I Always Wanted A Boat Friend...

Center for Wooden Boats
Free Rides Sundays
9/10 on my bangin' scale.

 ... Now that friend is a steam launch named Puffin. She's a bit of a cougar (she was originally built in 1906), but that only makes her all the more alluring.

If you're wondering about the FREE Sunday sails at the Center for Wooden Boats, here's the down low:

• You have to get there before 10am to sign up at 10. According to a volunteer at the Center, a good time to get there is around 9:15am on sunny summer weekends. She also suggested coming in October, when summertime crowds start to die down.
• If you want a sailboat, make sure you get there earlier than we did. My group of 3 arrived at 9:55, which was cutting it a bit close for signups. By the time we got inside, all of the sail boats were taken... but that was OK, since we really wanted to ride Puffin! 
• Come back at your assigned time (we got a 1pm time slot) to get lifejackets and board your boat.
• Enjoy a 45 minute ride past Lake Union houseboats (yes, you'll see the house from "Sleepless in Seattle"), Gas Works Park, and various drunken boat parties (weather permitting).

Center for Wooden Boats dock

Now, about my steamy journey aboard the Puffin. I know I'm biased (at the time of writing she's the only boat I've boarded at the CWB), but I'd have to say this boat has to be the best at the Center. How many times in your life do you have the opportunity to ride a tiny, early 1900s steam boat? Three volunteer crew members attended to steering and feeding the Puffin (her boiler is hungry), while we lounged around tooting her horn.

Our volunteer captain posing with the Puffin's boiler

Forge ahead, Puffin!

I would highly recommend for all Seattleites to go to Free Sunday "Sails" at CWB. And at least twice. Do it. It's Cheap. Cheap. Cheap.