Author Archives: The Captain

We Thought We Would Buy a Catamaran

10-21-2019. 10-25-2019

Captain Bob,

My husband and I started our search several months ago for the perfect retirement plan, we thought we would buy a catamaran until we started seeing a better option, a trawler.

Captain Bob was our first choice to expand our knowledge of what we were looking for. We learned so,so much about trawlers, the food was healthy and very delicious, the Captains stories were very entertaining and the scenery was breathtaking.

Take a class and enjoy!

Thank you, Captain Bob!

Darren & Julie
Palmetto Ga.

A Trawler is a Big Investment

10-07 2019. 10-11-2019

Captain Bob

We have an open 19’ bow rider and we ran out of new experiences on the inland lakes. We are interested in a live aboard Trawler and cruising the Great Loop. We knew nothing about trawlers until we discovered Trawler School Charters. Captain Bob provided us with hands-on cruising and learning all about trawlers. We are so happy and thankful we came to trawler school before we tried to make our move into a trawler, we are much more knowledgeable and feel comfortable moving onto our next adventure. A trawler is a big investment and want to do it the right way. This was the most memorable experience of our life and lots of fun. Thank you Captain Bob!

Nick & Heidi
Massillon Oh.

Too Much to Mention

9-22-19 – 9-26-19

Captain Bob

A life time of trawler lessons learning laughing and having a great time, you can’t get any better than that. Your slogans on your site “Keep it simple” and “Where your education becomes a vacation” were right on.

What a great introduction and information that will give us some great years of Trawler Time!
Great lessons and advice on handling a trawler by ourselves. Your classes were so informative engines, electrical, electronic, navigation, anchoring, docking, insurance, surveys, finding and buying the right trawler, negotiating, single vs twin, plus a lot more, just too much to mention.

Thanks again lots of fun, lots of learning.
Chris & Jane
Lafayette LA

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

9-4-19. 9-7-19

Well,Well,Well, Captain Bob

How do we sum up 4 days 3 nights onboard the Miami Mermaid attending Trawler school?
Answer “AWESOME”

Completely unexpected- totally informative. We own a 35’ fast boat and getting ready to retire & cruise the great loop. So many questions, we feel great attending Captain Bob’s Trawler school. Anchoring in all those beautiful places, learning all the ropes, who could ask for more?

Captain Bob teaches you the good, bad & ugly. He lays all the ground work for us to make wise decisions and move along with our plans cruising the great loop with full confidence. We learned the best timing for trawler school is 3 – 5 years before retirement. Do not wait for the last minute.

Thanks for a great eye opening experience, we can now follow our dreams!

Thanks again Captain Bob.
Gary & Monique
Pompano Beach Fl

A Lifetime of Memories

August 18 2019. August 22 2019

Dear Captain Bob

By far the best Trawler School ever!!! We came to learn and the knowledge you provided was priceless. We enjoyed the 3 days 4 nights onboard The Miami Mermaid, we also appreciate your patience teaching us all about trawlers.

Captain Bob you are a great chef, the food you made was so delicious and healthy, we are looking forward to using your Japanese panko coating on our fish (grouper) at home,Yummy.

Tracy most favorite part was our graduation ceremony, you held nothing back. What great lifetime memories.

As for Joel he appreciated your insight on purchasing a trawler, from negotiating to contracts & survey’s… the info you provided was exactly what we were looking for.

Happy Trawlering.
Joel & Tracy
Wildwood MO.

The Right Training Matters

8-5-2019.           8-9-2019

Captain Bob or Cabin Boy Bob

Chris and I came to trawler school with no experience at all in boating. We found out that we can actually pilot a big trawler. The greatest compliment we can pay you is you cared that Chris and I got it right training from soup to nuts. You like to “Keep it SIMPLE “

Now here’s to Cabin Boy Bob your other role other than Captain it was very unexpected! Great dinners and a show!!!

I highly recommend Trawler School Charters for those who like the pleasure of slow cruising at 2 gallons per hour therefore making your long range cruising economical and enjoying the all the moments. You put the whole process of boating in perspective. We are ready…

Thank you
Chris and Sam
Sarasota FL

We Are Ready to Go Cruising!

7-21-19. 7-24-19

Captain Bob

Thanks for the most important boating class, we learned hands on training way more than we expected. We owned a 36’ 1985 Monk Trunk for a couple of years and needed to brush up on some maneuvering so we can go cruising with full confidence. I sailed for many years but wanted power boat lessons.

There it was, we found Trawler School Charters with Captain Bob In Dania Beach FL. So we booked trawler school and so glad we did. We bonded together and learned how to dock and do close-quarters handling, anchoring, navigating & engine and electrical classes. Now it is possible to use our training to use and enjoy our trawler with confidence, security, patience and understanding.

Dinners were very healthy and Captain Bob a wonderful cook.

Many Thanks
All the best & HELL YES we are ready to go cruising.

“Keep it simple”
Luck and Lauren
Naples Fl.

Learning to Be Patient

Dear Captain Bob,

You are definitely a special instructor we truly appreciate your keeping it simple on your classes and letting us navigate the Miami Mermaid by ourselves. We learned a ton about trawlering but most of all “being patient.” Donna Installed a 12v light socket on her own in the head, and Captain Bob was very impressed.

We plan on chartering trawlers on the west coast of Florida— different sizes and models till we find the right trawler. We will never forget all the fun and adventures we had onboard.

Captain Bob is a healthy gourmet cook. We will invite you to our house when it is finished. You can play volleyball! We just had one installed.

Thank you
Scott & Donna
Deerfield beach Fl.

Cut through the fluff

6-24-2019. 6-28-2019

Capt. Bob,

Thank you so much for teaching us the ins & outs of trawlers. We have learned so much about navigating, anchoring, docking, line handling & knots, woman overboard drill, sleeping on the Big beautiful Miami Mermaid. Let’s not forget the engine class!

Your delivery cut through the fluff and allowed us to learn the important things. Like you said, Keep it simple! We were under control of the helm all on our own. We will be using your lessons for years to come. See you down in Florida when we get our trawler. Can’t wait!

Michelle & Woody
Kingstree SC

I Wasn’t Looking Forward to Trawler School

6-26-2019. 6-31-2019

Dear Captain Bob

Thanks for a wonderful experience! You have set a high level when it comes to teaching. Keeping it simple is your slogan and that you did. As a result of spending time with you and experiencing living on a trawler for 4 days we have we came to the conclusion it would be much better if we chartered than buying a trawler due to our age and late retirement. We now have a graduation certificate from trawler school that includes all the classes we’ve done. Navigation, charts, chart plotter, engine class, electrical, anchoring and docking a 40’ single engine with one hand. We now have the certificate to send to the charter company of our 4 days of accomplishments!

I honestly was not looking forward to attending trawler school until I started it. I learned a lot about boating on my own and cruised around a lot, but Captain Bob showed me that I could learn a lot more. He is a great teacher. The Wednesday night musical game we played was very special it was the highlight of our trip it was lots of fun.

Just like you told us, women docking turns out to be 85% better than men— Shirley turned out to be 90% better!

Great food and Happy times
Good luck
Bob & Shirley
Covington KY