TESTIMONIALS

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   "In the few months since you left us at the Charleston Megadock in May, we have gone over 3000 nm., docked at 34 different marinas, experienced 29 different anchorages, 8 moorings, and checked off quite a few bucket list items.  

   We are enjoying this cruising lifestyle more than we ever could have imagined... and we could not have done it all without you!"

Rochelle Loeb

M/V Alliance, N57-21

"This is the third time I have hired Bernie Francis. This time I hired him for a passage from North Palm Beach, Florida, USA across the Atlantic to Gibraltar. He very conscientiously and dependably planned, prepared and executed the passage. If this passage was an uneventful and successful one it was due for a large part to Bernie Francis extensive experience in the maritime field and in particular in the yachting field. Bernie is a highly proficient skipper and knows the Nordhavn Yachts inside out. If he needs clarification concerning systems on the boat he always knows where to get the answers."   

I would not hesitate to recommend Bernie Francis.   

Any interested party may contact me anytime for further references. 

André de Weldige-Cremer Owner of Motor Yacht ANGELA,N55-34  ​​​  ​

(Andre was a member of the NAP 2017 fleet. Andre and Oxana live in Belgium and cruise Angela in Africa and Europe) 

 "My husband, Bob, and I purchased our Nordhavn 50 (N50-09) at the end of July.  We’ve owned smaller boats for many years, so moving to a 50 was a step up for us in the knowledge and skills needed to successfully operate the boat and maintain its many systems.  We contracted with Captain Bernie Francis to provide hands-on training as we traveled from Stuart, FL, to Key West.  Bernie spent a total of eight days with us, during which he provided non-stop training, skills-building, and knowledge transfer."         

   "Because our “new to us” boat is actually 20 years old and apparently had been spending most of its time at a dock, our trip to the Keys exposed several equipment issues, including the alternator locking up, which left us dead in the water.  We were thankful to have Bernie on board to help us troubleshoot each problem and get them resolved.  Bernie even installed a new bilge pump at 6:00 AM when we were trying to get an early start but discovered an issue with the low water bilge pump."         

   "Bernie’s time with us ended when we reached Key West (actually Stock Island).  Our “final exam” from our training with Bernie was to complete the next leg of our trip, from Key West to Bradenton, FL, on our own.  I’m happy to report that we successfully planned our routes, anchored, dodged crab traps, checked tides and currents, and completed the many other tasks needed on a passage.  Oh, and of course, I can now tie a bowline."      

    "If you’re a new Nordhavn owner, or even one just needing some skills brush up, I highly recommend Bernie and the training he provides."

 Anita Dahlstrom

Isla Bonita, N50-09  

   “Nancy and I both wanted to express our sincere thanks for all of your training lessons, parts sourcing, operating tips and camaraderie over the past 10 days.

   We now know why everyone who purchases a Nordhavn wants you as their training captain!

   Neither of us knew what to expect at the beginning of the week. Your step-by-step incremental approach to training has given us both a great deal of confidence! We are anxious to get back on the water this weekend to practice the skills you taught us.

   We were amazed by the various boating tips and tricks that you shared. The tip of turning hard to starboard to help water drainage on the foredeck after anchoring. So clever! Ipad and Iphone tips as well!

    Above all we are comforted to know that we have hired you for life, and will gladly provide rave reviews to any of your future clients. Getting to know you was certainly a highlight of our training period."

Charles and Nancy Bassing

M/Y Bluewater, N47-32

    "Just letting you know we have sold Ramblin’ Rose to a new owner. I just wanted to thank you for your service over the years, You were the most reliable resource I found in the entire yacht industry." 

Roger Goldinggay

M/Y Ramblin' Rose, N55-16.

   Thank you again. I woke up today feeling like I will get a handle on what I need to know, to eventually effectively captain this vessel, thanks to you. I have been through training in the airlines my entire adult life and I have never had an instructor that was as knowledgeable and conscientious as you. I can't thank you enough!! I also thought about your charge for your service and think it is entirely too little.

Thanks again,

Doug Poletti,

Slip Side, N43-35

   "We hired Captain Bernie Francis too.  My goal, when he was aboard for six days, was to wear him out.   I wanted him to beg to go to bed at night, but I met my match.  He hung in there.  Our boat was better organized, understood, and operated with him aboard.  Marlene and I changed roles for some maneuvers, based on Bernie's input.   I recently have been backing into some fairways and slips and all went well.  The main point is that Bernie helped Marlene and me have a more defined, meaningful role maneuvering the boat. We all are grateful for his instructions." 

