Rescue at Sea, Engine Trouble, High Seas Adventure

Dear Captain Bob,

We would like to thank you and the whole crew: Cabin Boy Bob, Captain Know It All, Galley cook, tutor & The Miami Mermaid. Just a great fantastic experience, and eye opening adventure. Spending 4 days 3 nights in Trawler school, we covered navigating in both rough and calm water, high winds, rain & sunshine- we had it all! We encountered a fuel line problem but by reading The Diesel Engine, as Captain Bob recommended before attending trawler school, we were able to trouble shoot the problem in less than 10 minutes. We were off and running.

We were involved in a live ocean rescue, three Parasailing men clinging onto a floating device for over an hour after a collision. They were starting to cramp up, and saw a shark nearby, luckily for them we spotted them and went to the rescue, pulled them on board and brought them to safety.  We passed our (MOB) man over board lesson.

One of our stops was at Key Biscayne at No Name Harbor; we ate at a wonderful Cuban restaurant.  We ordered Grouper and Snapper for lunch, it was great. Having 4 hours to ourselves,  we went into town, Cheryl being a tennis fan went to the Biscayne Sony Open, all the big names were playing but unfortunately  we had no time to see a match, she was bummed.

Through your trawler school and live aboard experience, we have a much better feel for trawler living and lifestyle. Also a much better feel how to find and buy the right trawler that will be suited for us. My wife, Cheryl, kept asking Captain Bob the whole trip, “What’s that other boat doing out there, what’s the other boat doing out there?” Ha Ha. We had a lot of fun and hope to see you somewhere on the high seas. ‘Til then, smooth and easy cruising!

Thanks
Paul and Cheryl
Reno Nevada
“The high desert Yacht Club”

Man Over Board!

Our dearest Cabin Boy Bob

Wow! Thanks to a fantastic voyage, and oh yes, Trawler school. Tons of fun times and memories and trawler knowledge. Being a boat owner we learned more in 3 days than the last 30 years of boating. Great tips, jokes and a splash of Old Spice in the morning with Captain Bob, what a way to start the day. Happy to have introduced you to Radar Scope App now you’ll have the best weather information right on your I pad.

Never will we forget the great meals from the great chef himself. Your own fireworks display on Boca Chita Island, the ghost of Ms Honeywell, all the Dolphins (Miami Dolphins), Manatees and raccoons anchored in Jumbo’s Cut.

MOB (man over board) drill was exciting and yes we did save Wilson (Castaways).

Smooth Seas & light breezes.

James & Sallie S.
Richmond Va

Aka Thurston Howell III & Muffy

Docking in High Wind Conditions

Captain Bob,

Thank you for such a wonderful voyage. You taught us the concepts and safety of running a Trawler. The confidence we gained is now going to allow us to move forward to purchase a trawler, the part you taught us about purchasing a trawler was worth the cost alone. The instructions on docking in high wind conditions and our night maneuvers experience were real confidence builders.

We enjoyed the anchorage at the Marina Stadium overlooking the million dollar view of the Miami Skyline. The food was delicious and the master stateroom wonderful to sleep in. More fish jokes, Please! We loved them all. Amazing tales. Good luck in the future, your friends always.

Monte & Susie Z.
Key Largo Fl

Docking Blindfolded … What a Confidence Builder!

Dear Captain Bob,

Thanks for a great time and lots of learning and tips in the trawler school classes. We are sail boaters and really appreciated the hands on approach learning about trawlers, It was just the right combination while being underway. Actually living on board for a few days gave us the true experience of living aboard a trawler. The meals were great. It was like being on vacation while in school.

We are nervous docking our own boat but under the supervision and instructions on Captain Bob’s trawler made it so easy John even docked blindfolded, what a confidence builder.

We have chartered and stayed in many places, however, we saw so many beautiful anchorage’s here it was like finding paradise right under our own nose. The Manatee’s and Dolphin’s were a real treat to see. I appreciated the fact Captain Bob taught us the history of the area. The story of Mrs. Honeywell ‘s ghost was spooky and Boca Chica Island was where she lived was just absolutely breath taking.
As a professor, I go to a lot of student graduations each year but Trawler Schools graduation was the best ever.

John & Ann Marie T.
Aka the Professor and Ginger
Wilmington, NC

Overcoming a Blown Head Gasket – Twice!

2-13-14     Thru      2-15-14

Although a short trip, these 2 & 1/2 days were indeed memorable! With 40 years of sailboat experience, Gerri and I came with what we thought was a lot of knowledge. Captain Bob, you showed us a new world of Power – not just powerboats but your own personal power of intelligence and strength. We had a great tour of south Florida, seeing many things from the water for the first time. We had a great introduction to the world of “Stink Pots” and Trawlers. Overcoming a blown head gasket – twice – was awesome!!  Serving great meals was as well. Best of all was your own personality as you entertained us with your “Trawler Smarts”, your jokes and laughter.

As we were stuck in Hurricane Harbor with a blown head gasket, I couldn’t believe your troubleshooting skills and your personal strength to actually turn over that big engine and get it started!!!  Then at Sunset Marina, you did it again and you got us back to the Marina – AMAZING!!  Beyond the trip, your insights into trawler life and boat purchasing were well worth the price of admission!

