Tag Archives: trawler school charters

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

Docking the Boat, Blindfolded

Hi Captain

Wow, what a wonderful 4 days learning new skills. My wife and I feel a lot more confident chart plotting and over all boat handling. Betty was even able to dock the boat blindfolded and made it look easy after only 3 tries. We learned about buying a trawler and the use of a broker and financing a boat. We both feel like we are one step closer to buying a trawler. The scenery was fabulous and it was very relaxing being anchored out at several locations. Captain Bob was an excellent cook and really exceeded all our expectations.

Thank you
Ron & Betty
Greenwood, MS

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

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!

A Confidence Builder

This was a confidence builder. Now it is not “I think I can” but “I can!” The whole idea of learning that the boat is a trawling island that takes us to point A + B without necessarily docking, but anchoring was enlightening. The class sessions were very informative, just be prepared for an occasional “Hell No” or maybe even a “Hell Yes?”

We have learned much about “Captain Know-it-all” (chart-plotter) and how to depend on it with additional navigation skills that do not involve celestial navigation or longitude, latitude.

The anchorages were magnificent and normally quite quiet (we did experience some additional mosquito buzzing and a fire boat that visited the area way after hours). It was a great week that makes us anticipate our own adventure on our trawler! Thanks Captain Bob (oh, the food was wonderful and the cabin a delight – but those thanks go to cabin boy Bob).

We accomplished everything we wanted

February 8, 2012

Captain Bob – you are a hoot- your stories are worth the price, and the knowledge, tips, and confidence building, priceless, especially the simulated engine failure.

We enjoyed the food and friendship. Your manatee scrubbing was amazing – to see such a large, friendly sea creature beside our boat for 20 minutes was just amazing.

Despite a little rain we accomplished everything we wanted. Your tips on boat buying are invaluable. We have owned boats before and now wish we had met you first. Continued success in your trawler school.

Best wishes,
“Ruler” John and Pat

Thanks for showing us to stop & smell the roses

Dear Capt. Bob,

We had a fantastic experience with you on the Miami Mermaid. Thank you for giving us a real “hands-on” look at operating a trawler and navigating our way through the Intercoastal Waterway. We both feel like we learned so much. And we had fun, too! Thanks for showing us to stop & smell the roses. Your food was very good and very healthy, too. You’ve got a great thing going. We will speak of you fondly for many years! Thanks again for everything,

Captain Mark & “Sunshine”

Trawler School Charters: Learning the Art of Trawlering

Made port yesterday, Thanksgiving, after a great few days learning the “Art of Trawlering.” Capt. Bob does a great job of teaching you “what you need to know.” We have been contemplating the trawler lifestyle as a potential retirement option in a few years. This course was just what we needed to get a taste of what it is, and what it is not, plus gaining the confidence to go to the next step of a bareboat charter. The ports of call are great, and all offer a different aspect of trawler cruising.

The added treat of a fantastic Thanksgiving dinner at “Chez Susan” with all the trimmings and then some, was a great way to end up our adventure. We will definitely be making the next step toward out own “final solution!”

Thanks for everything! (Sorry about lightening your pockets after dinner!)

Take care Capt. Bob & Susan,

Roger & Lynn
Rochester, NY & Atlanta, GA
November 2010

To see the original log entry as written by the guests, click here