Port of Everett Secures Leases with Boat Share Club, Yacht Sales and Service Company and Yacht Brokerage Firm for New Office Building at Fisherman's Harbor

The Port of Everett has inked three new leases with marine-service providers Bellingham Yacht Sales, Freedom Boat Club and Waterline Boats to site their respective Everett-based operations at a new commercial office building in Fisherman’s Harbor – the first phase of the Port’s 65-acre mixed-use Waterfront Place development.

The deals collectively secure 1,200 square feet of new waterfront office space – about 400 square feet per tenant – and triggers the Port to move forward with construction design and an anticipated 2021 construction commencement for a multipurpose building west of Hotel Indigo. Each lease includes adjacent moorage opportunity at the Port’s new Central K-Dock to accommodate display moorage for brokerage and boat share vessels.

“It’s great to see these quality marine businesses putting down roots at the Port of Everett, especially with the synergies they each bring to the marina and upland development,” Port Commissioner Tom Stiger said. “I’m particularly excited to welcome the new boat share amenity, providing an attainable option for folks that don’t own a boat to be a part of this vibrant boating community.” 

The balance of the building will house public restrooms and shower/changing facilities for the Central Docks and Pacific Rim Plaza. A new public open space to the south of the building will feature outdoor patio-style seating overlooking the marina. Construction is anticipated to begin by mid-2021, with business openings anticipated mid-to-late 2022. 

Bellingham Yacht SALES, owned and operated by the Ouilette family for 35+ years, is a premier West Coast dealer carrying a large selection of new and pre-owned yachts including Sabre Yachts, Back Cove Yachts, and Cutwater Boats. They offer brokerage services, as well as an array of shipwright services from general maintenance, detailing and more.

The company first expanded its operation from Bellingham to the Port of Everett in 2017 locating at a temporary office in the Port’s Craftsman District Boatyard in anticipation of the future buildings and dock facilities in the Port’s Waterfront Place development. This new lease signifies the realization of a goal the company has had for some time. Moving from the Craftsman building to this future building overlooking the marina will give Bellingham Yachts visual access to their K-Dock moorage to best serve their customers.

“We have enjoyed expanding to the Port of Everett and this new building signifies incredible opportunity and growth to best serve our new and loyal customers,” said Heather Ouilette, Co-Owner of Bellingham Yacht Sales. “Our vision of having a Sales and Service office overlooking our beautiful K-Dock moorage is coming to fruition and we couldn’t be more excited.”

Freedom Boat Club – the world’s largest members-only boat club – serves 230+ locations in the U.S., Canada and France, offering a quality boating experience to all levels of boaters from the novice to the seasoned captain. The lease agreement provides for a five-year base term with one, five-year option, and adds Port of Everett to the list of now 12 locations in Washington State, including the Ports of Edmonds, Anacortes, Bremerton, and Poulsbo.

The company had added 100+ boats to its Washington State inventory over the past five years. Initially, they bring in four boats to Everett in 2021, from fishing boats to pleasure cruisers, and will grow with demand. The one-stop-shop membership includes one-on-one training with licensed captains and covers all the maintenance, cleaning, repair, insurance and storage for available vessels.

"Freedom Boat Club is thrilled to open another club location at the Port of Everett Marina!” said Nick Hooge, President of Freedom Boat Club. “This dream has been a long time coming because of Everett’s instant access to Possession Sound, and all the quick access day trip adventures our members will enjoy exploring neighboring Islands. Freedom Boat Club is the ultimate boating lifestyle value proposition due to the unlimited access; our members get all the boats, at all the clubs for less than the cost of boat ownership. We like to say, ‘We own the boats, so you can own the water.’”

Waterline Boats is a full-service yacht dealership and brokerage with a statewide presence. They have offices and display docks in four locations, including Lake Union in Seattle, and they host a network of agents servicing the Puget Sound area. While Waterline Boat agents have had a presence here in Everett for some time, this new lease secures an office and display moorage space at the Port of Everett for a five-year base term with one, five-year option.

Waterline Boats is a dealer for Krogen Express Yachts and Helmsman Trawlers and is the exclusive Washington licensee for Boatshed – the world’s largest yacht brokerage group with partner offices around the globe. They specialize in trawler-style yachts, and are highly experienced in selling sailboats, motoryachts and all varieties of vessels.

“Waterline Boats is pleased to commit to being part of the Port of Everett’s new Waterfront Place development,” said Scott Helker, President of Waterline Boats. “We recognize the opportunity and attractive business environment that will come with growing on the Everett waterfront, and eagerly await the construction that will give us an exciting new office for yacht sales!”

For additional information, contact Catherine Soper, Public Affairs Manager, at 425-388-0680 or by e-mail at catherines@portofeverett.com.

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