Frequently asked questions about boat charters
This site is dedicated to a class of charter boats that have Coast Guard certification and can accommodate more than six passengers but fewer than 49. These vessels fall between the small "six-pack" boats and the large event vessels.
What events can I host on a charter boat?
These boats can accommodate a wide range of events. They host parties celebrating birthdays, anniversaries and graduations. They host wedding ceremonies and events before and after weddings. Some of the boats host memorials and ash scatterings for loved ones. And all boats host offsites, celebrations and team building events for businesses. And sometimes you don't need an excuse to just get friends and family out on the water.
What boat charter in Seattle can accommodate around 25 people?
A charter boat must have a Coast Guard certification to serve over six passengers. All the boats on this site have Coast Guard Certificates of Inspection with a maximum capacity set by the Coast Guard. All but one of these boats can accommodate 25 passengers.
Many Seattle charter boats are either small private vessels serving six or fewer, or large tour boats carrying over 100. Mid-sized private charters for groups of 20–40 people, such as we offer, are more limited.
What is the difference between a private charter and a public tour?
On a private charter you have the whole boat to yourself and can schedule your departure any time that fits with our calendar. Public tours are regularly scheduled tours that anyone can buy a ticket on. All of the boats on this site offer private charters. Two of the boats also offer ticketed public tours.
Where do private charters operate in Seattle?
For private charters the route is up the host, and based on the time on the water and the speed of the boat. There is a speed limit of 7 knots in the Lake Washington Ship Canal, limiting the distance traveled within the canal. On Lake Washington and Puget Sound, there are no speed limits, but the maximum cruising speed of the boats on this site vary widely. All the boats on this site operate in the fresh water inside the Ballard Locks, cruising through the Lake Washington Ship Canal and out to Lake Washington. Some boats can go through the Ballard Locks to Shilshole Bay, Elliott Bay and beyond.
Where do charters depart from?
All the boats on this site are based at Fishermen’s Terminal, at the south end of the Ballard Bridge, and the great majority of charters depart from there. Fishermen’s Terminal has ample free parking and easy access to the boat for guests and caterers. At the operator's discretion, and with additional fees, charters can depart from from Lake Union Park, Carillon Point in Kirkland, Southport in Renton, Shilshole Bay Marina and Bell Harbor on the Central Waterfront.
How do I book a private charter?
It is usually best to contact the operator by email or phone with your plans, and the operator will confirm your date and time. You will receive a contract or charter agreement for signature and make arrangements to pay deposits and fees.
What if we need to cancel?
We understand that plans can change, but hope that you understand that for the operators, booking slots are a perishable commodity. Each operator will have their own cancellation and refund policy.
Can I reschedule?
Each operator will have their own policy on rescheduling.
What is the weather is lousy?
The weather in Seattle is. . .variable. Each operator will have their own policy on weather related changes, but typically the only weather that will result in cancellation and refunds for are lightning, severe fog or severe smoke.
Do you have free parking?
There is ample free parking at Fisherman’s Terminal. All of the other departure points noted above require paid parking.
What if we are not ready to depart on time?
On-time departure is the biggest challenge for most groups. Each operator has their own policy on delays. Typically, on a private charter the host decides when to depart and if any late people get left behind.
Do you have restrooms onboard?
All boats on this site have restrooms on board.
Is these boat ADA accessible?
None of the boars on this site meet ADA requirements for accessibility, but operators try to accommodate people with varying mobility needs--check with the operator before making plans as each boat has different boarding procedures. There is ADA accessible parking near the dock at Fishermen's Terminal and the docks, floats and ramps at Fishermen's Terminal all meet ADA requirements. There are ADA accessible restrooms in the adjacent buildings.
Will I have time to set up before the charter?
Each operator has their own policy on set up time and boarding time.
Can we bring out own catering?
Most boats allow you to bring your own catering. Check with your operator for their policy on food and beverages. Just remember, any catering staff and/or bartenders you might bring count against your passenger limit.
