Thanks to the advises of this forum I have been able to plan our visit for next October to Seattle. Any suggestions on renting a motor boat with captain for visiting the San Juan Islands for a day trip? The ones I've been able to find in Internet seem extremely expensive.

Bea

If you want someone to chug all the way from Seattle to the San Juans, expect to pay for it. A much cheaper alternative plan would be to drive to Anacortes and check out Anacortes Yacht Charter at www.ayc.com. I'm assuming that the high prices you quote come from Cristal Charters, Ledger Marine Charters, Seattle Charter Service, etc.

Let's face it...boats are a slow way to get anywhere, and when you are paying by the hour.....

and doubtless you will hear moaning and whaling about the high cost of fuel these days.

Frankly I was sort of appalled at what I thought were very high costs for simple day trips from Seattle to the San Juans on big crowded party boats. I think I'd faint if I heard the cost of a private boat charter.

did I really type whaling instead of wailing? Too funny considering I was talking about boat trips to the San Juans.

Big boats are quite expensive to own and operate (and they seriously suck down the fuel; 150 gallons or more wouldn't surprise me for that trip). Driving to Anacortes or one of the harbors in the islands (maybe Friday Harbor) would be much more cost and time effective and might have better rates as well.

I agree with the others. If you want to charter a private boat, do it in the San Juan Islands or Anacortes.

Why do you want to rent a boat? It might not be necessary - depends on what you want to do.

Thanks all for your replies.

We will only have four days in Seattle, therefore thinking of taking the ferry back and forth, in the same day, to the islands would be time consuming.

We do want to see the islands though and I`m open to suggestions.

Bea

You can take a float plane over - Kenmore Air - I believe they make a stop at some of the islands
but then you would have to rent a car to get around

I still think that driving up to Anacortes from Seattle (2 hours?) and chartering out of there is the best use of time and money. The ferries are far less expensive as foot passengers, but they have established routes without the flexibility you need to get the full experience. And there's a lot of waiting in line involved when you take a car on a ferry.

Kenmore Air is a super idea if you can handle the cost.

Adding to what others have said, you want to spend your time/money in the islands, not going to and from Seattle.

Also the Victoria Clipper stops at Friday Harbor - but only weekend travel at this time of year - you can book a whale watching expedition through them also.
I just discovered that Kenmore Air offers internet specials that are not listed with the regular fares -
have to click on the "internet fares"
tab- appears to be offered when they are trying to fill up the plane
I did the trip once and it was great fun- just did one way from Victoria to Seattle