Boating
by Roger Urbaniak
Affordable Boating Tips
There is a certain peace that comes from just being on the water.
Many people think of boating as a rich person’s sport, but over the years I have discovered many affordable ways to enjoy quality time on the water without breaking the bank. Initially purchased from paper route money, I have owned my favorite canoe for over 60 years, now with enough dents to prove I have used it often. Since I generally avoid boat launch fees by using car top launching areas, my canoe has proved amazingly economical.
Other craft that I have owned have allowed me to experience being on the water differently, but I have always kept a frugal eye open while enjoying the experiences. Economical craft that I have owned include inner tubes, rubber rafts, paddle board, float tube, plus a 12-foot aluminum boat. When I actually owned more expensive boats such as a Zodiac or 21-foot fishing boat, I managed to find partners to chip in and own them with me, while we structured our sharing arrangements.
Renting during your boating experience often makes sense.
I purchased a very useful book written by Sue Muller Hacking once, named “Boatless in Seattle”. I found it gave me numerous ideas of different craft that could be rented as well as vendors that offered them. I recommend that you review her book also to see if it triggers fresh ideas of how you can get on the water. My own ways of enjoying the water have been quite varied, but often stray from Seattle. I hope that by reviewing some of my experiences too, it will help you choose a fun outing for yourself this summer.
Floating on inner tubes and/or a rubber raft on the Yakima River along with the college students from Central Washington University during a hot summer day is a blast.
On some occasions I have taken my own canoe or hired a fly-fishing drift boat guide to navigate through this scenic stretch of canyon between Ellensburg and Yakima. Float tubing in a quiet lake is peaceful, plus a fun way to fish if the wind is not blowing. Walking barefoot through sagebrush could be in your future if the wind starts blowing the wrong way as it did for me. River rafting the Wenatchee was full of memorable thrills as was jet boating the Columbia River. Skidoos and wind surfing, are only on my “to do list” at this point. These experiences become affordable if only done once as a rental.
Charter boats are popular for a variety of outings and I have taken advantage of them. Argosy cruises allowed me fun opportunities for wining, dining or just sightseeing. Passenger ferries have been a pleasant way to see parts of Puget Sound or an economical short outing from West Seattle to the Ferry docks. I have fished from charter boats near Seattle, Westport, or on the Columbia River. Most charter boat outings allowed me to come home with plenty to eat, with the value of my catch significantly offsetting the excursion price. Salmon and walleye fishing trips on the Columbia were productive, plus bottom fish fishing, including ling cod, and halibut from Westport have helped keep my freezer full and many a dinner guest happy.
Unfortunately, I do not have the space to give you contact information for all the vendors involved in the boating or guiding business, but the internet does a good job of it once you decide on what form of outing you wish to pursue.
Choose something fun to do on the water this summer.