Captain Substitution: Breach of Contract, the First

My husband and I share a dream. We want to buy a boat and live aboard, cruising American waterways, visiting river communities. We want to take each other’s hand once more as we step into one more unknown--our last great adventure.

A few of our friends have shown great restraint. No one has asked, “Are you crazy?” Most have simply reminded us that we now live and have always lived in the Heartland. We don’t even sail or speed across the local lakes. We rarely venture into any waters except those in our showers.

You can imagine the relief our friends and family felt when we found http://www.trawlerschoolcharters.com, a web site advertising an actual school for the kind of boat we are interesting in purchasing. Everyone said, “You’re right” and “You’re smart.” Captain Robert L. Hamilton and Captain Fred Studwell’s school promises to help anyone become savvy buyers, capable of making a sound trawler purchase and of navigating one.

According to Captain Bob's own web site, this is what Trawler School Charters promises:

Our Concept: Where education becomes a vacation

·       We keep it simple. We will present information on the fundamentals of trawlers in a relaxed atmosphere, on board, as we cruise. This is your chance to take charge of the helm and receive practical experience. This is a hands-on clinic for trawler lovers, or simply those interested in learning more about trawlers.

·       By the time your trip is over, you will know as much about trawlers as we do. Remember, advanced knowledge is a buyer's best friend.  Over the past 4 years we have had many clients who completed our hands on training course and come away with a completely different outlook on how to archive their trawler dreams. They know what trawler to look for, how to find it and buy it right. Now they can fulfill their trawler dreams with confidence and skill.

Now offered only by Trawler School Charters at an affordable price

All inclusive NO Hidden Costs
Private Charter for Two Persons

Your Hosts Captain Bob Hamilton and Captain Fred Studwell. Captain Bob has sold hundreds of trawlers in the past and was the General Manager of Trawler Sales of South Florida, one of the largest trawler brokerages in North America. Captain Bob & Fred are also the co-author's of The ABC's of Trawlers   (A Trawler Buyer's Complete Guide). The ABC's of Trawlers is very popular for people looking for more information on trawlers. It is widely circulated in the Trawler community. We received hundreds of calls, e-mails and letters thanking us for introducing this wonderful source of basic trawler information. One of the most frequently asked and most daunting questions addressed to us throughout the years is: "Where can I charter a trawler before I buy one?" Or, "Where can I learn hands-on-only trawler training?"


Captain Bob & Captain Fred had an idea to introduce their concept and take it to the next level: keep it fun, educational, and exciting! You're on a private chartered vacation, complete with a hands on trawler school, during which you will receive hands-on practical experience and knowledge about buying trawlers, while enjoying all the comforts of a live aboard trawler vacation (try before you buy).


Oh, yes, the school sounds wonderful--just what two people like us might need, but Caveat Emptor! Let the buyer beware! The Trawler School is not what it appears to be online.


Full Disclosure #1. We never met Captain Bob or Captain Fred. Neither man was at the dock, on the boat, or represented when we reported for our “Vacation Education.” We were told that Captain Bob was vacationing in the Phillipines. Captain Fred was never mentioned. We met Captain Brian.


Breach of Contract #1. The contract that Captain Robert L. Hamilton forwards by e-mail reads in part:

The Captain, at his sole discretion, may cancel any voyage or charter, at any time, due to severe weather, unsafe conduct of the parties, mechanical failure or may use a substitute, Captain Fred Studwell if necessary.

Captain Robert L. Hamilton was not present. He did need a substitute, but that substitute was not Captain Fred Studwell, as contractually declared. The substitute captain was Brian who claims to have owned and operated a large dinner boat cruise for seven years and more recently, piloted large crafts for oil companies, including boats under contract to clean up the BP oil spill. He says that he earned as much as $140,000 annually and that he would not link his credentials to Captain Bob’s Miami Mermaid if there were many other better options for captains in these hard economic times.

Captain Brian also boasted about what he brings to the Trawler School, things that Captain Bob omits or does not understand. He furthermore declined to discuss how to buy a trawler on every occasion when my husband asked those questions. Captain Brian either did not know much about buying a trawler, or he would not discuss it unless off the boat and in a bar over drinks, the location for such a discussion that he recommended often.

Captain Brian also left two inexperienced people at the helm in the busy intercoastal waterway through Port Everglades for one of his hourly “engine checks,” after which he returned with another 16 ounce plastic cup full of orange juice or soda pop and alcohol (Yes, I sniffed the contents twice, once finding it plain Pepsi at 10:00 a.m. and later finding it an alcoholic beverage at noon.) By the afternoon of the short second day at sea, Captain Brian gave up the pretense of chewing gum or eating breath mints. His breath smelled of alcohol, and his behavior matched a man who has had too much to drink. We urged Captain Brian to cut the day short and return to the dock where we fled without seeking any on or off board advice about anything.

Tomorrow: The real state of the Miami Mermaid