All the best to the best,
Gerri & Ken
Potomac MD

Watch Your Wake, or You’ll Be Attending Your Wake

Dear Captain Bob                       2-9-14 —- 2-13-14

We had an amazing adventure on your trawler this past week, we would highly recommend your hands on training school to anyone looking to purchase a trawler now or in the future. We learned so much, and you are an excellent instructor when it comes to trawlers. Your hands on training, and leaving us at the helm ourselves, really made us very confident, not bad for someone with little boating experience! We’ve done it all: docking, anchoring, navigating, Diesel engine class, electrical, and most of all how to buy a trawler. Your 4 rules of the road, stay in your own lane, show your intent, the 360 degree rule and watch your wake or you’ll be attending your own wake. It worked. We made it back safe and sound. What a great cook! Overnight on the island of Boca Chita ( the best) anchoring at night in front of the amazing Miami skyline. Your little hide a way 100,000 BC cove. It was more than awesome! Thanks Captain Bob, many smiles as we look back.
Love
Jill & John W.
Phoenix, Arizona

The Awakening

Albert Einstein is quoted saying, “it’s the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and  knowledge”. We have had such a joyful week and you have taught not just knowledge, but true wisdom. We have learned so much this week and will never forget how you simplified the complex so that we developed skill and a sense of satisfaction in knowing that we will be safe, competent and relaxed in all of our future trawling adventures. There were so many firsts on this trip; learning about the operation of the Diesel engine, changing the engine oil, anchoring, docking, navigating as well as the art of purchasing a trawler. You took away our fear through your hands on approach, patience, kindness and your belief in us. Not only did we learn so much, we experienced and enjoyed beautiful anchorages, fantastic views, peaceful swimming spots, a slice of Florida history and great food and company. You are the supreme educator as you have the ability to breakdown the subject matter to what is meaningful and necessary so that the student is able to comprehend and put to use what has been taught to him or her. We loved your stories, your patience, your love for what you teach and your approach. Thank you for a week we will never forget, your trawler students and friends.

Byron and Diane R.
Naples FL

She Lost Her Trepidation

2-19-2014

Ahoy Captain Bob,

Just wanted to drop you a note to tell you what a great and life changing time Diane had last week aboard the Miami Mermaid. We have taken your advice and will charter a trawler this summer in Chesapeake Bay for two weeks. I wanted to thank you for the way that you inspired Diane to lose her trepidation and jump in and steer and dock the trawler. She loved it.

Thanks again and hope to see you in the future.

Kindest regards

Byron R.

We Had Never Been on a Boat Before

2-19-2014     ——-      2-23-2014

Hello again Captain Bob

We came up from Idaho with the thought of learning about trawlers. Keep in mind, we had never been on a boat before. We were nervous about being on the water. From the beginning Captain Bob made us feel comfortable with step by step instruction and encouragement. Everything was made simple, even we could understand it! We brought books on the Diesel engine and marine electrical, boy were we confused! Captain Bob explained everything with simplicity. The food was excellent and the scenery was just beautiful. The anchorages were great. We saw dolphins, manatees, and raccoons. The Miami Skyline at night was breathtaking! The trawler purchasing class was invaluable. We are now confident to begin using our new found skills and enjoying the high seas.

Thanks for everything!

John & Leah M
Kuna ID

Night Maneuvers and the Coast Guard

Trawler School Charters Review       Jan 23 2014

Captain Bob what a wonderful trip!  After eating a great meal, the next thing we know, we are at the helm going on night maneuver’s, how cool was that. It was pitch black out and we were on look out for any lights from other boats on the water, that’s when it all happened, all of a sudden, out of nowhere lights and sirens pounded us from 20 feet off our port swim platform we jumped a mile, talk about a slight heart attack, that was the moment. It turned out to be the Coast Guard doing there own night maneuver’s and they did there job real good. They asked us a few questions, shut off their lights and went off into the night looking for some drug runners & trust me that 28′ USCG boat and it’s crew owns the night “good job”. That incident made our trip one not to be forgotten, we are still talking about it.

We have read many Trawler books, navigation from A to Z,  it all seemed so complicated, well after just one day we learned to keeping it simple and use common boating sense. In no time at all, we acquired the skills to navigate on our own for the next two days, that’s right all by ourselves at the helm. “Big man” (Captain) your insight and wisdom made our trip a fantastic, fun and knowledgeable experience. Captain you gave us the confidence so we can now start to pursue our Trawler dreams.

One subject Trawler school charters offered that no other school had to offer was Captain Bob’s past brokerage experience. He taught us the in’s & out’s how to find, buy the different models to chose from Sundeck, Trunk, sedan or pilot house, what size will work for us, contracts & negotiations and everything you need to know about buying or chartering a trawler. We now are very knowledgeable buyers and able to buy the right trawler and save thousand’s of dollars just on this subject alone.

Captain, we will never forget all the stories about ghosts and songs from Franky, Dino & Bing. Let’s not forget about Mr. B. Ha Ha

We highly recommend Captain Bob and Trawler School Charters if you are thinking about buying a trawler now or in the future.

Thanks for everything…….

Rob & Juliet
NY, NY.