Can we smoke on board.
No. State and federal laws prohibit smoking of anything or vaping while on board a passenger vessel.
What events can I host on a charter boat?
These boats can accommodate a wide range of events. They host parties celebrating birthdays, anniversaries and graduations. They host wedding ceremonies and events before and after weddings. Some of the boats host memorials and ash scatterings for loved ones. And all boats host offsites, celebrations and team building events for businesses. And sometimes you don't need an excuse to just get friends and family out on the water.
What boat charter in Seattle can accommodate around 25 people?
A charter boat must have a Coast Guard certification to serve over six passengers. All the boats on this site have Coast Guard Certificates of Inspection with a maximum capacity set by the Coast Guard. All but one of these boats can accommodate 25 passengers.
Many Seattle charter boats are either small private vessels serving six or fewer, or large tour boats carrying over 100. Mid-sized private charters for groups of 20–40 people, such as we offer, are more limited.
What is the difference between a private charter and a public tour?
On a private charter you have the whole boat to yourself and can schedule your departure any time that fits with our calendar. Public tours are regularly scheduled tours that anyone can buy a ticket on. All of the boats on this site offer private charters. Two of the boats also offer ticketed public tours.
Where do private charters operate in Seattle?
For private charters the route is up the host, and based on the time on the water and the speed of the boat. There is a speed limit of 7 knots in the Lake Washington Ship Canal, limiting the distance traveled within the canal. On Lake Washington and Puget Sound, there are no speed limits, but the maximum cruising speed of the boats on this site vary widely. All the boats on this site operate in the fresh water inside the Ballard Locks, cruising through the Lake Washington Ship Canal and out to Lake Washington. Some boats can go through the Ballard Locks to Shilshole Bay, Elliott Bay and beyond.
Where do charters depart from?
All the boats on this site are based at Fishermen’s Terminal, at the south end of the Ballard Bridge, and the great majority of charters depart from there. Fishermen’s Terminal has ample free parking and easy access to the boat for guests and caterers. At the operator's discretion, and with additional fees, charters can depart from from Lake Union Park, Carillon Point in Kirkland, Southport in Renton, Shilshole Bay Marina and Bell Harbor on the Central Waterfront.
How do I book a private charter?
It is usually best to contact the operator by email or phone with your plans, and the operator will confirm your date and time. You will receive a contract or charter agreement for signature and make arrangements to pay deposits and fees.
What if we need to cancel?
We understand that plans can change, but hope that you understand that for the operators, booking slots are a perishable commodity. Each operator will have their own cancellation and refund policy.
Can I reschedule?
Each operator will have their own policy on rescheduling.
What is the weather is lousy?
The weather in Seattle is. . .variable. Each operator will have their own policy on weather related changes, but typically the only weather that will result in cancellation and refunds for are lightning, severe fog or severe smoke.
Do you have free parking?
There is ample free parking at Fisherman’s Terminal. All of the other departure points noted above require paid parking.
What if we are not ready to depart on time?
On-time departure is the biggest challenge for most groups. Each operator has their own policy on delays. Typically, on a private charter the host decides when to depart and if any late people get left behind.
Do you have restrooms onboard?
All boats on this site have restrooms on board.
Is these boat ADA accessible?
None of the boars on this site meet ADA requirements for accessibility, but operators try to accommodate people with varying mobility needs--check with the operator before making plans as each boat has different boarding procedures. There is ADA accessible parking near the dock at Fishermen's Terminal and the docks, floats and ramps at Fishermen's Terminal all meet ADA requirements. There are ADA accessible restrooms in the adjacent buildings.
Will I have time to set up before the charter?
Each operator has their own policy on set up time and boarding time.
Can we bring out own catering?
Most boats allow you to bring your own catering. Check with your operator for their policy on food and beverages. Just remember, any catering staff and/or bartenders you might bring count against your passenger limit.
Can we smoke on board.
No. State and federal laws prohibit smoking of anything or vaping while on board a passenger vessel.