Anchor Bay Charters

I chartered the Captain Kelvin and his first mate for a 35 person birthday party and the entire experience couldn’t have been any easier or fun. From the planning stages with Kelvin over the phone, I knew that this was going to be a great experience. The Seeker was able to pick us up at South Lake Union right next to MOHAI. We were allowed to bring our own food and alcohol as long as I printed the $ 10 liquor permit from the state. How easy and fun is that?
On the day of, Kelvin was on time to allow a few select people to board the Seeker and decorate and set up the food and drinks. We ended up getting two small kegs that we placed in a tub on the bow of the boat. The kitchen and tables on board were perfect for laying out food and other beverages. There was plenty of room and the fridge and sink were very helpful for keeping somethings cold while we were aboard. There was a bathroom downstairs and people were welcome to sit, stand, dance, eat and drink inside, on the top deck, or even on the bow.
The two crew members were excellent and were able to navigate, act as tour guides and even help clean up as we navigated through Lakes Union and Washington. As we boarded, they had great suggestions on where to put food and drinks and were more than happy to help set up the decorations and food. They were also super friendly and made everyone feel welcome and comfortable. All the guests had nothing but great things to say about the whole experience.
I look forward to riding on the Seeker at another event and I will always recommend Captain Kelvin to anyone looking to host a 20 to 40 person event!

I booked the Seeker to host a surprise birthday party for my wife, with a total of 25 guests. I could not have picked a better venue to host the party.
From my first email exchanges with Captain Kelvin, it was clear he is very focused on ensuring each passenger has a great experience. He went well beyond just the schedule aspects of the cruise — when we could have the cater and guests arrive, when we would launch and dock. Plenty of charter companies can make the passenger experience great — but Anchor Bay makes sure the experience for the organizer is as good as it is for the guests.
He even spent time helping me figure out how to coax my wife into Seattle (we live on the Eastside), as well as how to get her near, and then onto the boat — without her suspecting a thing.
Throughout the cruise, the captain and his mate were both great resources and hosts. Every one of our guests commented on how wonderful Captain Kelvin was — very helpful and friendly, interacting with all the passengers, but not at all intrusive. He provided every level of service from tour guide to bus boy as we sailed.
I would definitely recommend Captain Kelvin and the Seeker for any on-​water even you want to host. They will help make your event memorable for all involved.

I recently got to spend a pleasant day on Captain Kelvin’s boat at the end of June as part of my work team offsite in Seattle. The boat was very clean and was just the right size for our group.
I have to confess — I did not know what I was in for — the «map of the stars» info just came to light as I was searching for Captain Kelvin’s boat to write up a Unilocal review.
After the first hour — the whole «this is where a rich white guy who got even richer bought a giant house and tore it down to build an even bigger house» thing got really tiring. I really don’t care about stars, wealthy people or big business people. None of the houses were all that interesting architecturally from Lake Washington.
Personally, I just wanted to jump in the water but the boat kept moving til we got to a restaurant for lunch — and then I did jump in the water and had a nice swim in Lake Washington.
My preference would have been to have less «Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous» and more information about landmarks, natural features, how and when were locks built and what purpose do they serve, what kinds of native plants and animals are to be spotted from shore — and what native invaders might have shown up. What’s the weather usually like and what kinds of interesting festivals happen on the lake or nearby (we did hear about people parking boats near a university stadium for games and about rowers painting on walls when I asked).
A nice mimosa or beer after lunch would have been stellar — the weather was perfect, and the crew were very courteous, informative and friendly. All in all it was really a lovely place to go with a bunch of work teammates (though none of them were inclined to go for a swim!).
Thanks again to Kelvin & crew!

We had a wonderful experience with Anchor Bay Charters! Kelvin was thoughtful and professional along with his staff. They made everything easy and fun in the booking process as well as on the day of the event. We had a birthday bash in May, we had fabulous weather, a guided tour and a great time out on the water at sunset! Definitely the best birthday both of our birthday celebrants have ever had! We highly recommend these guys!

I’M ON A BOAT!!!
Some very wonderful friends booked Anchor Bay Charters’ «Seeker» yacht as the venue for a pre-​wedding coed bash back in July. Everybody had a fantastic time and it will undoubtedly be a fond memory for everyone that was lucky enough to be there that night.
The yacht is in tip-​top shape and there was plenty of room for our party (I’m guessing we had about 40 people). I don’t know the proper nautical terms, but there is room to sit, stand or dance on the top, in the main cabin and on the front of the deck. There is also a kitchen with fridge, sink and a nice amount of counter space in the cabin. There are bathrooms and bedrooms on the lower level.
The two crew members did a great job. They were friendly and made everyone feel welcome and comfortable. In addition to steering the boat, they chatted with guests and helped clean up trash/​recycling along the way. I wish I could remember their names! The tour took about four hours. We started in Ballard/Fisherman’s Terminal, went through Lake Union to Lake Washington, and then further out (Kirkland?) before turning back. The views were splendid, the ride was smooth, and it really was a great time on the water.
A couple things to note:
– Parking near the docks is a bit tricky. Be sure you aren’t parked in a spot that will get you towed!
– No smoking. This drew some complaints from the crowd, but boo hoo, you can’t smoke while onboard a luxurious vessel.
– Whatever comes on the boat must come off the boat — including trash and decorations! Make sure at least one person is responsible/​sober enough at the end of the trip to haul everything off. The crew helped us but ultimately it’s your responsibility.
– My friends brought their own food but on the Anchor Bay website it looks like they can arrange for catering.
My experience onboard the «Seeker» was some of the most fun I’ve ever had on – or off — a boat. I highly recommend this as a venue if you’d like to plan something different and fun for a party or gathering.