Hot tub boats are the best way to stay warm in Washington this winter
written by Sheila G. Miller | photos by Cameron Zegers
Winter in Washington can be windy, rainy and cold—the perfect time to get out on Lake Union, in a hot tub boat?
You can do just that in a Hot Tub Boat. That’s right—you can tour Lake Union in a mobile hot tub, luxuriating in 102-degree water while taking in the sights of Seattle.
Owner and creator Adam Karpenske first had the business idea in 2011. Karpenske was living on a houseboat, but faced a great dilemma—he desired a hot tub. He converted an old dinghy, put his marine carpentry experience to use, and the rest was history.
The company, which started renting the boats in 2012, has two available—each fits up to six people and is controlled by a joystick, so anyone with a valid driver’s license can operate one. The boats hit a top speed of 5 mph.
A minimum rental is two hours for $350, with subsequent hours at $100 each.
Water goes into the boats at 110 degrees and two heaters keep the hot tub at about 102 degrees throughout the trip.
The boats are at their busiest between June and August, but one of the great joys of hot-tubbing is defying frigid weather, which makes winter a great time to check them out.
In addition, the company makes and sells custom hot tub boats. Next up, it hopes to expand into new markets and franchise the product.
The AGC Building and Marina
1200 Westlake Ave. N
Seattle
hottubboats.com
