January 5 – 8, 2009
We had an enjoyable cruise and learned a lot. Captain Bob has his own unique and inimitable teaching style!
We had planned to attend Trawler Fest in Stuart later this month, but our plans were preempted by Obama’s inauguration, to which we scored tickets at the last minute from our congresswoman. We will instead attend Trawler Fest in San Diego in February.
While dining at aptly-named Hurricane Harbor, we were caught by a surprise squall. Captain Bob expertly maneuvered us through Biscayne Bay to the safety of Marine Stadium north of the Rickenbacker Causeway.
An unforgettable experience. Thanks for all your hard work and good humor!
Sean and Louise – full-time RVers.
January 12 – 16, 2009
As we wanted to make the “America’s Great Loop” in two years, we decided that before buying a trawler we should attend the Trawler School. This was one of the best decisions we have taken while planning this common project of ours.
So, thank you to Capt. Bob for teaching us the anchorage, the mechanical demonstration, and the night navigation with all these flashing red, green, and yellow lights.
We appreciated also the stories about his experience while navigating all over places.
This was a great experience for us. We learned enough to give us confidence to navigate in our future charter.
Thank you, Luc & Jocelyne – French Canadians
January 23, 2009
Great advice regarding trawlers. Unbelievable way to navigate. Captain Bob needs to start a video trawler school to carry his message to thousands in addition to the few that have been able to take his great school. Thanks for the opportunity to learn from the greatest!!
Ed & Mary – Woodstock, MD
January 27 – 29, 2009
Capt. Bob,
We have enjoyed the 2 day, 3 night cruise and trawler school. I know we have tested your patience during this time, but you made it thru. We learned quite a few things we weren’t sure about and now feel we could charter almost anywhere with confidence. Your instructions and on the job training was very professional and well presented.
Thanks, Bill and Mary – Wilmington, NC
February 2 – 5, 2009
Captain Bob,
Thank you for the learning and the patience. You have brought many topics to our attention we had not considered- decisions, decisions, decisions.
Although we experienced record cold temperatures, we still believe owning a trawler can be in our future, but we are not sure about the “pirate ship.” Chartering a trawler and trying a week or two on our own is a great idea and will be our next step.
Sorry you have not been feeling well, hope you feel better next week. Take care. We will stay in touch.
Dorothy and Bob
February 13 – 16, 2009
Captain Bob,
Great guy, great course, great cruise. Amazing amount of solid, practical information and wisdom. All the time we kept saying and thinking “Got to get this right, it’s very important.” One critical benefit that became clear and turned out to be the most important feature for us was your ability to tailor the course to our experiences and needs.
Yummy meals, excellent teacher, good fun …. Except the keel hauling ….
Dave & Nancy – Ithaca, NY
Captain Bob,
Our experiences were more than we hoped for. Many valued lessons will be great assets through our remaining years boating.
Wishing you the best!
February 20, 2009
Captain Bob,
We had a fantastic time. You have been a great teacher. I can’t begin to tell you how much we have learned on our trip. I think you should also be called Chef Bob. We both at elike a queen and a king. Thank you so much for everything. For me you have taken the fear out of boating. What a fun vacation. We will always remember Captain Bob. Please come and visit us anytime. Our door is always open.
Dave & Lisa – Tarpon Springs, FL
February 26, 2009
What a unique and wonderful experience. I can hardly believe how much I’ve learned and the hands-on practice has boosted my confidence tremendously. The choices of anchorages perfect. “Jimbo’s” was never to be forgotten. Our evening entertainment was very “enlightening” and the food was delicious.
Thank you for a special experience.
Elaine “Anchor Woman” and George – West Palm Beach, FL
March 5, 2009
4 wonderful days in my book, learning how to do it right. I have owned small boats all my life, but learned important new stuff from you every day. Wonderful trip exploring the area and staying in beautiful places like Boca Chita. I’ll find out what that means and let you know. Also liked how we had to work through a couple of minor urgencies – remember when you realized we had no reverse? Paula and I ate like royalty, especially liked the large whole fish and Florida lobster. Can’t wait to do a bareboat charter. First time on a trawler – great experience. Lots of great information that will help us in the future. Looking forward to a bareboat experience – now this seems very doable.
Thanks! Had a great time.
Carey & Paula – Irmo, SC
We had a wonderful week. Beautiful scenery, great weather. From the prairies, we don’t see too much water, just lakes and rivers – nothing to compare to this.
Navigating was a little tough for me but I will work on that. Tig loved driving the boat and learned a lot – slow is the key.
Meals were outstanding, putting together gourmet meals in a small kitchen- we all need to learn from that.
Thank you so much for your hospitality, knowledge, stories, patience, and best of all your boat.
We wish you well Captain Bob.
Carol & Tiger – Calgary, AB, Canada
March 13 – 16, 2009
We didn’t know what to expect! The three day trip was a real eye-opener. The experience and knowledge of Captain Bob, aka “Master Chef” is second to none!
We learnt so much and “El Capitan” made everything so easy to understand with no mystery or magic.
We were made welcome the minute we stepped on board and the food was “beautiful!!”
A BIG Thank you!! to Captain Bob.
John & Sandy – Florida & UK
March 20, 2009
High seas adventures as we rushed to the hospital at the end of day in stormy skies. Good thing they didn’t have to remove my hand! Now you know all you need to know about a broken wrist.
Have a great time at Jimbo’s 82nd Party and remember “to err is human, but to arrr is pirate!”
“Every man is my superior in some way, in that, I learn of him.” Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Thanks for sharing your superior viewpoint on practical boating! Lots of fun and educational!
By the way, did we mention the great food?
Max & Bob – Atlanta, GA
March 23 -27, 2009
Great learning experience. Very informative and Captain Bob is a great cook. Got to see some places that we would never have found on our own. Thanks for the great week.
Steve & Gladys – Corinth, ME
May 7, 2009
What can I say – Capt. Bob – captain, teacher, chef, teacher, pirate, everyone’s man!
He teaches by experience – learn on your own “walk the plank if you screw up” which I did, but he is merciful, he did not bill me for my klutz-man-ship. Fun, fascinating, beautiful, adventurous, whether you charter, own or never use a trawler again. A great guy, a great experience.
Brian & Diane – Lancaster, PA
March 27 – 30, 2009
I would say we all had different expectations of what this trip would be like and each day our expectations converged toward the possibility of owning a boat as something we might really do.
We came with our 16 year old son and the Captain made us all feel comfortable using the navigation equipment and driving the boat. My son and husband were comfortable and by our final night I could actually see us doing this boating thing again.