Floatplan

This week on Floatplan podcast, Matt and Tim step aboard another iconic Northwest pilothouse yacht: the 58’ West Bay Sonship.Fresh off the response to the 57’ Tollycraft episode, we’re taking a closer look at what makes the West Bay such a beloved Pacific Northwest cruising platform. From its spacious pilothouse layout and classic Northwest styling to the stand-up engine room, twin generators, stabilizers, and Alaska-ready capability, this walkthrough covers what owners love about these boats—and why the design has stood the test of time.Join us aboard this locally owned (and available for sale) 1998 58’ West Bay Sonship Esperanca as we tour the cockpit, pilothouse, flybridge, staterooms, engine room, and lazarette while discussing thoughtful layouts, serviceability, maintenance considerations, and the features that make these yachts ideal for Northwest and extended cruising.Whether you’re considering a West Bay, dreaming about cruising Alaska, or just love classic Northwest yachts, this episode is for you.In this episode:Why the West Bay Sonship became a Northwest classicPilothouse layout & liveaboard comfortStand-up engine room & serviceabilityTwin generators, stabilizers & cruising systemsAlaska cruising capabilityWhat to look for when evaluating a used boatIf you enjoyed our 57’ Tollycraft episode, this is one you won’t want to miss.

What happens to the boat when you're done with it?Matt and Tim sit down aboard a 1998 58' West Bay to tackle one of boating's most important — and most avoided — conversations: succession planning. From building your boat into your estate plan, to making sure the next generation is insured and capable of running it, to avoiding family conflict when it's time to sell, this episode covers the practical steps every boat owner should take now, while the boating is still good.Whether you're thinking about passing the boat down or eventually liquidating it, having the right people, documents, and conversations in place makes all the difference.

In this episode of Floatplan, Matt & Tim join Carrington Cyr, founder of Carrington Marine and a master Mercury technician with nearly 20 years of exclusive Mercury experience, aboard a Blackfin boat on the water in Seattle. Carrington shares his journey from GM-certified automotive tech to marine specialist, and how he eventually launched his own Mercury Marine dealership from scratch just 11 months ago.The conversation covers Carrington's mobile-first service model, the evolution of Mercury's outboard engine lineup from the supercharged Verado era to today's modular V6/V8/V10/V12 family, and why the new naturally aspirated engines running on 87 octane are a game-changer for boaters. They also dig into the new Mercury "Boost" software upgrade, the pros and cons of Sharrow propellers, and what it really takes to maintain your outboard — including the difference between annual and extended three-year service intervals.The episode wraps with a hands-on look at a Mercury V6 outboard, walking viewers through basic owner checks, cowling removal, and what to look for under the hood. Along the way there are plenty of laughs, including Carrington's memorable story of stepping off a dry dock into Puget Sound and a piece of boat canvas that quietly slipped to the bottom of Elliott Bay Marina.Thank you to our guest, Carrington Cyrhttps://carringtonmarine.com/206-784-7979Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carringtonmarineservice/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579233227682

Keeping a boat looking great — and protecting its value — takes more than an occasional wash.In this episode, we sit down with Jose Gallegos of Gallegos Yacht and Boat Service to talk about what proper boat care really involves, from routine washing and detailing to major repairs and refinishing projects. We discuss how often boats should be cleaned and waxed, what happens when maintenance is delayed, and why preventative care is almost always less expensive than restoration.Jose also walks through the process behind more intensive work — like removing old name shadowing from a transom, restoring damaged surfaces, and protecting boats from corrosion and environmental wear.Whether you handle your own maintenance or rely on professionals, this conversation offers practical guidance for keeping your boat in top condition season after season. Thank you to our guest, Jose GallegosGallegos Yacht and Boat [email protected]

 ​In this episode of the Floatplan, Tim and Matt get together with Paul Zimmer and Kalin Tobin from S3 Maritime at Salmon Bay Marine Center in Seattle. The conversation begins with a discussion about who S3 is, what they do, and the range of services they provide — from refits and repairs to fabrication, electrical, and full-service boatyard work — before stepping aboard their extensively upgraded 2003 36’ Riviera Sportfish to see those capabilities in action.Kalin and Paul walk us through the systems installed on S3’s demo vessel, including Garmin and Raymarine electronics, FLIR thermal imaging, Seakeeper Ride stabilization, Dockmate remote docking, and a fullVictron lithium power system. The result is a boat that feels dramatically more modern — without the cost of buying new.This episode is a practical look at what today’s upgrades can actually do on the water. From digital switching and advanced navigation to stability and power management, the team explains how upgrades can be phased over time and tailored to real-world boating needs.You’ll also see how S3 uses this demo boat to let owners test equipment before investing — whether that’s joystick-style docking, thermal cameras for night navigation, or upgrading electrical systems for extended cruising.If you own an older boat, are considering upgrades, or want to understand what modern marine systems really offer, this episode provides a clear, real-world example of how a thoughtful refit can extend the life — and enjoyment — of a great boat.S3 Maritime (www.s3maritime.com)2360 W. Commodore Way, Suite 200Seattle, WA 98199206-420-4932Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/s3maritimeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/s3maritime

