NORTHWEST BOAT RENTALS AND ADVENTURES

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Article: Plan Your Own 3-Hour Cruise August 13, 2006
By Kate Rothgeb | This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Poulsbo

With it’s proximity to Seattle, internationally known bread and main street filled with shops playing off its Norwegian heritage, the town of Poulsbo is often a summer tourist hot spot.

For those looking to take advantage the city’s proximity to Liberty Bay — located just off of Poulsbo’s main street — businessman Bill Archer has a suggestion.

Rent one of his 21-foot electric boats for the afternoon.

"There are hundreds of thousands of people out here and there’s no really great entertainment thing. So my hopes were that this would catch on," said Archer of his new business, Northwest Electric Boat Rentals, which he opened in April. Archer, who lives on a boat in the Poulsbo Marina, started the business because he was looking for a way to bring family entertainment to Kitsap County.

The premise of the business is that tourists — or locals — can rent one of Archer’s boats that can seat up to 12 people for an hour, two hours, a half-day or a full day. Or they can be passengers for an evening sunset cruise along the bay.

"It sells itself once you get people on the boats," Archer said, who is a boat captain with Foss Maritime. Currently Archer has two boats for rent, but he hopes to expand his fleet in the future as business increases.

Recent customer Steve Sheridan said after seeing Archer’s advertisement while walking through Poulsbo with relatives from the East Coast, he decided to look into the boat rentals.

"I thought, ‘hey, this would be a cool thing to do,’ " Sheridan said. Later that day, he and his family were out on Liberty Bay. They enjoyed it so much, they decided to do it again, he said. Their second time, the family put the boat’s top down, opened the windows, made use of the boat’s CD player and headed to Agate Pass and Brownsville.

"We just enjoyed the heck out of it; it was a beautiful day," Sheridan said. "The sights (from the water) were fabulous. Mt. Rainier was bright, wide open. It was very exciting."

Boat rentals cost $75 an hour, a price most costumers are not objecting because it can be split between passengers.

"We feel like this is a great deal," said customer Kathy Schramke, who added the price was "well worth it" when compared to the cost of buying a boat. The Schramkes had looked into buying a boat, but since discovering the electric boats, they decided against it, she said.

"(The electric boats) are quiet, they’re new, they’re clean," she said.

While they might be considered only a sunny, summer day activity, Archer emphasizes his boats are fun on rainy days too because they have the option of being covered, enclosed and heated.

"You can cruise around on a rainy day without being exposed to the elements," Archer said. "(Customers are) protected and warm."

And with their quiet battery motor, Archer said his boats are an attractive offer.

"That’s the whole idea, you’re able to talk while you cruise," he said.

The boat’s interior includes leather seats and tables, a CD player and each boat has local charts and instructions to assist first-time boaters. Archer also offers docking lessons and boating tips for people uncertain about their nautical know-how.

Since opening, Archer has also attracted the eye of local businesses to use the rentals. Businesses like Remax Reality have used the environmental-friendly boats to hold meetings outside of the boardroom or to celebrate accomplishments.

"It’s really special, we love it," Schramke said. She added her family is planning to make use of Poulsbo’s new attraction three more times in August.

Future business plans for Archer include offering holiday cruises during the winter which would enable customers to see holiday lights from the water.

"We’ve brought something to the table that’s really fun that families can do together," Archer said.
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Boat rentals

Northwest Electric Boat Rentals is open seven days a week through Sept. 6 starting at noon and running until the last boat is in around dark. The office is located at 18779 Front Street, Suite 108 in Poulsbo. After Sept. 6 rentals will be offered by reservation only.

Rental services range from hourly boat rentals for $75 per hour and wine cruises three days a week, to scavenger hunts for local businesses and Sunday brunch. To make a reservation, or for more information, call 360-265-8300, or visit www.northwestboatrentals.com.

By Kate Rothgeb | This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it