Brian Lewis,

Egret N4674 

   "Thank you Bernie!! We accomplished so much!! You are a fantastic trainer, resource, and all around fun guy to hang out with. Your positive and energetic attitude made even things like changing the oil fun. I know, I’m not supposed to say that it was fun... But it was, from start to finish."  

  "We are anchored in Honeymoon cove, for the second day, and absolutely love it. We’re anchored securely and the snubber is working great. There are dolphins swimming around the boat as I write."  

  "It’s very satisfying to have the boat more organized, in so many ways, and to have the increased confidence, thanks to you."  

Brad 

Morning Dew, N60-75

   "Today we tied up to our first dock after 100 days (99 on the hook and one overnight)!  In addition, we are 50nm shy of attaining our 10,000 mile pennant.  

   There is no way we could have come this far without you.  We were “deer in the headlights” neophytes two years ago and the training you provided in our first weeks aboard were essential and invaluable. 

   We will be forever grateful!"

Jason & Rochelle Loeb

M/V Alliance, N57-21

    "Jupiter (N6068) is now happily berthed in Ponce Inlet, Florida and we have been making regular day trips out of the Inlet here to gain experience before embarking on extended cruises. To get educated about the trawler world we formally contracted with Jeff Merrill (JMYS.com) over three years ago and that relationship led us to Jupiter. Upon purchase several other national trawler experts recommended Captain Bernie Francis (Nordhavntraining.com) for personal instruction and that advice proved to be invaluable. Tammy and I spent close to 4 weeks with Bernie in 5-7 day visits and the benefits were too many to list here. In retrospect it is inconceivable to me that we would be enjoying Jupiter like we are without the confidence gained from this formal one-on-one instruction."

 Kent & Tammy Harman 

Jupiter, N60-68  ​

(Kent and Tammy are the second owners of Jupiter and decided to keep the name.)

(​​Written on the Nordhavn Dreamers web site;) 

  "Nordhavn is terrific trawlers and I am astonished how easy it is to handle.".   

"Me and my girlfriend have gone into to tight marina and we often dock by our self, without any help from line handlers! Thanks to our good teacher, Bernie!" 

 
Kaj Liljebladh 

Ammonite, N78-14, 

  www.ammonite78.com. 

(Kaj is from Sweden and has cruised his Nordhavn extensively.)

 "Bernie, I should thank you! The time spent with you was gold.  It really was. Docking and boat handling, boat behavior while underway, when to use and when not to use stabilizers, ship’s electronics, plumbing, fuel management, you name it… tons of practical advice and teaching from you.  I really appreciate all of it." 

Gil NarvazeYari II, 

N40-63   

    "I would add experience with Bernie in his helping us set up our Nordhavn 68-29 and training my wife and I to operate the boat as a team. We believe Bernie's knowledge and training skills are among some of the highest among Nordhavn captains. Do to his training we have had a safe and enjoyable summer cruising season in the Northeast with just the two of us as crew."  

 Joe and Renee Hazellief

 Aquilla Renee, N68-29

   "We just finished up 2 full weeks with Captain Bernie Francis aboard our (new to us) N47, “Ghost Rider”.  As I told Bernie as we parted ways, based upon previous references from many knowledgeable Nordhavn people, I already had high expectations going into our training….and he exceeded them.  Whether the subject matter was the boat’s systems, maintenance, weather, route planning, navigation, rules of the road, or operating the boat in close quarters – or any other nautically related topic you can think of – Bernie not only possesses deep knowledge but also decades of practical experience."   

   "And just as importantly, he possesses and practices an enthusiastic teaching style that is confidently relaxed, yet demanding of his students.  I know from my military flying experience that a good instructor is equal parts teacher, coach and critic, and it’s rare to find one who can effectively balance those according to the situation and the learning style of the students – and Bernie is one of those rare ones."     

   "When Bernie says “when you hire me, you’ve hired me for life”, he means it.  It quickly became obvious to both Michelle and myself that he genuinely cared – still does -- about making us successful.  Finally, as a real bonus, it was also our great pleasure to make a new friend who is also a patient mentor and always a gentleman."    

