Shilshole Blog

This is something that affects all of us boaters so please take a moment to review this message from the Northwest Marine Trade Assoc. and the Recreational Boating Assoc. of Washington

All Boaters,

This morning I testified before the Senate Transportation Committee opposing a new proposal to double the watercraft excise tax. This is the tax Washington boaters pay annually when they register their boats.

Boaters are the only user group that pay an excise tax and we think it is unfair and inappropriate to increase this tax.

The funds from this Vessel Excise Tax go directly into the state general fund.

Please take action now and let our state senators know you do not support this increase. It only takes one minute! Click this LINK now to send a message to your state senator.

Sincerely,

George Harris

NMTA President/CEO

from the Washington State Parks Boating Program….

Life jacket survey for recreational boaters:

Do you have three minutes to spare? As a recreational boater, your feedback matters.
In recent years, Washington state legislators have proposed potential bills to address gaps in recreational boating safety and education. The Washington State Parks Boating Program would like your feedback about one of those recent proposals — mandatory life jacket wear on human-powered watercraft.
The survey is five questions, your answers are confidential and no personally identifying questions are asked.  Take the survey

Thank you for your time, we appreciate the feedback.

About the Washington State Boating Program
Washington State Parks administers the state’s Boating Program, which provides leadership in boating safety and environmental education and outreach. The program is funded primarily by the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund through federal grants. The goal of the program is to reduce accidents and fatalities, increase stewardship of Washington waterways, and keep recreational boating a safe, accessible and enjoyable pastime. For more information on the Boating Program, visit: www.washingtonstateparks.us/Boating

Better to be registered and avoid the hassle, expense and embarrassment of family and friends some weekend when you are out boating…

As a resident of the State of Washington, YES, with one minor exception.  Rules in other states may be different, but in Washington, per Chapter 88.02.020 RCW Dispositions VESSEL REGISTRATION

(1) Except as provided in this chapter, a person may not own or operate any vessel, including a rented vessel, on the waters of this state unless the vessel has been registered and displays a registration number and a valid decal in accordance with this chapter. A vessel that has or is required to have a valid marine document as a vessel of the United States is only required to display a valid decal.

Exception for motorized vessels:

Are you headed offshore to Mexico and points beyond with your SSB radio? Or, do you want to be able to communicate in times of emergency?  Now’s the time to get your HAM radio license!  Classes are  held online, are inexpensive and testing is designed for you to learn and pass!

For details on HAM radio, check out the National Assoc. of Amateur Radio:  http://www.arrl.org/licensing-education-training

Sheri, who runs our Monday night VMan check in, took this prep class and had good things to say about it:  https://www.hamradiolicenseexam.com/prices.htm

Seattle Boat Show Connected features four days of boating, fishing and Boat Show University seminars – over 100 hours of original content for boaters! Watch seminars live, streaming on the site, and chat and interact with other viewers and presenters. Plus, at most levels of registration, you can re-watch seminars if you missed them the first time.

Boating and fishing seminars are 40 minutes in length and there are 68 to choose from. Boat Show University seminars take a deeper dive into northwest boating topics and are two hours in length with 15 to choose from.

DOWNLOAD & PRINT BOATING SEMINAR SCHEDULE (PDF)
DOWNLOAD & PRINT FISHING SEMINAR SCHEDULE (PDF)
DOWNLOAD & PRINT BOAT SHOW UNIVERSITY SCHEDULE (PDF)