Many of us daydream about a free, nomadic lifestyle. But some actually take the plunge, with nearly 350,000 Americans opting to live in boats or RVs according to recent Census data. Locally, the Port of Olympia welcomes liveaboard residents to enjoy the glories of the Pacific Northwest because, as they say, in Olympia It’s The Water.
If you’re a boat owner looking to be rocked to sleep by the tides on a nightly basis, check out Swantown Marina & Boatworks amenities and options, then put your name on their waitlist today.
Living On Your Boat Is a Dream Come True Thanks to the Port of Olympia
The Port offers 730 slips for boats, with 10% dedicated to liveaboards. Swantown’s Marina Manager Dylan Dixon and Harbor Senior Manager Damien Egan explain that some residents are new while others have lived there for decades. There are families, retired adults, snowbirds and working folks who all enjoy a simpler life on the water. Some come and go with their boat, while others choose a fixed moorage.
Current occupants reside on boats between 40 and 120 feet long, from sailing vessels to a 1942 minesweeper. When living at the Marina, residents pay a fee as well as their moorage costs but have access to bathrooms, showers, 24-hour security and laundry facilities. Pumpout service is included in the liveaboard fee but available a la carte to visiting boats.
There is free Wi-Fi but residents often choose to hook up with Comcast from the dock. Metered power from Puget Sound Energy costs extra but water and garbage fees are included. There are tenant parking spaces for those with cars plus room for boat trailers on-site. Optional mini storage units are available but, like liveaboard moorage, come with a waitlist.
Stories From Residents Who Enjoy Life on the Water
For Dewey Egbert, living at Swantown feels like being in a Wes Anderson film 24/7. “I live on B dock with an unobstructed view of the South Sound with the Olympic mountain range in the background, what’s not to like? I could not have found a more eclectic, diverse, and supportive bunch. The ranges in age, personalities and overall backgrounds make for great fodder under the topic of life.”
Alwyn Aswin agrees. “Swantown feels like an intersection of a sound, a bay, a lake and an estuary all thrown into one. It has so much beauty in it. I love the history of downtown Olympia, the mature trees in many of the historical districts, the more measured pace of life and the kid’s activities. The staff is very helpful, cheerful and ready to help; it’s a pleasure to work with them.”
Since 2001, Ruth Joynes has enjoyed life on the water. She appreciates that “while being the state capital, Olympia has always had a smaller town feel. The parks and Farmer’s Market add to that feel and the small businesses that are in downtown are unique and easy to support. There are also easy highway accesses for both I-5 and US-101. Swantown liveaboards, we feel, enjoy a sense of a secure community on the docks.”
Get On the Swantown Waitlist Today and Start Planning Your Puget Sound Boating Adventure
The waitlist for liveaboard space is approximately 30 to 40 names long and takes about a year, say Dixon and Egan. Larger boats, typically those over 50 feet, take even longer with the wait approximately two years. But, they say, that’s not unusual for anywhere on Puget Sound.
To ask questions or learn more, Dixon and Egan recommend checking out the Swantown Marina & Boatworks website, stopping by the marina office, or calling 360.528.8049. You can also email marina@portolympia.com.
The Marina website also lists their rate schedule, winter storage information, current fuel prices and fueling station hours, a reservation portal, guest moorage information, tide charts, webcam access and even local events calendar.
The adjacent Swantown Boatworks is a full-service haul facility, one of only two in Thurston County. It has more than 50 spaces and can haul up to 100-foot craft weighing up to 82 tons.
Boating Tidbits and Information, Courtesy of the Port of Olympia
In between the excitement of buying or selling and heading out with your new (or new to you) purchase, all vehicles require two somewhat mundane things: upkeep and paperwork. If your boat needs maintenance, Boatworks staff keep a registered and vetted list of vendors available, broken down by type of service. They’ll gladly share this information with anyone needing marine work, not just marina residents. Even the beloved fleet from Taylor Shellfish use Boatworks services to overhaul and maintain their 16 boats.
Sale or purchase of a boat moored on Port property doesn’t mean the new buyer takes over their space. The new owners must apply and follow all the required steps or move out within 10 days. Short-term vacation rentals of watercraft, like the Air B&B model, are not allowed.
Boatworks staff are also knowledgeable about salvage and deconstruction. If you’ve got a boat at the end of its lifespan but don’t know what to do with it, give them a call. They regularly work with the Department of Natural Resources Vessel Turn-In Program (VTIP) and DTG Recycle who can help keep derelict craft from polluting Puget Sound.
To stay updated on Port of Olympia happenings, sign up for their newsletters or check out the latest News Updates and blog postings. Then dust off your captain’s hat and start planning for a life at sea, even if that’s just peacefully rocking with the tides at Swantown Marina.
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