What Community Boating Center does

Community Boating Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 20-4946594) founded in 2006 that began public operations in 2007 on Bellingham Bay in Fairhaven, Bellingham, Washington. It is governed by an independent board of directors and led by Executive Director Bryan Rust, with a full-time leadership team of approximately nine staff and a seasonal crew bringing total headcount to roughly 30+. The organization's mission is to foster small-watercraft education, access, safe recreation, and marine stewardship on Bellingham Bay and the Salish Sea. Unlike a yacht club, it operates without memberships or dues, with scholarships covering up to 100% of program costs for qualifying participants.

The core product portfolio is delivered from a single waterfront campus at 555 Harris Ave., adjacent to the public boat launch in Fairhaven, and includes: hourly and seasonal rentals of kayaks, paddleboards, dinghy and keel sailboats, and rowboats (with US Sailing/ACA-certified skill tests required for independent access to higher-skill craft); tiered season passes ($250–$600/year); youth programming for ages 5–17 (camps, after-school, internship pipeline); adult instruction (sailing, sea kayaking, rowing); guided experiences (bioluminescence paddles, evening sails); a portfolio of inclusive community sessions organized by affinity (Pride Paddles, Wild Women, Adaptive Splash, Silver Splash, BIPOC programming, Warriors on the Water for veterans/first responders); private lessons; skill tests; and venue rental of the Wheelhouse Building. Operational technology is largely standard small-business SaaS — FareHarbor for booking, SmartWaiver for liability waivers, Givelively for donations, Google Forms for intake — alongside a Port-of-Bellingham-hosted webcam network (Fairhaven Boatramp, Fairhaven Cove Panorama, Post Point Buoy, Zuanich Park) that doubles as community infrastructure. The organization is a Certified Clean Marina.

Revenue is generated through a hybrid nonprofit model combining tax-deductible charitable contributions (440 families delivered $230K+ in 2023 to the Wheelhouse Campaign and operations), grant funding (Whatcom Community Foundation, Corinthian Yacht Club, Maritime Washington, Recreation and Conservation Office), corporate sponsorships, earned program and rental fees, season passes, moorage fees ($0.50/foot/day, 24-foot minimum), and Wheelhouse Building venue rentals ($75–$200/hour). Distribution is fully direct and on-site at the Bellingham waterfront, with no retail or remote channels, and go-to-market relies on community-led and event-driven motions (Beats on the Bay concerts, Tide Talks speaker series, Pride Paddles, partner referrals from schools, veterans organizations, and adaptive recreation nonprofits). The operating window is seasonal, mid-April through mid-October.

Name

Community Boating Center

Legal name

Community Boating Center

Website

https://boatingcenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Community Boating Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2006 that delivers small-watercraft rentals, US Sailing/ACA-certified instruction, guided experiences, and inclusive community programming on Bellingham Bay in Fairhaven, Bellingham, Washington, serving youth, adults, veterans, LGBTQ+, seniors, adaptive, and BIPOC participants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Boating Education and Recreation Services

NAICS

Marinas (71393), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (487210), Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Water & Marine Guiding Services (Kayak, Canoe, Raft, SUP, Sailing) (THAAALAB)

Keywords

• Boating education programs
• Youth sailing instruction
• Adaptive paddling programs
• Marine stewardship education
• Small watercraft rentals

