- Seattle might be home to the ideal social-distancing activity: Hot Tub Boats.
- Families or friends can rent out a floating hot tub and take it around Seattle’s Lake Union.
- The hot tub stays a warm 104 degrees Fahrenheit thanks to an onboard heater, and guests navigate the boat using a joystick.
- The boat rental costs $350 for two hours. The company also sells customized Hot Tub Boats, which start at $75,000.
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In the heart of Washington, people can rent a Hot Tub Boat, which is exactly what it sounds like – a small boat that functions as a hot tub.
Groups of six can rent out one of the floating hot tubs on Lake Union, a 580-acre lake in the middle of downtown Seattle. Each boat features an electric motor and an onboard diesel heater, which keeps the water a consistent 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
The boat is steered using a joystick and reaches a maximum speed of 5 mph. One person in each group is required to have a valid driver’s license in order to navigate the boat.
“It’s as simple as playing a video game for navigating it around,” Henry Burgess-Marshall, the head of marketing and operations, told Insider.
The concept originated with Adam Karpenske in 2011. The founder came up with the idea after living on a houseboat that didn't have room for a hot tub. The first boat was launched in 2012, and the company has been selling and renting them ever since.
Burgess-Marshall said social distancing has created a surge of interest in Hot Tub Boats
The activity takes place outside and guests only interact with a small group of friends or family members, so the Hot Tub Boats meet all of Seattle's social-distancing guidelines.
Burgess-Marshall added that no reservations overlap, so guests only come in contact with staff. Additionally, the boats are drained and sanitized between each use.
These factors combined have caused the company to experience a spike in rentals and purchase inquiries.
"This summer has been wonderfully hectic," he said. The Hot Tub Boats were completely booked up for July and August, which has never happened, he said.
The lake is home to an abundance of recreational activities
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While people enjoy the hot tub, they can watch seaplanes land, kayakers paddle by, and take in views of the Space Needle.
The company runs year-round. Burgess-Marshall said that in the summer, the lake is bustling with activity. If people are looking for a more peaceful experience, the spring and winter months are much quieter.
"To have something that's a little strange, a little quirky really works here in Seattle," Burgess-Marshall said.
The boats are available to rent or purchase
Two boats are currently available to rent with a third one almost complete, Burgess-Marshall said. He added that their goal is to have a fourth boat finished by next summer.
Burgess-Marshall said it's easier to get a reservation in the winter and spring, but he suggested booking a few weeks ahead of time in the summer to guarantee a spot.
Currently, the boats can only be rented for two hours, which will cost $350.
The boats launch from Lake Union, where guests have access to hot showers, lockers, and changing rooms.
If people are looking to own a Hot Tub Boat, the company also does custom builds that start at $75,000.
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