Command the Captains Chair: Learn to drive a boat like a boss

The PNW summer weather put on a show for us this past Wednesday evening for our Command the Captains Chair boat driving workshop in partnership with Seattle Boat Co.

We kicked off the evening with a quick meet and greet in the Seattle Boat Co. showroom before guests climbed aboard a Cobalt and Malibu for some hands-on boat driving practice. Elizabeth McPhail and Rachel Lundberg were our boating experts and guides for the evening. Elizabeth and Rachel are with the sales team at Seattle Boat Co. and are highly experienced skippers which made them the perfect instructors to have out on the water with us. Attendees were able to try out their boat navigating skills in a supportive and relaxed environment.

Our instructors began the workshop by going over proper startup procedure for each boat. Upon exiting the Newport Shores Marina the boats cruised South down the East channel of Lake Washington where they practiced maneuvering and docking.
Upon returning to dry land Elizabeth and Rachel demonstrated tie off techniques and encouraged attendees to try their hand at the cleat hitch. This basic tie-off skill is sure to come in handy when pulling up to any of the local marinas for a day or evening out (see below for a comprehensive list of nearby public marinas).

Following our dockside tie-off lessons guests made their way to the Seattle Boat Co. rooftop deck where they were treated to drinks and appetizers from Bowriders Grill. Our tasty meal included two charcuterie boards, pulled pork sliders and a Mediterranean salad. After some time to mingle, Elizabeth and Rachel gave us the low down on local marinas that have guest docks. Whether you want to boat up to Kirkland and explore their main street or stay more local and visit Renton we’ve got a marina for every taste.

Elizabeth’s Boating Tips and Tricks:

When you’re limited on space in a marina and trying to make tight turns (while driving at a low speed) you can increase control over the boat by utilizing neutral and reverse.
How to: Turn the wheel in the direction you’d like to turn then throttle forward, switch to neutral, then turn the wheel in the opposite direction, then throttle in reverse, back to neutral, turn the wheel and then forward again (repeat and repeat until you get the boat where you want it). This may seem counter intuitive, but think of it like parallel parking. We use reverse all the time in cars and make tiny adjustments, but it’s a super helpful concept to use on the water too.
The biggest difference between maneuvering an inboard and an outboard is that when in reverse on an inboard you have little control over the direction of the boat. Inboard surf boats will always shift you to the right while in reverse (your stern will always swing starboard). It’s called prop walk and happens because the propeller is fixed.
Before you dock take a few minutes to get your lines connected and put your fenders out. No one wants to toss a line to the dock if its not connected to the boat (let’s not look amateur). Also check to make sure any surf racks are folded in.
You don’t win an award for coming in hot. Slow and steady is key. Once you’re just into the slip and you like your angle, turn the boat to neutral and glide on in.
Cleats on a dock are never going to line up perfectly with your boat. Don’t stress! The most important cleat to focus on is lining up the rear dock cleat with the aft cleat of your boat (furthest back). Depending on how choppy the water is you may be set with using two lines to tie off (stern and aft). If you’re facing lots of chop you can add a third.
If you’re a passenger don’t assist unless asked to do so by the captain. They’ll tell you what to do if anything is needed!
When you’re the captain don’t be afraid to ask for help in any docking situation! Everyone does it! It’s not embarrassing or a rookie mistake to ask strangers to assist. We’ve been thrown lines from strangers at almost every marina we’ve visited.
The cleat hitch is a quick and easy knot to use when whether you’re pulling into a fuel dock or tying off on your home dock.
If your cleat hitch isn’t pretty then it isn’t right! It should look as if two rivers are running parallel under a bridge.
How to: Take a full turn around the base of the cleat, then make a figure eight across the horns of the cleat. First, loop across the top of the cleat to go around and under one horn. Continuing in the same direction to finish the figure eight but before you turn the second horn, twist the line to form an underhand loop that will slip over the second horn. The line will now lay with two parallel rivers under the overhand bridge.
Did you know Lake Union allows you to anchor overnight only two nights a year? As this is a working marina boaters are only allowed to moor on the 4th of July and New Years Eve.
When dropping anchor for a day of floating, you can get away with an anchor line of three to one (meaning your line length is 3x the depth of the water). A good rule of thumb for overnight mooring is having a line that is seven times the depth of the water where you are setting your anchor.

Elizabeth McPhail has created some fabulous slides (in beige) that include photos of each local marina that has guest docs. Check them out below! We’ve added some fun facts and included our favorite spots to visit while you’re there. Let us know if we’ve missed any of your favorites!!

Bellevue

Bellevue City Marina at Meydenbauer Bay is a hidden gem and rarely full. Can you believe we’ve seen it empty on Seafair Saturday?! Park here and then take a short walk up the hill to Main Street in Bellevue.
While there you can visit Monsoon, 520 Bar and Grill, Pagliacci Pizza, Cantinetta, Fern Thai (we especially love the fresh rolls on a hot summer day) and more. Shhh just don’t tell anyone!

Renton

Throughout the summer the Hyatt Regency Lake Washington offers three hours of complimentary moorage when visiting their seasonal Dock and Drink Pop Up. Stop by for a “burger, brew and beautiful view.” Bonus: the patio is pet friendly! They’ve got live music on select dates Thursday-Sunday (check the website for exact times and artist lineups). On crowded evenings we like to float our boat just outside of the marina and listen to the music from afar.
In case you’ve forgotten any essentials their Dockside Market offers grab and go items including lake apparel, sun care, ice, drinks and snacks.

Kirkland

A short stroll from the city docks take you to downtown Kirkland where you’ll find dining options for all tastes. We’ve had excellent bites and cocktails at Bottle and Bull, and seasonal favorites at Cactus. Our kiddos loved visiting Flatstick Pub where they offer 9 holes of mini golf, beer, and pub food (who doesn’t love golfing and boating in one day?).
If you’re boating over for some mid-day munchies Homegrown and Just Poke are always on point.
Next up on our list of places to try are Sirena Gelato (enough said) and Pop Culture Champagne Bar.

Lake Union

Westward is our favorite happy hour spot on the north shore of Lake Union. They’ve got outdoor fire pits, beach side seating, sustainable seafood, excellent cocktails and a nautical esthetic that will make you swoon. We’re a huge fan of their raw oysters (Hama Hama Oyster Co. are our favs) with verjus mignonette.
Portage Bay
If you haven’t had a chance to visit Saint Bread in Portage Bay (on your way to Lake Union), add it to your list! We like to boat over and grab a box of their goodies for morning surf sessions. Our go-to’s include the cardamom knot, the yuzu polenta cake and fried egg sandwich. If you decide to eat there they’ve got a giant patio with plenty of seating. Try to dock near Agua Verde.

Andrews Bay

Awesome spot to drop anchor and pull out those floaties. Depending on how you time it - it can feel crazy crowded or peaceful and serene. Definitely worth a visit for whichever type of day you’re feeling.
Fun Fact: This is also one of the few places on you can moor overnight on Lake Washington.

Our top picks for boating:

Now that you’re ready to command that captain’s chair it’s time to look the part. We’ve rounded up some of our team’s favorite products for life on the water. We’ve only listed items that we’ve tried and love. We hope you love them too!