Gretchen Miles

Like so many native Washingtonians, Gretchen Miles is a lover of the outdoors. Early on it was the mountains, not the water that had her attention. Climbing has been a passion; hiking in the islands is certainly a passion. Boating may have started out on the periphery of Gretchen’s life it didn’t stay there.

A life-changing love of boating began when Gretchen and her husband Ron Miles chartered a Bayliner for their honeymoon. The "new-to-cruising" newlyweds didn't realize quite what they were getting into...“I call it ignorance is bliss. We just did it! Didn’t even think about it. It wasn’t a working honeymoon like chartering a sailboat would have been, but it was still a working honeymoon.”

The trip turned out to be a labor of love!

A few years later, Gretchen and Ron bought their first boat, a Bayliner 2858. Like so many boaters, the progression began: they purchased and loved a Mainship 390, followed by the chance to live aboard a DeFever 49. They found her in Alaska and had a six-week adventure bringing her home.

One day, they were in their dinghy circling around a boat they admired and were spotted by the boat’s owners, Scott and Lisa Helker (owners of Waterline Boats and Helmsman Trawlers). The initial exchange turned into a years’ long friendship and the two couples helped each other as they looked for their respective liveaboard vessels.

Gretchen found her boat-buying experience to be positive and enjoyable; she was inspired. She decided, as a yacht broker, she could use her knowledge and experience to help others through the process of buying and selling. Being a yacht broker is a chance to serve, to learn, and to ensure that sellers and buyers have as good a time finding or selling their boat as she did.

“I love learning about various models of boats. I had a really good experience (especially with Scott and Lisa) looking for my boat… I want people to enjoy their experience, I want them to feel supported. Whether working with a buyer, a seller or both, I am very transparent.…I want them to know I’m working on their behalf.”

Gretchen, Ron, and their Portuguese Water Dog Gracie now live aboard a Jefferson 64. Once merely on the periphery, boating is now a big and wonderful part of Gretchen’s life.

“We love to go out and anchor. One of our favorite islands is Sucia Island. We love Desolation Sound. Kayaking to an island, hiking the island, that’s our favorite way to relax.”

The dream is to take another trip to Alaska, a 3-month adventure. Until then she’s helping other boaters get a little closer to their boating dreams.

Would you like help in buying a boat, or do you have a boat to sell?

Contact Gretchen -

mobile - 425 231 0344

gretchen@waterlineboats.com

gretchen@boatshedseattle.com