you all so much! God bless you!
Love, Bev, Craig Anna, Abby & Megan
April 2022
Introduction to chartering - CREW REVIEW from previous yacht
Bonds Family (furry & not),
Thank you so much for sharing your home with us. We couldn't have picked a better way to introduce our girls to chartering. They are already begging to know when they can see you again. The experiences, memories & weight gain from Stef's food will last a lifetime. Thank you for your patience & love with the girls (and Chad...). Daisy & Parker were great & made it so much fun. The diving was incredible & sprat point is Abby's new happy place in life. Call us if you're ever in Utah & we promise a meal worthy of Chef Stef. We look forward to our next trip with you!
The Griffiths
April 2021 & April 2022
Extra special 40th Birthday - CREW REVIEW from previous yacht
Where can I begin. My wife wanted to do something special for her birthday. We had all kinds of ideas and plans, however she wanted to do something extra special. She happened upon private charter boats and stumbled into Dreamcatcher. From the very beginning, Stef and Jake were prompt in their email replies and responses answering all the important questions as well as the ignorant ones since we had never done anything like this before. Jake and Stef took it in stride and were very kind and polite through the whole process down to the best ways to travel and get there, offering advice along the way. The conference call the week before was a big help as it answered a lot of questions that came up at the last minute such as things to pack, what to prepare for, down to last minute dining and drink choices. The day we arrived in St. Thomas we caught a cab from the airport to the marina where Captain Jake stood waiting for us with a cart to help us move all our gear from the cab to the boat. When we arrived at the boat, Stef was ready and willing to do whatever she needed to and welcome us aboard. “We are a shoe free ship so drop them in this basket and come on in!” We were shown where our sleeping quarters would be for the week. We already had a great idea of what we were walking into because the preference sheet as well as sleeping arrangements were well laid out for us prior to our arrival so we knew EXACTLY what to expect. I will say, it went above and beyond our expectations. Everything was tidy, clean, and neat. A welcome basket greeted us as soon as we entered our rooms that included a journal, welcome note from the crew, as well as sunscreen and towels. Since it was my wife’s birthday, they went above and beyond and decorated the door to our room with Happy Birthday banners. Before we could turn around, as we were all wary and famished from our travels, we were greeted with an appetizer and shown where the beverages were so we could immediately begin our vacation. We set sail and went to our first bay for the night and traveled to many on our seven-day tour. Captain Jake is excellent and knows the waters around us, as well as how to provide a smooth sail as to not disturb us or create any illness on our moves from port to port. We motored part of the journey and sailed the rest. He was willing and able to let us be involved in the process and stood by as we swapped sea stories of our own personal adventures through our lives. The food on board was top notch. Every meal was shared with laughter and joy as we indulged in what Stef prepared for us. Breakfast was fantastic. Lunch, even better. There were several days that she spent all day prepping for dinner. You could really tell she put her heart and soul into it as dinner was normally quiet as we all savored in the fare that she set out in front of us. Although we filled out preference sheets, we never really designated meals as we are uncomplicated and easy going. There were 5 of us in our party total and some had special requests, but Stef nailed every meal and fit everyone’s specific requests from beginning to end. You want chicken nuggets? No problem. Pizza? Why not. Fish tacos? Our pleasure. Fresh lobster on the grill that we caught while diving? Absolutely! We were never left leaving the table hungry and as the day melted on, there were always snacks available and of course, cold beverages of whatever we wanted. Before dinner every evening we had a light snack as well as hand crafted cocktails to boot to wash down our exciting days as we traded stories of our current and past adventures. My personal favorite of every day was saying goodbye to the day and blowing the conch shell as the sun set on the horizon. I am a little bit more of a night owl, so Jake and I got to sit up late many nights and chat. The conversation was warm, friendly, and welcoming as we shared about ourselves and learned about each other. There was much laughter to be had. We got to see so much on our journey that it is hard to put it all into words. Beautiful bays, amazing wildlife, shipwrecks, private beaches and so much more. What do you want to do today? Lay on the net and take a nap? Hang some hammocks and swing in the breeze? Float around on some rafts or swim? Give paddle boarding a try? Go to a private beach and sunbathe? Get scuba certified and go for a dive? How about a snorkel? Grab some lunch from a floating taco barge or stop in town for some shopping? Literally, anything that we wanted, they accommodated without question. I wanted to also point out that I personally, was a little reluctant about vacationing with two dogs on board a 47’ catamaran, but Daisy and Parker are so well behaved, they left an impression on our hearts. The day of my wife’s birthday, we were able to use the boat as our home and decorate it for her to feel special. That evening, Stef and Jake secured a special cake made just for my wife and we were all able to enjoy it. The cake was so big, that we enjoyed the other half the next day! Stef split it in half and flopped it down on the table for us to all to delve into and enjoy. Towards the end, we were all presented with a video of our vacation that highlighted our top moments and passed to us to keep this memory forever. I could drone on and on how amazing this whole experience was, but I will leave you with these final thoughts. This experience has ruined all my other resort travels in the future as this was so perfect, nothing would compare to having this experience again. We went on a vacation for that purpose. To disconnect, unwind, and relax. We came as guests, but we left with friends. Jake and Stef will now be ingrained in our lives forever and there is absolutely no doubt in my mind, we will be back to see them again and again, and again. This vacation is everything you make it. The more specific you are with them about your wants, needs, and desires, the more perfect they will make it for you.
