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NMTA Says Vote No on SB 5801
If you haven’t already submitted comments to your legislators to Vote No regarding the proposed added luxury tax on boats purchased in Washington State, you are reminded to please do so. NMTA (Northwest Marine Trade Assoc.) has responded to this tax proposal by...
Proposed Luxury Tax on Boats Purchased in WA – Action Needed
The following shared information is provided by RBAW (Recreational Boating Association of Washington) as an urgent message to boaters, RV owners, and aircraft owners. The Washington State Senate recently released its updated Transportation Revenue Package, which...
2025 Spring Swap Meets
Are you looking for quality used boat parts and supplies or lightly used new marine equipment? Then be sure to attend some of the upcoming marine-swap meets this season. Come discover those special treasures and share your enthusiasm with fellow boaters at these...
Around the Americas – Refit Nearing Completion
One Ocean, the 48-foot, 1995 Westerly sailing vessel is nearing completion of her refit in preparation for the Around-the-Americas Expedition – T-Minus 50 Days to Launch (May 3rd) – an expedition for science and education. Mike Beemer, Skagit College Department Chair...
ABYC Revised Fuel System Standard
The USCG (United States Coast Guard) has accepted the ABYC new requirements for in-tank fuel pumps and associated fuel hoses. The policy permits builders to use in-tank fuel pumps located beyond 12 inches from the engine without obtaining an exemption from the USCG....
New Owners of North Harbor Diesel, Anacortes
North Harbor Diesel has long been a business icon in Anacortes, Washington and a name widely recognized by boaters of the Pacific Northwest. The business was first founded by Howard Bean in 1988, who loved to tell others that he “started with a $2,000 loan, a pickup...
Blind Channel Resort – Tidal Energy Project
Located off Johnstone Strait via Mayne Passage is the remote, family-run Blind Channel Resort & Marina, a favorite destination among avid boaters. Like other remote communities and marinas in British Columbia, energy consumption and dependable energy sources is an...
Underwater ROV Removes Invasive Species
EcoMarine Technologies Inc., a Canadian company has developed an underwater remote operated vehicle (ROV) to reduce the spread of invasive Zebra Mussels. The underwater cleaning device called OmniBot uses pressure thrusters instead of magnets to bind to surfaces such...
Proposed Amendment Withdrawn – Right Whales
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), a branch of NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) has withdrawn a proposed amendment to the North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Speed Regulations. The proposed amendment to the Vessel Speed Regulations...
Behind the Scenes – Printing the Waggoner
Boaters continue to tell us how much they appreciate the annually published Waggoner Cruising Guide and continue to send us accolades about the tremendous amount of work that goes into creating the guide each year that includes the latest information and important...
NMTA Promotes Recreational Boating
Did you know that the Seattle Boat Show is produced by the Northwest Marine Trade Association (NMTA), founded in 1947? NMTA serves as the eyes and ears of the marine industry for boatyards, marinas, boat dealers, and other marine-related businesses. In addition to...
WA State History Museum, Temporary Closure
The Washington State History Museum in Tacoma, Washington is closing temporarily to install a new permanent exhibit called ‘This is Native Land.’ The museum will be closed from January 13 through February 14, 2025, and is planned to reopen on February 15, with...
Waggoner Managing Editors Moving On
Lorena and Leonard Landon, current Managing Editors of the Waggoner Cruising Guide, have always said that they planned to spend their retirement years in active installments of worthwhile causes. After Leonard sold his company consisting of 250 employees, he kept...
New Salmon Study Prompts Rethink for SRKW
It has long been known that King salmon (chinook) is the critical diet for Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKW), and the lack of chinook has been correlated with low birth rates among these endangered species. Until recently, however, no one has actually counted the...
Alternatives to Starlink?
It’s no surprise that Starlink has set the bar for internet connectivity for much of the world and offers service plans specifically for people on the go. Boaters have come to depend on fast internet connection via satellite, especially in more remote cruising areas...