Tom and Bonni Funkhouser                

 Tom Funkhouser has taught math and science for 20 years at the middle school and high school levels. He earned a B.S. in Biology at Stanford University in 1972 and a Master's Degree in Marine Biology from the University of California, Santa Barbara, in 1976.

Bonni Funkhouser has been a charter boat skipper, cruiser and sailing instructor for 30 years. She received her U.S. Coast Guard License at the age of 21, and she currently has a 100-ton certification.

Both Tom and Bonni are certified PADI divers. For 10 years they gathered experience aboard their sailing yacht Bojima, in the waters off St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. They moved to Mill Valley, California, in 1985, where they live with their 17-year-old twins, Scott and Heather.

References are available upon request.

The Yacht

The new 50 foot Beneteau sailing yachts are managed by The Moorings, the most prominent charter boat company in the world. With a reputation as a safe, stable, high-performance vessel, it is impeccably maintained and fully equipped, including GPS (Global Positioning System) and a CD player, of course. It has an enormous cockpit, four master staterooms, a forward cabin, five heads and a galley.
                                           

 

    Moorings 505 (Beneteau 50)

                                      LOA     49' 10"       5 DOUBLE BERTHS
                                      BEAM   14'  9"       5 HEADS   

Cruising Cuisine

Recognizing that sailing and snorkeling generate a healthy appetite, we specifically design meals for young sailors. Cooking for groups of 11 is no problem. Tom and Bonni owned a small restaurant while in the Caribbean, and the galley is well-equipped with a refrigerator/freezer, an oven, a three-burner stove, and a stern pulpit barbecue where we grill freshly caught fish. We purchase local organic fruits and vegetables at the public market, and healthy, nutritious snacks are available throughout the day.

Supervision

This coeducational program is designed for young people ages 13 to 17, and we offer two boats per session, one for girls and one for boys. Each yacht can accommodate nine students, and each cabin is occupied by two students. They learn to sail the boat and operate the dinghy under guidance, becoming reliable and indispensable members of the crew. With ExploraMar's owners aboard -- skilled, experienced professionals who serve as teachers and skippers -- they will get the maximum fun and adventure from their educational journey.

Safety as a Priority

Tom and Bonni are certified by the American Red Cross in both first aid and CPR. Constant daytime radio monitoring and cellular phone contact assures us of professional service when necessary. Additionally, if some unforeseen problem occurs while cruising, a 23-foot, high-speed chase boat operated by The Moorings will be dispatched. The buddy system is always employed while snorkeling and on shore, and confidence in safe sailing techniques is a primary objective.