Dave, Shana, Rick, Laura, Matt and Jess
March 2022
Family Scuba trip -CREW REVIEW from previous yacht
We had the most amazing trip thanks to Captain Jake and Chef Stef. They were perfect hosts, made us all feel welcome during our time with them, and were super fun to hang out with. Chef Stef cooked us delicious meals and paired them with fun cocktails and great wine. Captain Jake was an excellent scuba instructor and made sure we anchored near the best snorkeling out there. Both were attentive, patient, and made us laugh. We can’t wait to go back and would recommend this experience over and over again! There is truly nothing else like it.
Christmas 2021
The Gray Christmas Vacation - CREW REVIEW from previous yacht
Dear Stef & Jake,
This was hands down the best vacation I've ever been on, and I'm sure it will be tough to beat, unless we come back. We were welcomed into your home and guests, but I feel like you guys were long-lost family. I've never had so much fun and made so many memories in one trip. All of the activities were amazing. From the diving to eating, I'm leaving more spoiled than ever. There were beautiful sights everywhere I looked while diving, snorkelling, paddle-boarding, relaxing & hiking.
Stef, the food was some of the best I've ever had! And the fact that it was all homemade?! Amazing!
Jake, you are a great Captain but an even better dive instructor. I'm always going to remember those dives and my tiny Lionfish kill.
Daisy & Parker were the best behaved (and cutest) dogs I've ever been around, and they deserve all my love. I hope that you guys will remember us. I will always remember this incredible experience.
Until our next adventure, Gretchen Gray
June 20, 2021
"How do we thank you for such an amazing week? Your description is spot on, because we really do feel like y’all are part of the family now.
Thank you for a week of ridiculous food. My children would never eat those items for me. Quote of the week, “Stef has better spices”. I’m not kidding when I say you should write a cookbook! I would buy your first copy. I hope my kiddos will continue to eat well at home. I’m inspired!
You all created so many wonderful memories for us, with the bioluminescence, chair drop, games and sweet, sweet dogs.
My children have always loved the water and wanted to care for it, but I think they are leaving as true conservationists. They will take home what they have learned from you.
Thanks for building their confidence in the water. I never imagined Robert diving down to pick up something from the bottom.
Swimming with the dolphin was crazy! I couldn’t imagine doing that.
You really figured out the different personalities super quick and treated them each as individuals - playing to their strengths and making them comfortable. I’m so thankful you were able to be their dive instructor! That just made it more special.
Thanks for an incredible week."
Christmas 2019
Last minute Christmas Miracle - CREW REVIEW FROM PREVIOUS YACHT
Lela (Broker), I just wanted to say thank you for approaching my last minute, challenging situation with such a wonderful, positive, can do attitude. I don’t know if I would have followed through on this otherwise. My daughters and I are so happy here with Stef and Jake. Plus we left our snugly dog Paisley behind and Sarah loves their dog. We haven’t been this calm and peaceful in a couple of years. This is our first vacation together, just the 3 of us girls, and lying outside on the trampolines tonight looking at the stars with them both so happy is what I was hoping for. They are so excited to see what tomorrow brings after our first day of snorkeling, sailing, great food and a late night bio-luminescence swim. Thank you again. Peggy
