There’s a new boat in town. In December 2018, Travis Potter launched Captain’s Call Lake Tours and Vessel Assist on Lake Coeur d’Alene, with $149 eagle-viewing tours. “The boat’s in the water all year,” says Captain Potter. “I can pretty much do whatever anyone requests of me on the lake, except fishing.”
Captain Travis Potter grew up water skiing and spending time on boats in Western Washington. About eight years ago, he and his wife, Heather, decided to move to Coeur d’Alene to provide a quieter place for his three boys to grow up. They bought a home on the lake in Kidd Island Bay and have enjoyed watching Elijah (13), Ezekiel (10), and Ernie (7) fish, paddle the water, and play in the woods. “It’s a great spot for them,” says Potter. “They live like Huckleberry Finn out here.”
Not too long after moving here and getting his captain’s license, Potter bumped it up to a Master Captain’s license and began driving the eagle boats for the Coeur d’Alene Resort. But he soon realized that there was a need for a scenic tour service for smaller, more intimate groups than the large resort boats could accommodate. There was also the need for a dedicated water taxi and tow service in Coeur d’Alene, especially in the winter. “The big boats have their routes,” Potter says, “but I can tailor my itinerary to wherever you want to go.”
The Captain’s Call menu of services includes scenic tours, 24/7 towing services, water DUI pick ups, private dock supply runs, and even a Harrison lunch or dinner package. And, if you have your own boat or have rented a boat and don’t want to pilot it, Captain Potter is also a captain for hire. “If you don’t want to deal with the water traffic, want to go bar hopping, or just don’t want to drive, I will captain your boat, get you wherever you want to go, and then get you back safely.”
Captain’s Call rates start at $99/hour, with additional charges for towing, night rides, and after-hours calls. Potter’s boat can take a maximum of six passengers, but he is licensed to captain up to 149 people on a Coast Guard-approved vessel. For all your Lake Coeur d’Alene boating needs, call Captain Potter at (208) 691-0084 or book a trip at Thecaptainscall.com.
“With all the tourists we get in the summer,” says Potter, “and the way this town is growing, I want to fill that need for people who really want to get out and see the lake from the water. There really isn’t anyone else doing anything like this.”
