Tag Archives: bob hamilton

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

Our biggest fear was destroying the Miami Mermaid …

Hi Captain Bob,

Before we could leave to catch our plane from Grand Rapids to Ft Lauderdale we had to shovel the previous nights three inches of snow from our sidewalks. It was 25 degrees, we drove to the airport and three hours later we stepped off a plane to 75 degree bright and sunny weather in Ft. Lauderdale, the trip was already a success.

Then we met Captain Bob. After being on board our first night, we already learned so much that we could not imagine we would not be able to retain everything. My wife was so overwhelmed with information that I actually think I heard her say I’ll never ask Mark to put the seat down again! But we became more comfortable as the night went on, we learned more about the water system on board. The details were incredible. I think we started to drive Captain Bob crazy with all our questions, since most of them were not about the topics he was talking about. Then, his Marine Corps training kicked into place and he would get us back on track. For me, it was like being trained by my older brother.

The trip really began the next morning. Early classes followed by taking charge of the helm ourselves. Our biggest fear was destroying the Miami Mermaid but after six hours later we were comfortable navigating with no problem.

Boca Chita Island was awesome. We had our docking lessons here and our fears began to recede, as we became better and better bringing a 40 footer dockside. No damage done! In fact we were the first one’s to dock blindfolded and that we did it. Wow!

Our next day was gunk holing in and out of harbors, we became more and more efficient at navigating, keep in the white cause white is right. That night we anchored and rode out an incredible storm. We felt tremendous fear at first but Captain Bob talked us through and it all worked out perfectly.

The trip back to the Miami Mermaid’s home dock seemed like a breeze. We took the helm and brought her home. We felt comfortable at the wheel and on the charts. We no longer had fear of causing damage.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience’s with us. Yours is a life “well lived”!

Mark & Chantal
Grand Rapids MI