Suggestions for a trawler course

[ruth 1960]

We are looking for a 3-4 day trawler course to learn the basics before we buy Any suggestions?

[dannc]

Ruth, you might also want to search and ask on the Trawler Forum, https://www.trawlerforum.com/ since that site is more focused than CF which is mostly sail boat related.

If you have not attended a Trawler Fest, I would encourage you to do so. There are some people/companies that attend the show that offer these services and you can talk to them in person.

Later,
Dan

[ruth 1960]

Thank you Dan!

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Ruth.

[mvweebles]

Originally Posted by ruth 1960

We are looking for a 3-4 day trawler course to learn the basics before we buy Any suggestions?

1. Definitely suggest you consider Trawler Fest if you haven't already. They do not have a liveaboard training, but is a good indepth experience where you can customize your experience via different seminars.


2. Chartering. Most of the charter companies will assign a captain for you for as long as you want. After a day or two, chances are you will be comfortable enough to head off on your own without the captain. Prime trawler-charter grounds are in PNW - Anacortes WA. But there is also a few others around the country such as Southwest Florida charters, I believe out of Ft Myers on the Gulf coast (I know nothing of them, so not an endorsement).



3. Crewed Charter. Nordhavn lists several boats that are crewed charters, though there are others too. https://nordhavn.com/resources/charters/


4. Sea Sense. Operated by a pair of captains (both women), Sea Sense has been teaching people beginning boating skills for 20+ years. They know how to teach you what you need to know. So an option would be to charter a boat and hire one/both of their captains to fly to you. Or ask about their next charter/training course - either take berths on that, or ask about extending their charter for an extra few days for you to have private instruction. They really are the best in the business. Also, if you are the typical cruising couple where the man has the passion and the woman is a bit luke-warm, they do all-women courses that are simply superb at building confidence.



Good luck -



Peter
(ex owner SeaSkills Yacht Delivery/Trawler Training)

[mvweebles]

1. Definitely suggest you consider Trawler Fest if you haven't already. They do not have a liveaboard training, but is a good indepth experience where you can customize your experience via different seminars.

2. Chartering. Most of the charter companies will assign a captain for you for as long as you want. After a day or two, chances are you will be comfortable enough to head off on your own without the captain. Prime trawler-charter grounds are in PNW - Anacortes WA. But there is also a few others around the country such as Southwest Florida charters, I believe out of Ft Myers on the Gulf coast (I know nothing of them, so not an endorsement).

3. Crewed Charter. Nordhavn lists several boats that are crewed charters, though there are others too. https://nordhavn.com/resources/charters/

4. Sea Sense (https://seasenseboating.com). Operated by a pair of captains (both women), Sea Sense has been teaching people beginning boating skills for 20+ years. They know how to teach you what you need to know. So an option would be to charter a boat and hire one/both of their captains to fly to you. Or ask about their next charter/training course - either take berths on that, or ask about extending their charter for an extra few days for you to have private instruction. They really are the best in the business. Also, if you are the typical cruising couple where the man has the passion and the woman is a bit luke-warm, they do all-women courses that are simply superb at building confidence.

Good luck -

Peter
(ex owner SeaSkills Yacht Delivery/Trawler Training)

[dannc]

Originally Posted by ruth 1960

Thank you Dan!

Welcome.

You can also look at local Power Squadron classes. We have yet to take any but only because of scheduling issues.

We have taken ASA classes that were excellent. Wish I had taken them decades ago. Even though you are talking about a trawler, much what is in the ASA classes apply to trawlers and sailboats.

Later,
Dan