Author Archives: The Captain

Just What the Doctor Ordered

Captain Bob.                           6-20 — 6-25-16

We found our trip with you and Wilma to be an excellent learning experience, especially for the novices we are. Your trawler training school enabled us to see & to not only read and wonder.  Hands on training was just what the doctor ordered.

Your easy-going teaching style allowed us to become comfortable while making mistakes, and learning while having fun. It took us a bit to overcome the language barrier… Texan’s vs Bostonian… But you did improve “car not carrrr.” Saving poor Wilma (your first mate blow up doll, used for your woman over board drills) was very exciting and informative.

Thank you for the great opportunity and we will honk as we pass by you on our trawler, the cruising grounds are outstanding  we shall return, eventually.

Thank ya, Thank ya, Thank ya
Two tall Texans
Somewhere in Tx.

The Worst Part Was Capt. Bob’s Cooking

5-9 – 5-12-2016

Thank you so much for the fantastic trip. We learned far more than we thought we would in such a short amount of time. The worst part was Captain Bob’s cooking, it was better than mine and now I have to hear about it.

Your knowledge of trawlers is so extensive and your warm personally made the trip very enjoyable.
Best Wishes  & Blessings,
Allison & Phil
Orlando FL

We Stayed an Extra 3 Days

4-30 — 5-7-2016

Captain Bob,
Thank you for a wonderful week of learning about the trawler world and all your morning wonderful fish jokes to get us going. It was most helpful for Diane and I to embark on our next phase. Even staying on your trawler in fierce thunderstorms was very exciting, relaxing & informative. I will never forget using a small seashell to get our air condition unit working Captain Bob was impressed. The intercostal water way was very protected and Susan was just fine with that.

Captain Bob can whip up a tasty meal with nothing but a few spices and a pot and pan.
We learned in one of our classes to charter different models and sizes until we are ready to buy, or keep chartering, a good piece of advice until retiring.

We stayed 3 extra days in the marina on the ocean. Captain Bob offers a B&B on The Miami Mermaid for $100 per night and it made our vacation convenient and affordable and a great location with lots to do.

Donald & Diane
Boston MA

Nothing Like Living Aboard for 4 Days

Ahoy Captain Bob,

I guess it’s O-Fish-El your fish jokes were killing us “how do you talk to a shark? Long distance. O boy Captain…

Captain Bob says we can handle a trawler on our own now that we passed trawler school. We’re confident we can also. My wife and I were considering a trawler for retirement in 5-10 years. This educational vacation gave us even more to think about. It’s so helpful to to actually live aboard for 4 days with someone who lives the trawler life. We were able to absorb a part of Captain Bob’s vast knowledge and experience. The Mermaid is a solid, safe and well maintained trawler. The weather was perfect, the scenery was beautiful, the fish jokes were… you must hear them for yourself. Captain Bob’s cooking was fantastic.

Thanks Captain Bob! We look forward to future chartering on our own until the day were ready to retire and buy our own trawler. Thanks again for the memorable, enlightening trip.

Captain Scott & Admaril Vicky
Manitowoc, Wisconsin

Not Just for Newbies

3-25 – 3-28-2016

Wow!! I learned so so much. It was a  “no nonsense” learning experience. Very practical, hands on training, hundreds of tips. Capt. Bob is a great teacher and I’m a retired teacher and I know what I’m talking about. Even though I’ve owned a 44′ Marine Trader for two years, I needed some training. Trawler school is both educational and full of confidence building. This trawler school is not just for Newbies.

Thanks Captain Bob
Ron S Sarasota Fl

Dear Capt. Bob
Having a Brithday is one thing but my brother in law taking me along to trawler school as a birthday gift is another. One of the best brithday gifts ever. Learning all types of things about trawlers is something special – especially training at 60, you provided much needed attention to details and proving you’re never to young or old to learn.

Thank You Captain Bob for your time and patience – I will never forget you or this trawler experience.

Sincerely Gary S
Sarasota FL

We Want to Live on a Trawler

3-20-16       3-24-16

Captain Bob,

We want to live on a trawler – but what baby boomer doesn’t? We were looking to get some hands on training and searched the Internet, Captain Bob’s trawler school came up everywhere and he’s been teaching for over 10 years, he has the best informative site … so we decided to attend his school.

I (Beau) was nervous and now I can read a chart, use a chart plotter, plot a course, navigate and dock a single engine 40′ trawler, just to name a few things our patient and smart teacher Captain Bob taught us.