Headquarters

HQ city

Bellingham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The CBC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 20-4946594) that relies heavily on tax-deductible donations from sponsors, individual donors, and monthly Navigator contributors. In 2023, the organization received support from 440 different families delivering over $230,000 for the Wheelhouse Campaign and operations.
2. Season Passes: Annual season passes providing unlimited rental access for one year. Keelboat Plus Pass ($600), Dinghy Plus Pass ($300), Human Powered Pass ($250). No memberships or dues required.
3. Hourly and Daily Rentals: Revenue from renting kayaks, sailboats, rowboats, paddleboards, and keelboats on an hourly basis. Includes skill tests for certain craft types.
4. Youth and Adult Programs: Fees from sailing camps, kayaking programs, private lessons, and skill development classes for youth and adults.
5. Moorage Fees: Dry moorage for sailboats, kayaks, rowboats; and wet moorage via Fairhaven Mooring Buoys managed on behalf of Port of Bellingham. Daily moorage at $0.50/foot with 24-foot minimum.
6. Wheelhouse Building Rentals: Event venue rental revenue from the Wheelhouse Building with various configurations (indoor space, porch, below deck patio, waterfront). Rental rates from $75-$200/hour.
7. Corporate Sponsorships: Business sponsorship packages offering recognition on waterfront, website, newsletters, social media, and community events, plus exclusive on-the-water outings for sponsors.
8. Grant Funding: Grant funding from organizations including Whatcom Community Foundation, Corinthian Yacht Club, Recreation and Conservation Office, and Maritime Washington for specific programs and facilities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Community Boating Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating from its Fairhaven waterfront campus on Bellingham Bay, offering boat rentals (kayaks, paddleboards, rowboats, dinghy sailboats, keelboats), dry and wet moorage, US Sailing and ACA certified instruction (skill tests, private lessons, youth and adult classes), and a Wheelhouse event venue. It also delivers inclusive community sessions and affinity programs for LGBTQ+, veterans, BIPOC, seniors, and adaptive participants, plus guided experiences such as bioluminescence paddles and evening sails, and educational programming like the Tide Talks speaker series.

Product overview

The Community Boating Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit offering a comprehensive portfolio of small-watercraft education and recreation programs on Bellingham Bay. The organization provides boat rentals (kayaks, paddleboards, sailboats, rowboats), skill certification testing, and structured programming across multiple categories: Youth Programs (camps and after-school for ages 5-17), Adult Programs (sailing, kayaking, rowing), Guided Experiences (bioluminescence paddles, evening sails), Community Sessions (inclusive Pride, Wild Women, Adaptive, Veterans, Silver Senior, BIPOC programs), and Private Lessons. Additional offerings include moorage facilities, Wheelhouse Building event venue rental, and special events like Beats on the Bay concerts and Tide Talks speaker series. The Center operates on a no-membership, no-dues model with scholarships covering up to 100% of costs for qualifying participants.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Boat Rentals Hourly rentals of kayaks, stand-up paddleboards (single and Mega SUP), rowboats, dinghy sailboats, and keelboats for individuals and groups on Bellingham Bay. Skill tests required for sea kayaks, sliding-seat rowboats, dinghies, and keelboats. Open to all without membership.
• Skill Tests Two-hour on-water certification assessments with instructors that authorize independent rental of sea kayaks, sliding-seat rowboats, dinghies, and keelboats. Tests expire after two years of inactivity.
• Moorage Dry moorage with 24-hour access for sailboats, kayaks, and rowboats up to 26 feet, plus Fairhaven mooring buoys managed on behalf of Port of Bellingham at $0.50/foot daily with 24-foot billing minimum, May–October.
• Wheelhouse Building Venue Rental Event venue rental on the waterfront with upstairs indoor space (capacity 49), kitchenette, projector, back porch, and covered patio. Configurations range from Wheelhouse-only at $75/hour to Full Campus at $200/hour.
• Youth Programs After-school and summer sailing, kayaking, and paddling instruction for ages 5-17, including Little Lady Luffers, She Sails, Teen She Sails, and youth internship programs. Scholarships cover up to 100% of program costs.
• Adult Sailing Keelboat and dinghy sailing instruction following US Sailing standards for adults, with skill assessment upon course completion enabling independent boat rental.
• Adult Sea Kayaking Sea kayaking instruction covering cold-water conditions and deep-water rescue skills for ocean paddling on Bellingham Bay.
• Private Lessons Personalized one-on-one instruction in sea kayaking, sailing, paddleboarding, and rowing for all experience levels at $75/hour per person, $40/hour for each additional participant, with a 1.5-hour minimum.
• Guided Experiences Guided Bioluminescence Paddles (3-hour, ages 10+) and Evening Sails (2-hour, ages 10+, all abilities welcome) led by naturalist instructors on Bellingham Bay.
• Warriors on the Water Sailing and kayaking program for veterans and first responders offering healing through nature, partnerships with Growing Veterans and Bellingham Vet Center. Standard fee $10–$30 with pay-it-forward ($15–$45) and free pay-what-you-can options.
• Adaptive Programs Inclusive paddling and sailing experiences for individuals with physical and developmental disabilities in partnership with Max Higbee Center, Cascade Connections, AIROW Project, and F.A.C.E.S. Adaptive fleet includes Hansa 303 and Hansa Liberty with power assist units.
• Out on the Water (LGBTQ+) LGBTQ+ affinity boating program offering weekly Pride Paddles, Pride Paddle Parade, and Remembrance Day gatherings in partnership with Bellingham Queer Collective. Open to LGBTQ+ adults, families, elders, and newcomers.
• Wild Women Women-focused sailing and kayaking programs including Little Lady Luffers (ages 5-7), She Sails (ages 8-12), Teen She Sails (ages 13-17), and multi-week intensives for youth and adults, in partnership with Shifting Gears and Wild Whatcom.
• Silver Splash Senior-focused paddling and sailing programs with 50% discount on season passes, designed for older adults seeking active waterfront recreation and community connection.

