Tag Archives: Capt. Bob Hamilton

No Fear!

1-29-2017.             2-2-2017

Captain Bob,

What a great time! We learned a lot, from flybridge to master stateroom & from bow to stern. Docking, you made you lessons so easy for us we can now dock a 40′ single engine trawler without any fear.

Rules of the road, diesel engine class was a blast, air, water and fuel. Electrial, 110vt/12vt shore power, generator, inverter and alternators 50amp & your special 150amp for charging all you house batteries.

I listened and I learned.

Captains Bob’s cooking is very healthy and delicious. Participating in the 14th annal Groundhog Day 6:00am celebrating with over a 100 people on Hollywood beach. People were dressed in tuxedos, top hats, and there was a big dressed up groundhog. We all took a dip in the ocean after the event, what a big plus to our wonderful trip we will never forget the sunsets and all the fantastic anchorages.

Well done Captain Bob
Mark & Jannette B
Croton-on-the Hudson NY

Now I Don’t Feel Guilty About Not Reading Passagemaker

Captain Bob,

Thank you so much for an awesome trawler adventure! Our stops were beautiful, each in their own way. We feel we saw many different venues in such a short period of time. The food was not only delicious, but very healthy. I’d like to point out , the accommodations on the Miami Mermaid were clean and comfortable.

Captain Bob truly gave us a wealth of information that will help us with our future trawler plans. Now, after attending trawler school, I don’t feel guilty about not reading all the Passagemaker trawler magazines. This was our first time underway on a trawler, what a great learning experience!

We were very pleased with the exchange of ideas on the positive and negative aspects of the different models of trawlers to choose from. How to use the buying process, and find the right trawler was a subject that will save us time and money.

I think Captain Bob will always remember us because we left our car keys on board ,and when we landed and went to our car (oh oh) no keys. We had to take a train home that cost us another hour of our time. We called Captain Bob and he found the keys and over nighted them, we had our car for the next day. So if your reading this please don’t forget your keys on the Miami Mermaid.

Many Thanks
Cathleen & JB
Alpharetta Ga

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

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

A Vacation with an Education

We have a 24′ deck boat and we are thinking of getting a bigger one, but needed to learn more. We learned so much from Captain Bob!

We feel much more comfortable reading charts and using Captain know it all GPS Chart plotter. Captain Bob’s style of teaching is very informative and entertaining. While we were unlucky with the weather, Captain Bob adjusted his normal schedule to make the best of our trip by going into protected areas. Wow, the trip to Boca Chica was just beautiful, we felt like we were in the Caribbean! The skyline of Miami was incredible. While this was a trip to learn, it turned out to be a vacation with an education. Captain Bob’s course was wonderful, but his friendship was even better.

Ron & Julie
Northfork, VA

17 ft. Cuban Raft Discovered Adrift off Elliot Key, FL

A Dania Beach charter captain discovered a large well equipped 17′ Cuban raft filled with provisions and equipped with a 4 cylinder Russian diesel engine off of Eliot Key on Wednesday, May16th, 2012.

Captain Bob Hamilton, on board the Miami Mermaid, owner of Trawler School Charters, a boat handling Trawler school based in Dania Beach, FL,

Cuban raft adrift off Elliot Key, found by Capt. Robert Hamilton.

Cuban raft adrift off Elliot Key, found by Capt. Robert Hamilton.

was not sure whether anyone was still on board the obviously homemade craft when he first encountered it at a distance. Hamilton believes that at least 11 people used the raft to sail to Florida. According to Hamilton, there were 8 adult sized oars, 2 child sized oars and a baby basket on the craft. There was also canned food and 15 gallons of diesel fuel, 10 gallons of water, hypodermic needle’s and a IV bag on board. The location was reported to the USCG and pictures of the raft were e-mailed. “The passenger on board obviously planned well for their voyage” and either unloaded on a Fl Key Island or picked up by another boat for hopefully a safe arrival for all on board, said Hamilton.
Capt. Bob Hamilton of Dania Beach, FL finds Cuban raft adrift off of Elliot Key, FL.

Capt. Bob Hamilton of Dania Beach, FL finds Cuban raft adrift off of Elliot Key, FL.

I was Reluctant, My Husband was Gung-Ho 4-10-2012

Capt. Bob – what a character! And pirate! And teacher!

This was an amazing way to learn about being on a boat. I was reluctant- my husband was gung-ho so we found Capt. Bob and scheduled our trip. I am confident we can charter a boat in many locations to build our knowledge and experience.

He uses a great teaching technique – show you, let you do it, corrects you when necessary. Invaluable if you are going to go it alone.

The scenery was beautiful. He is a good cook, and allowed us time to be alone which made it feel like our boat and our time. We especially enjoyed the sunset and the skyline of Miami.

Ask lots of questions. He is a WEALTH of information and his knowledge is invaluable.

Thanks for a fabulous 4 days Capt. Bob!

Tricia & Scott “Ferg”
Keene, NH

1. Stay in your own lane
2. Be a Cock a doodle doo
3. 360 – look around
4. Wake – turn into it @ 45 degrees. Look OVER YOUR SHOULDER FIRST!