We will now be on our quest on finding a trawler now that we are armed with knowledge.
I (Tim) also learned a lot about trawlers and a real hands on training course. Ate very well, we shared stories and music, we had more fun than we had in a long time. We picked the right trawler school.

Thanks Captain Bob
Tim & Beau B
Sharon VT

Anchoring, Docking, Engine Class & A Vacation

March 13 – 20, 2016

Shiver me timbers Captain Bob! What a great adventure. Accommodations great! Mermaid tour and orientation a hoot.

Right off the bat Meg took hold of the helm. A real confidence builder, away we go. We went to many beautiful anchorages on our 3 day 4 night trawler school cruise.

Our stow away night we anchored in North Bay. We dinghied to Hollywood beach boardwalk and had a blast. Next day, exploring Biscayne Bay and the Fl Keys to Boca Chita island for an overnight stay. We did not want to leave. Off to No Name Harbor, Hurricane Harbor, a million dollar view of the Miami skyline at Marine Stadium, great overnight anchorage. Our last morning we visited an off-the-beaten path hidden sea pond. It was like going back to 100,000 BC. Then, back to the dock. What a trip!

Some of our adventures included a transmission over heating we learned to put on a overheat alarm. It saved the engine from burning up.

Line wrapped around the prop. Captain Bob keeps an air tank on deck with a portable air hose and regulator, another good idea. He dove in and we were off and running in less than 10 mins.

We will never forget Wilma, his blow up doll, dressed up in her bathing suit, sun glasses, anchor hat… When we were at the helm Wilma went over board. We had to go rescue her on our woman over board drill. I went to fish her out and a 5′ Bull shark was swimming under her. I pulled her in just in time. Sorry Mr. Shark.

We took up Captain Bob’s offer for his B&B for three days at $100.00 per night all the hotels, motels were over $250.00 If you could even find one on the ocean, they were all booked up! The marina location was excellent. Right on the ocean and lots of things to do. Like the trawler school slogan reads, “keep it simple” and “where an education becomes a vacation.” What a wonderful vacation!

We own a 27′ Nordic Tug and learned so, so much we cannot wait to use all we learnt, especially anchoring, docking, and our engine class. Please, do not miss this experience.

Thank you
Sam & Meg C.
Deep Creek MD

Trawler Handling & Cruising Lifestyle 101

2-8 — 2-12- 2016

Captain Bob,
We came aboard hoping to learn if we could handle a life aboard a trawler, both the handling of the trawler itself and the lifestyle . We learned a great deal about how to do both. We appreciate your patience and amusing teaching style along with your willingness to share your many years selling 100’s of trawlers experience on buying and owning one.  Keep up the bad fish jokes ha ha. We have a great time and the food was excellent.

Mike & Jane B
Plano,TX

Great Balance of Instruction & Enjoyment

2-18 — 2-22- 2016

Dear Captain Bob,

What a great trawler adventure! We came to you to experience the trawler lifestyle. Honestly, I think Rick just wanted to be sure I could handle life on the water. We both came away with a more expansive knowledge of how to proceed with our dream of owning a trawler, with a better sense of confidence in operating any boat.

The trip you provided gives a great balance of instruction and enjoyment allowing us time to learn and also to experience hidden hideaways (anchorage) that would never have found on our own.

We feel honored to have spent your 61st birthday cruising with you even though you cooked a wonderful meal for us. We leave this fish joke with you.

What is a sharks favorite Bible story????
Noah’s Sharks.

Thanks for everything!
Rick & Jennifer E.
Pell City, AL

Boating Novice Docks Boat Blindfolded

3-1–3-5-16

Great experience Captain Bob!
Bob was able to explain all the subjects in plain English and made it very easy to understand. Like his advertisement reads “let’s keep it simple” and that he did. I learned a new respect for handling the Miami Mermaid and boating in general. I would highly recommend this Trawler school. When we started off I had no clue on boating. This experience has given me the confidence running and buying a trawler.
Marc C
Lowell Ma

The Captain showed me so much in just a few days, and he sure kept it simple. Being a total novice I returned at dock much more confident. It was lots of fun and bonded with my old friend Mark. We went to some wonderful spots. I ended up docking his 40′ single trawler blindfolded! I feel like I can dock any boat after that lesson. I highly recommend Captain’s Bob’s Trawler school. Check it out it’s worth the trip, cruising Miami and the Fl Keys. I like his all-inclusive school, no hidden cost.
Dan K
Billerica MA