Northwest Electric Boat Rentals - Testimonials
George and Noel Miller along with their friend Laurie Luoma are new owners of a Duffy 21 Electric Series christened Power Trip. "After just a few rentals we knew that we had to have one for Port Ludlow. We still stop in and see Capt Arch on occasion for a cruise around Liberty Bay."
George and Noel Miller
"We did the four hour cruise brought the family there was 8 of us total plenty of room ,we brought a picnic lunch and cruised to Brownsville and had the family picnic in the Park. It was like going to Disneyland yet we were able to drive are own ride. Northwest boat rentals provided us with great music, George Winston Piano solos and it set the mood for a perfect day. We will see you again soon."
Bob & Susan Larson
Bainbridge Island
"We had the office down for a two hour cruise. We brought box lunches and enjoyed relaxing, seeing the seals play was wonderful and the quite being able to have conversations with my coworkers in a relaxing environment was great. I would like to use the boats as employee rewards."
First American Title
Laura Archer
Kingston
"The boats are so easy to drive. Andrew & Bill are so helpful We brought twenty singles from Seattle for the cruise and we all went to Whiskey Creek for Dinner. The dinner was wonderful yet next time we want to have dinner on the 'Paradise in Poulsbo' and enjoy more time in the boat. After the boat ride we spent a few hours shopping in Poulsbo. Thanks for a great day Andrew & Bill, we will see you again in August."
Barbara Varon
Bellevue WA.
"The Family was visiting Poulsbo from Kansas when we stumbled on the northwest boat Rentals and had to go. We rented the boat for one hour and ended up staying out three hours, Not having much boating experience I was surprised how easy they were to drive! Andrew was on the dock when we returned to help us dock. The kids loved the seals and wildlife. If we visit Poulsbo again, an electric boat ride will be top of the list."
Larry, Barb, Stacy & Ryan
Clements
"We would like to thank Northwest Electric Boat Rentals for bringing Electric boats to Poulsbo. What a great concept for when we have guests from out of town. We have owned boats in the past & with the high cost of fuel we can rent an electric boat have it ready to go & clean for the cost of fuel Alone. We purchased a season pass and often enjoy dinner at sunset in Liberty bay."
Scott & Jean Anderson
North Kitsap Herald:
website
Article:
Paradise in Poulsbo 26 Jul 2006
By Charles Melton
POULSBO — Tucked neatly behind Garcia's Mexican Restaurant on Front Street, Northwest Electric Boat’s offices don’t generate much excitement to the untrained eye.
However, a quick walk down the dock provides a glimpse of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take the helm of one of two 21-foot boats for a romantic dinner outing to Keyport's Whiskey Creek Steakhouse or even a casual business meeting.
"They're as easy to drive as a golf cart, and people come back with a gleam in their eyes," said Northwest Electric Boat president William Archer.
Archer said he had been considering opening an electric boat rental company for some time, but it wasn't until the office space near the Port of Poulsbo Marina became available that everything came together.
Since Liberty Bay is by and large a protected body of water, there aren’t many issues with currents or rough waters that exist in other parts of the Puget Sound, Archer said.
"The final thing was finding the right office space, and Ken Stickler and the Port of Poulsbo have been very helpful to get us up and running," he said.
After weathering less than ideal conditions from March to June, business has picked up as warm, sunny days have been more conducive to people spending time on the water, he said.
"We've done OK, and we get quite a few four-hour rentals," Archer said, adding that RE-Max Realty and other businesses have begun having functions while touring Liberty Bay.
For those unfamiliar with or unsure of what it's like to cruise in an electric boat, Archer said the only sounds in the boat are those from it moving through the water.
"It's all about an intimate experience on the water with your friends in a quiet atmosphere," he said. "It's about being able to relax."
The boats aren't high-speed vessels, so Archer said he felt they were a safe option to offer the public at a reasonable price.
Unlike gas-powered boats, which consume costly amounts of fuel, generate a lot of noise and pollute the environment, electric boats are quiet, inexpensive to operate and have minimal impact on their surroundings, he said.
"We've found that a lot of people like our four-hour rentals and our two-hour rentals are popular as well," he said.
The majority of Northwest Electric's customers are in their 40s and 50s, but Archer said he has plans for singles cruises in the future.
Plans are also underway for three weeks of holiday cruises during the Christmas season, when both boats will be decorated in yuletide style, he said.
Northwest Electric Boat is open seven days a week beginning at noon, but Archer said if reservations are made for an earlier time those can be arranged.
With a successful first season well underway Archer said he is confident boat rentals will become a long-standing tradition in the heart of Little Norway.
Kitsap Sun:
website
Article:
Plan Your Own 3-Hour Cruise August 13, 2006
By Kate Rothgeb | Krothgeb@kitsapsun.com
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.
-----------------------------------------------
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 | Krothgeb@kitsapsun.com
Please call us at (360) 265-8300 with questions and/or for help with special accommodations.
Northwest Electric Boat Rentals | 18779 Front Street, Suite 108 | Poulsbo, WA 98370 Phone 360.265.8300 | Fax 360.697.1360 | Map
E-mail:
