Over the years, Waggoner has expanded its services in the boating community. Our goal is to continue to share our boating experience and expertise to encourage boaters to safely explore the beautiful Northwest and Inside Passage. Through our relationships with government agencies and non-profit organizations, we serve as a voice of communication regarding important boating topics and initiatives.
Advocacy. As leaders in the industry, we use our voice to participate in government involvement with recreational boating. We are active members with the Recreational Boating Association of Washington (RBAW), the Northwest Marine Trade Association (NMTA), BC and WA Parks, Boating BC and other organizations like Washington Sea Grant. We actively keep in touch with officials from the US and Canadian Coast Guard, Canadian Hydrographic, and other government bodies such as the Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR). Through these relationships, we are frequently asked to be a source of information to represent the interests of the recreational boater. You can read more about our advocacy initiatives in the 2023 Waggoner Guide, written by Managing Editors Leonard and Lorena Landon.
Publications. The Waggoner Guide is now 528 pages and extensively updated every year for release of the new edition in December. Over 7,000 copies are distributed every year, and we participate in special promotions for the Seattle Boat Show and other events. Throughout the cruising season, timely updates are posted on the Waggoner website regarding the latest happenings at marinas, and we continue to gather information for government and border procedures. Waggoner also publishes the Ports & Passes Tide and Current guide from our office in Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island. Additionally, Waggoner (Fine Edge Nautical & Recreational Publishing) updates and publishes the Exploring series of guidebooks with detailed anchorage information written by Don and Reanne Douglass, covering the West Coast, Inside Passage, and Southeast Alaska. You can also purchase our guidebook for Cruising the Virgin Islands. When the weather gets chilly in the Pacific Northwest, we encourage you to charter cruise in the beautiful British and US Virgin Islands. This guidebook is about to be released in its Third edition. These books and other nautical resources are available through our online bookstore and physical stores in both locations.
Waggoner eNews. Four years ago, we started Waggoner eNews and over 10,000 area boaters have signed up to receive this through email, twice per month. Articles include updates on marinas and procedures, maintenance tips, and new developments that are of interest to area boaters. Waggoner eNews is free to the boating public.
Waggoner Webcasts. About two years ago we started “Waggoner Webcasts Live,” a roughly 1-hour live presentation on Thursday nights, featuring updates and special guests, who share boating topics of interest. Webcasts are seasonal to allow time for guidebook production and Boat Show presentations and seminars. Look for scheduled webcasts on the Waggoner website.
Seminars. Several weekends a month, we offer informative three-hour or all-day seminars with our partner, the Marine Technology Department at Skagit Valley College. Subjects cover navigation and cruising information, safety information, and an extensive selection of maintenance and repair courses. Using the marine lab facilities of Skagit Valley College in Anacortes, we offer lab experiences for engines and marine electronics. One of our most popular courses is Diesel Maintenance for Women, where students work on operational engines running in the lab.
Seattle Boat Show. For the last 16 years we have been organizing and running Seattle Boat Show University in partnership with the Northwest Marine Trade Association (NMTA). We offer a full range of seminars at the Seattle Boat Show, available online to “Learn from the Experts” in three-hour or all-day seminars covering maintenance, safety, and cruising destinations.
Waggoner Flotillas. 12 years ago, we started taking Waggoner readers along on our trips up to Alaska and Desolation Sound on group flotilla cruises. We escort about 8-10 boats with our expert local knowledge, making planned stops for special events. Seminars are provided prior to the trips, with frequent instruction throughout the journey, covering cruising tips, anchoring and stern-tying, and information on how to interpret the weather for safe passage making. All come back from these trips with more knowledge and confidence for long distance cruising. And, of course we have a great time, and make new friends while cruising in some of the most beautiful boating locations in the world. Waggoner Flotillas are announced with details and sign-up information in Waggoner eNews and online. The flotilla trips sell out nearly every year.
Marina Consulting. As part of our work for Waggoner Cruising Guide, we collectively visit over 300 or more marinas and anchorages each year on the Inside Passage. We have seen what works and what doesn’t work at many marinas. Harbor Authorities and marinas often hire us as consultants to advise them on their strategy and business practices, using our knowledge and experience as recreational boaters.
We are passionate about recreational boating in this great cruising area of the world. We work to promote the communication of accurate, helpful cruising information as well as safety and good boating practices. We work to communicate this in our books, seminars, and training sessions. Advertising and sponsorship help fund our efforts as well as the sale of our books. We invest a lot of time to benefit the boating public and re-invest a part of our revenue to improve the boating experience.