Quantifiable outcome

• 426+ LGBTQ+ paddlers and sailors served since 2022
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles8 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Western Washington University Marine and Coastal SciencescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Partnership established in 2022 to study bioluminescence in the Salish Sea. WWU students serve as bioluminescence interns, conducting research on planktonic species and ecosystem health. Dr. James Dimond serves as capstone coordinator. SciTech and Engineering departments assist with custom light sensor development.
• Bellingham Queer CollectivecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Hosts Pride Paddle Parade and Remembrance Day gatherings in partnership with Bellingham Queer Collective. Collaborative programming for LGBTQ+ community and allies.
• Growing VeteranscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Founded by combat veteran Christopher Brown and farmer Christina Wolf, Growing Veterans uses farming and outdoor experiences to support veteran reintegration. Partners with CBC for Warriors on the Water sailing and kayaking programs.
• Max Higbee CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFree community paddling sessions for youth and adults with developmental disabilities. Part of Adaptive Splash programming every Thursday May-September. Supports CBC's mission to make boating accessible to all abilities.
• Cascade ConnectionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for adaptive paddling programs. Cascade Connections empowers people with disabilities to enhance quality of life through residential, vocational, and training services. 40+ years of community involvement.
• The AIROW ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreates adaptive and inclusive recreation opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Provides fun introduction to ocean kayaking in safe environment with adaptive support needed.
• F.A.C.E.S. NorthwestminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTherapeutic recreational day camp for children and young adults with autism ages 5+. CBC provides on-water programming for their summer day camps in partnership with school districts for Extended School Year programs.
• Bellingham Vet CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVeterans affairs center providing counseling and peer support. Partners with CBC for Warriors on the Water program, connecting veterans to water-based recreation as complementary mental health support.
• The Bronze ChaptercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit transforming what the outdoors can look and feel like for Black, Indigenous, and people of color. Partnership to make outdoor recreation accessible, inclusive, joyful, and engaging through dedicated BIPOC programming.
• Schooner ZodiacminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for Beats on the Bay floating concert series. Schooner Zodiac provides concert venue on historic sailing vessel while CBC provides watercraft rental options for concert-goers.
• Whatcom Coalition for Environmental Education (WCEE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoordinator of Snow to Sea program - outdoor learning pathway for middle school students following water from mountain to sea. Brings together multiple community organizations for place-based education.
• Whatcom Conservation DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides mobile watershed educational model and farm visits for Snow to Sea program. Teaches water quality monitoring and best management practices for protecting salmon habitat.
• Gardens of the Salish SeaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliate of Pacific Shellfish Institute providing marine educators for Snow to Sea program. Students explore intertidal ecosystems and shellfish anatomy at Birch Bay.
• Vamos Outdoors ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBilingual, culturally responsive co-teaching for Snow to Sea program ensuring Latinx, migrant, and multilingual students feel welcomed, represented, and celebrated in outdoor spaces.
• Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSnow science programming for Snow to Sea program. Introduces students to snowpack layers, crystal structures, and water content at Mount Baker ski area.
• Camp SaturnaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost for Snow to Sea 7th grade overnight field experience at Silver Lake. Provides water quality testing, stream ecology, macroinvertebrates, food webs, and recreation stations.
• Shifting GearsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Wild Women programming breaking down barriers between women and outdoor aspirations. Collaborative women-specific programming on the water.
• Wild WhatcomminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Wild Women programming supporting women's access to outdoor recreation and adventure sports.
• Port of BellinghamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosts CBC webcams on property with permission and support. Manages public moorage through CBC. Future small watercraft dock planned for 2027 with four transfer lift stations and ADA-accessible facilities.
• Bay Area Association of Disabled Sailors (BAADS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVisit to BAADS in San Francisco to learn adaptive sailing techniques. BAADS volunteer John Wallace offered to build power assist unit for CBC at no cost. Sharing expertise on power assist units and Hansa Liberty sailing for independent adaptive sailing.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Community Boating Inc. Boston, MA nonprofit community sailing center offering affordable sailing instruction and rentals on the Charles River. Operates with a similar mission of universal access to boating, making it a directly comparable community boating nonprofit.
• Sail Newport: Newport, RI nonprofit sailing center providing community access to sailing, education programs, and adaptive sailing initiatives. Directly comparable as a multi-program community sailing nonprofit serving diverse demographics.
• Bay Area Association of Disabled Sailors (BAADS): San Francisco adaptive sailing nonprofit referenced as a partner of CBC. Direct peer in the adaptive boating niche, sharing expertise on Hansa Liberty and power-assist units that CBC has now adopted in its fleet.
• Northwest Maritime Center: Port Townsend, WA nonprofit offering maritime education, small-craft instruction, and community boating programs. Same regional market, similar nonprofit structure, and overlapping offerings in youth sailing and marine stewardship.
• Cal Sailing Club: Berkeley, CA nonprofit sailing club offering windsurfing, dinghy sailing, and keelboat instruction to the public. Closely comparable small-watercraft community access model with no-membership ethos.
• Hudson River Community Sailing: NYC-area nonprofit community sailing organization offering affordable instruction, adaptive sailing, and youth programs. Direct peer with comparable no-membership inclusive access model and adaptive programming focus.
• The Center for Wooden Boats: Pacific Northwest community maritime center in Seattle offering small-watercraft rentals, sailing instruction, and educational programs with similar mission-driven, no-membership access model. Operates Lake Union as a community boating hub, closely comparable to CBC's Fairhaven waterfront model.
• Wooden Boat Foundation: Maine-based maritime education nonprofit offering community boatbuilding, sailing instruction, and youth programs. Direct peer operating with similar mission-driven, education-first model on the East Coast.
• Salish Sea Expeditions: Seattle-based marine education nonprofit offering youth sailing and marine science programs in the Salish Sea. Direct peer in regional market with overlapping youth and marine stewardship mission.

Broad incumbents

• Mystic Seaport Museum: Large Connecticut maritime museum and education institution offering small-craft sailing, boatbuilding, and youth programs. Broader scale and museum focus, but overlapping mission in maritime education and community boating access.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/cbcbellingham
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/community-boating-center-nb

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Community Boating Center