On this episode of Floatplan, we do something a little different — a side-by-side tour of two iconic Pacific Northwest yachts built on the exact same hull, but configured two very different ways.We step aboard a pair of 57' Tollycrafts — one walkaround, one widebody — to explore how layout decisions shape livability, usability, and the way people actually boat in the Pacific Northwest. From covered side decks and easier line handling to expansive salon space and entertaining comfort, we break down the real-world trade-offs of each approach. There's no perfect boat — but there is a best fit for how you and your crew use it.Along the way, we cover:Walkaround vs. widebody layouts — what you gain and what you give upWhy pilothouses remain a cornerstone of Northwest boatingHow refits and updates can transform an older yachtWhat to look for when comparing boats of similar size and vintageWhy condition and maintenance matter more than model yearWhether you're actively shopping, planning a refit, or just love classic Northwest yachts, this episode offers a practical look at how layout decisions shape life on the water. The widebody featured here, SUMO, is a beautifully-maintained example of what thoughtful upgrades and consistent care can do for a classic hull — and she's currently available if you happen to be in the market.

This week, Floatplan sits down aboard a refit 1995 Tollycraft 57 with Craig Perry and Todd Feinroth, part of the team behind Nautical Northwest Magazine, to talk about the return of a high-quality print boating publication to the Pacific Northwest. They share how the magazine came to life, the vision behind the launch, and why the response from boaters, brokers, marinas, and marine businesses has been so strong.Craig, a lifelong mariner who grew up at Skyline Marina in Anacortes, and Todd, a 30-year Seattle transplant with a background in venture capital and enterprise technology, explain how the magazine took shape. After connecting with longtime Northwest Yachting editor Norris Comer over a three-hour brainstorm at The Sloop Tavern, the vision crystallized: a free, advertising-supported publication covering the full spectrum of Pacific Northwest water life — from paddleboarding and scuba diving to sailing, power boating, and commercial maritime.The conversation covers what sets the magazine apart: deeply reported human-interest stories (like Project 253, a program helping create marine industry career pathways for young people), coverage of remarkable regional achievements that go untold elsewhere, and a commitment to authentic, locally-written content at a time when many publications are leaning into AI-generated copy.Just as important, it’s about the simple pleasure of print and having a real magazine to pick up, flip through, and keep aboard. Distribution is growing quickly, with 5,000 to 7,000 copies per issue reaching readers across multiple states and into Canada. One standout partnership: Kenmore Air, which placed the magazine in the seatbacks of all 25 floatplanes and across its passenger terminals, putting it directly in front of exactly the audience advertisers want to reach.The episode also includes a preview of BoatsAndBrokers.ai, a new AI-powered boat search and listing platform Todd is developing to improve the experience for both brokers and buyers.If you care about boating in the Pacific Northwest, the people behind it, and where the industry may be headed next, this episode is worth a listen.Nautical Northwest Magazinehttps://www.nauticalnw.com/Instagram: @nauticalnwmagazineFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/nauticalnwmagazine/

We’re back on the fuel dock at Elliott Bay Marina for a dockside conversation about the stuff you don’t see—what’s happening underneath your boat.We’re joined by Shane McCall of Emerald City Diving, one of Seattle’s go-to dive teams for underwater boat work. Shane breaks down the real-world maintenance schedule for saltwater moorage, what “zincs” actually means (and why anode material matters), how to spot early warning signs like corrosion and “haloing,” and why using your boat more often can actually reduce certain problems.We also get into props and running gear: what happens when you snag a crab pot or line, whether cutters like Shaft Sharks or Spurs really help, and how divers pull and reinstall props (yes—tight enough) without a haul-out.If you’ve ever wondered how often you should be diving, what you should be paying attention to, or what a good diver should be checking every visit—this one’s for you.In this episode:What anodes do (and why “zincs” isn’t always the right answer)Saltwater vs freshwater maintenance expectationsPropspeed vs other coatings Electrolysis, corrosion, and common issues divers see in Seattle marinasLines/crab pots on props: how fast damage happens and what to doWhat to look for when hiring a dive serviceUnusual recovery stories (dentures included)Guest: Shane McCall, Emerald City Diving (Seattle) Location: Elliott Bay Marina fuel dockEmerald City Diving206-789-8000emeraldcitydiving.com