Rick & Michelle Riordan 

Ghost Rider / N47-48 Fort Myers, FL

 (Written on the Nordhavn Dreamers web site)
"I took possession of my custom built Nordhavn 55 in 2006. At that time there was NO formal program or training to learn about the operation & maintenance of a Nordhavn. My salesman gave me a few hours of operation & walking thru the systems. After that it was mostly learn on my own."      "A little over a year later I crossed the Atlantic with Medbound 07–an organized group of Nordhavns that had engaged Bernie Francis as fleet chief engineer—a knowledgeable guy there to help any of the participants.  During our 1 1/2 months together Bernie answered lots of questions not just about maintaining & operating my Nordhavn but also about cruising in the destination—the Mediterranean."   
  "I recently had the opportunity to spend a day with Bernie calling on his vast experience with Nordhavns to answer many questions I had regarding the somewhat aging systems on our Nordhavn."   "Bernie has developed programs of individualized instruction for owners transitioning to a Nordhavn or transitioning from a smaller to larger Nordhavn. He not only teaches operational skills but also helps owners select equipment, spares & how to deal with routine maintenance issues."      "I only wish I had the benefit of Bernie’s expertise & I strongly encourage new owners to get a fast track on operation & maintenance as they transition into Nordhavn ownership."      "Bernie maintains a website at: Nordhavntraining.com"   

David Bock,   

Salty Dawg, N55-04 

Lying Riviera Dunes Marina, Palmetto Florida 

  (​​Written on the Nordhavn Dreamers web site;)    "Nordhavn is terrific trawlers and I am astonished how easy it is to handle.".   "Me and my girlfriend have gone into to tight marina and we often dock by our self, without any help from line handlers! Thanks to our good teacher, Bernie!"  

Kaj Liljebladh 

Ammonite, N78-14,  

  www.ammonite78.com. 

 (Written on the Nordhavn Owner's web site in reference to a question from a new owner concerning what training to look into.)​    "We are halfway through our one week with Captain Bernie Francis.  We have learned more about handling our boat, safety, and outfitting our boat then boat shows and seminars.  It is one thing to sit all day and listen to folks talk, but having your hands on your boat and learning how to run your boat makes all the difference.  My wife is gaining confidence in both her skills and mine every day."  

Brian Lewis & Marlene Benke

 Egret, N46-74 

    "Bernie has worked with us on two occasions. Initially last March (on Milt Baker's recommendation) in the late stages of commissioning our new 47 he came aboard and "surveyed" the boat. We had considered retaining a certified marine surveyor but the consensus of other owners was to employ someone with specific Nordhavn knowledge. Bernie fit the bill and we spent an entire day going through every nook and cranny on the boat. A detailed "punch list" of deficiencies/ areas of concern was created."       "More recently we asked Bernie to accompany us as we cruised off shore from Beaufort, SC to Stuart, FL. It was a 50 hour "training passage" -- we'd never done an overnight and, while we were pretty sure we could handle it, we elected to take a knowledgeable third person along with us. Went very well."      "Bernie's an excellent, enthusiastic teacher and we completed the trip confident in our ability to repeat by ourselves."    "Both engagements were money well spent. No hesitation whatsoever in recommending Bernie."    Guy Goodwin Com'n Girl, N47-57   

   "Thank you one more time for the excellent training you provided to me and to Oxana. The technical/systems training and the driving training were highly interesting. You gave me a wealth of all sorts of tips concerning the N47. You definitely know this boat inside out. You were through in your explanations and patient throughout the two weeks (fortnight !!) spent on the boat."  

   "I would highly recommend you to anyone who would want to learn how to operate a Nordhavn."  

Kind regards,  

André and Oxana Rose E, N47-58  

(The training aboard Rose E was conducted on the Spanish island of La Palma part of the Canary Island chain. Andre and his wife Oxana are residents of Belgium.) 

(From the Italian Captain, Carlo Castellani, of the Nordhavn 68 Far Niente. Carlo was new to Nordhavn yachts and I worked with him in the preparation for their crossing of the Atlantic in the Spring of 2016. All work was performed in the Palm Beach Gardens, FL. area.) 

  "We arrived to Valencia the 21 of may just exactly one mounth after!!! No bad!!"  

 
  The sailing was good, no so much problems, only the water on the fwd tank and in the supply tank too but it was not a big problem....The weather was good, the engine was good and the crew too was very good! Now I am at home for a week to relax me after four mounth working.....when I came back to the boat we will start the season on the Med." 

  
  "Thank you Bernie to everything you was a good teacher for me!!"  

 
"Keep in touch and I hope to see you again." 

Bye Bye,  

Carlo, 

Far Niente, N68-28  

  "We just spent a week on board "Alcyone", with Captain Bernie Francis along. I hired him to help train my companion-for-life, Wendy, in the intricacies of electronic navigation, boat handling, and general boating skills. I want to tell the community that it was, according to Wendy, one of my most brilliant ideas. Bernie was a great teacher. Wendy suggested that I send out a note to the Owners who might have a somewhat boat-shy partner to let them know that there is a very knowledgeable, very patient, very diplomatic individual available to help transition from boat-shy to boat-sure. If anyone would like more information, please contact me." Ron Rubin "Alcyone" N 46-079 

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