Charters FAQ

Vessels 22′ and under require a US Sailing Basic Keelboat certification or equivalent experience. All vessels over 22′ require a US Sailing Basic Cruising certification or equivalent experience for day sailing, and US Sailing Bareboat Cruising certification or equivalent experience if chartering overnight. Boats over 40' (or dual helm) require Bareboat Cruising or equivalent.

We welcome ASA certifications as well! New members are required to complete an equivalent level ‘Check-out’ with our Dock Staff prior to charter.

Non-members can charter Windworks vessels up to once per year. Please reference non-member pricing on our charter fleet page here. Non-members are subject to an insurance deposit hold (up to $10,000), a $250 dive fee, and a turn fee.

You can visit our Membership page to read about our different membership options here.

If you would like to sign up, please reach out to our office staff here.

The entire Puget Sound is available to you! From our location in the Shilshole Bay Marina, a typical day cruise might include a sail to Blake Island for hiking, or down to Elliot Bay to see Downtown Seattle from a beautiful alternative view! You can typically reach the San Juan Islands in a day’s time.

All Windworks vessels are restricted from sailing through the Ballard Locks, as well as traveling west of Point Cape Flattery or North of 51° N Latitude.

Need more ideas for a day sail? Come along on our next Day Trip’n Clinic, where you spend the day with a group, learning of perfect locations to sail in a day!

Yes! One of the main benefits of being a Windworks Club Member is gaining access to Windshare! Windshare is an awesome online forum that is open only to members. Through Windshare, our members can open a charter reservation to everyone, allowing the opportunity to connect with crewmembers or skippers. Everyone benefits by sharing the crew work, cost, and fun of chartering, while meeting new sailing friends!

Club members can charter a boat for a full day (9am to 1 hour before sunset), or multi-days! Enjoy a half-day sail for 20% off the full-day rate (9am to 1pm or 2pm to 1 hour before sunset.).

Non-members can charter a boat for a full day or multiple days at a daily rate up to once per year.

Yes! Windworks offers private Skippered Charters for up to 6 people! This is a wonderful way to explore the Puget Sound waters, guided by a knowledgeable captain. Just sit back and enjoy the sights of Seattle and other Puget Sound destinations, or you can also take your turn at the helm with a captain nearby for guidance! Bring your own food and libations to the party and participate in tacking and jibing as much as you’d like!

Click here to view pricing.

1. Select a boat from our top quality charter fleet here.
2. Submit your desired dates and contact details through the form on the vessel detail page or reserve online.
3. If you have not sailed with us before, submit your charter resume here.
4. Your qualifications will be reviewed by our staff and your vessel of choice will be held for you.
5. If you have not sailed with us within the past year, you will be required to complete a skills assessment prior to taking out your reserved vessel.
6. When you arrive, our friendly, expert staff will assist you while boarding the boat and departing the dock.

We have our check policy and procedures posted here.