Anzuelo is hauled out for its yearly maintenance period, so we’re recording from the boatyard—because boat ownership always comes with a to-do list. This week, we tackle one of the least glamorous (and most important) topics: marine insurance.Peter Ricks, Northwest Regional Manager at Novamar Insurance Group, joins us for a practical Marine Insurance 101 built around real-world claims that went sideways fast. We cover the “read your policy” essentials, the differences between agreed value vs. actual cash value, what named perils and named operator clauses can mean, and how permissive use works when a friend borrows your tender.We also get into common gray areas boaters miss—tow-behind coverage, when a tender should have its own policy, medical payments vs. liability, liveaboard enhancements, pollution & wreck removal, and what changes when you boat in the hurricane zone. If you’ve ever assumed “I’m probably covered,” this episode is for you.Thank you to our guest Peter Ricks, Northwest Regional Manager for Novamar Insurance Group Peter [email protected]://www.novamarinsurance.com206-350-5051

Big news for Pacific Northwest boaters — Elliott Bay Marina has a new owner. This week, Matt and Tim sit down with Jordan Glidden, former General Manager of Elliott Bay Marina and current General Manager at Marina Management LLC, to break down what Stonepeak's acquisition of Southern Marinas could mean for one of Seattle's most beloved boating destinations.Jordan brings a rare insider perspective, having spent a decade at Elliott Bay — starting as a dockhand and leaving as GM — before moving on to manage marinas on Lake Washington. Together, the three dig into Elliott Bay's ownership history, from its origins with local businessman John Kaiser and the Manson Construction family through KSL Capital Partners and Southern Marinas, and what it might mean to have an infrastructure-focused private equity firm like Stonepeak take the reins.The conversation explores what a well-resourced new owner could prioritize: the restaurant opportunity (RIP Palisades brunch), electrical infrastructure upgrades to meet the growing power demands of modern vessels and superyachts, fuel dock improvements, and why preserving the Elliott Bay community feel matters as much as any capital project.Whether you're a slip holder, a transient boater who stops in on your way to the San Juans, or just someone who loves the Seattle waterfront, this one's for you.Note: The hosts have no firsthand knowledge regarding this transaction and have not spoken to any of the parties about the sale. All commentary reflects publicly available information and personal industry experience.

Lithium is the hottest upgrade topic in marinas right now. But as we learned in this episode, you can’t just pull out your 8Ds and “drop in” lithium.We sat down with Max French, General Manager of Pacific Coast Yachting Services in Seattle, to walk through what actually goes into a modern lithium installation built around the Victron ecosystem. From why AGM banks rarely live their advertised lifespan, to what a proper battery management system (BMS) really does, to how remote monitoring through VRM has changed the way boats are supported — this is a behind-the-curtain look at real-world system design.We cover:Why traditional AGM inverter banks fail earlyWhy “drop-in lithium” is a mythWhat makes an integrated Victron system safer and more reliableRemote monitoring, generator auto-start, and real-time troubleshootingWhat entry-level options look like if you’re not ready for a full lithium conversionAnd why infrastructure matters — including Pacific Coast’s new indoor waterfront facility built to support larger boats in the Pacific NorthwestIf you’re considering lithium, upgrading your inverter system, or just want to understand what’s actually happening behind the blue boxes in your marina, this episode is for you.Pacific Coast Yachting Services 1115 N Northlake Way Seattle, WA 98103(206) 397-4788 pacificcoastyachtingservices.com

The Seattle Boat Show has a way of getting the gears turning. In this episode, Tim & Matt talk about why the show is often the entry point to bigger boats, bigger dreams—and the realities that come with them. From sizing up to insurance, training, and what it really takes to make a move-up boat fit into your overall float plan, this is a grounded look at what excitement turns into once you leave the docks.

In this first episode, Tim Boyle and Matt Maynard introduce Floatplan—a new podcast centered on boats, boating, and the decisions that come with life on the water. They talk through how they met, what brought them here, and why they wanted to create a space for honest, unscripted conversations about boating, ownership, and the people who make it all work.This episode sets the tone for what’s ahead: real stories, practical insight, trusted voices from across the marine world, and a shared belief that while boats come and go, people matter most.