Financial Floatplan: Succession Planning for Boat Owners

West Bay Sonship 58 Walkthrough | A Quintessential Northwest Pilothouse Yacht

This week on Floatplan podcast, Matt and Tim step aboard another iconic Northwest pilothouse yacht: the 58’ West Bay Sonship. Fresh off the response to the 57’ Tollycraft episode, we’re taking a closer look at what makes the West Bay such a beloved Pacific Northwest cruising platform. From its spacious pilothouse layout and classic Northwest styling to the stand-up engine room, twin generators, stabilizers, and Alaska-ready capability, this walkthrough covers what owners love about these boats—and why the design has stood the test of time. Join us aboard this locally owned (and available for sale) 1998 58’ West Bay Sonship Esperanca as we tour the cockpit, pilothouse, flybridge, staterooms, engine room, and lazarette while discussing thoughtful layouts, serviceability, maintenance considerations, and the features that make these yachts ideal for Northwest and extended cruising. Whether you’re considering a West Bay, dreaming about cruising Alaska, or just love classic Northwest yachts, this episode is for you. In this episode: * Why the West Bay Sonship became a Northwest classic * Pilothouse layout & liveaboard comfort * Stand-up engine room & serviceability * Twin generators, stabilizers & cruising systems * Alaska cruising capability * What to look for when evaluating a used boat If you enjoyed our 57’ Tollycraft episode, this is one you won’t want to miss.

Financial Floatplan: Succession Planning for Boat Owners

What happens to the boat when you're done with it? Matt and Tim sit down aboard a 1998 58' West Bay to tackle one of boating's most important — and most avoided — conversations: succession planning. From building your boat into your estate plan, to making sure the next generation is insured and capable of running it, to avoiding family conflict when it's time to sell, this episode covers the practical steps every boat owner should take now, while the boating is still good. Whether you're thinking about passing the boat down or eventually liquidating it, having the right people, documents, and conversations in place makes all the difference.

The Mercury Guy: Inside 20 Years of Outboard Expertise with Carrington Cyr

In this episode of Floatplan, Matt & Tim join Carrington Cyr, founder of Carrington Marine [https://carringtonmarine.com/] and a master Mercury technician with nearly 20 years of exclusive Mercury experience, aboard a Blackfin boat on the water in Seattle. Carrington shares his journey from GM-certified automotive tech to marine specialist, and how he eventually launched his own Mercury Marine dealership from scratch just 11 months ago. The conversation covers Carrington's mobile-first service model, the evolution of Mercury's outboard engine lineup from the supercharged Verado era to today's modular V6/V8/V10/V12 family, and why the new naturally aspirated engines running on 87 octane are a game-changer for boaters. They also dig into the new Mercury "Boost" software upgrade, the pros and cons of Sharrow propellers, and what it really takes to maintain your outboard — including the difference between annual and extended three-year service intervals. The episode wraps with a hands-on look at a Mercury V6 outboard, walking viewers through basic owner checks, cowling removal, and what to look for under the hood. Along the way there are plenty of laughs, including Carrington's memorable story of stepping off a dry dock into Puget Sound and a piece of boat canvas that quietly slipped to the bottom of Elliott Bay Marina. Thank you to our guest, Carrington Cyr https://carringtonmarine.com/ [https://carringtonmarine.com/] 206-784-7979 [tel:2067847979] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carringtonmarineservice/ [https://www.instagram.com/carringtonmarineservice/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579233227682 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579233227682]

Boat Detailing: What Owners Should Really Be Doing

Keeping a boat looking great — and protecting its value — takes more than an occasional wash. In this episode, we sit down with Jose Gallegos of Gallegos Yacht and Boat Service to talk about what proper boat care really involves, from routine washing and detailing to major repairs and refinishing projects. We discuss how often boats should be cleaned and waxed, what happens when maintenance is delayed, and why preventative care is almost always less expensive than restoration. Jose also walks through the process behind more intensive work — like removing old name shadowing from a transom, restoring damaged surfaces, and protecting boats from corrosion and environmental wear. Whether you handle your own maintenance or rely on professionals, this conversation offers practical guidance for keeping your boat in top condition season after season. Thank you to our guest, Jose Gallegos Gallegos Yacht and Boat Service 360-391-6726 [tel:3603916726] gallegosyachtservice@yahoo.com [gallegosyachtservice@yahoo.com]

Get to Know S3 Maritime: Full-Service Boat Care and a Hands-On Demo Boat for Upgrade Planning

In this episode of the Floatplan, Tim and Matt get together with Paul Zimmer and Kalin Tobin from S3 Maritime [https://www.s3maritime.com/] at Salmon Bay Marine Center in Seattle. The conversation begins with a discussion about who S3 is, what they do, and the range of services they provide — from refits and repairs to fabrication, electrical, and full-service boatyard work — before stepping aboard their extensively upgraded 2003 36’ Riviera Sportfish to see those capabilities in action. Kalin and Paul walk us through the systems installed on S3’s demo vessel, including Garmin and Raymarine electronics, FLIR thermal imaging, Seakeeper Ride stabilization, Dockmate remote docking, and a fullVictron lithium power system. The result is a boat that feels dramatically more modern — without the cost of buying new. This episode is a practical look at what today’s upgrades can actually do on the water. From digital switching and advanced navigation to stability and power management, the team explains how upgrades can be phased over time and tailored to real-world boating needs. You’ll also see how S3 uses this demo boat to let owners test equipment before investing — whether that’s joystick-style docking, thermal cameras for night navigation, or upgrading electrical systems for extended cruising. If you own an older boat, are considering upgrades, or want to understand what modern marine systems really offer, this episode provides a clear, real-world example of how a thoughtful refit can extend the life — and enjoyment — of a great boat. S3 Maritime (www.s3maritime.com [https://www.s3maritime.com/]) 2360 W. Commodore Way, Suite 200 Seattle, WA 98199 206-420-4932 [tel:2064204932] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/s3maritime [https://www.facebook.com/s3maritime] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s3maritime [https://www.instagram.com/s3maritime]