By Kathy Klee, Feature writer, North Coast News
And so the Ocean Shores Electric Boat Company is no more. As we recently learned, Tom and Nancy Kimzey sold their successful establishment to Steve and Maria Borba at the beginning of this year. The business is now known as the Ocean Shores Boat House and will reopen on April 1st.
Steve retired from a 30-year career with the U.S. Navy on September 1, 2017. He specialized in administration and human relations as a Master Chief Petty Officer. Master Chiefs form the top 1.25 percent of enlisted members of maritime forces. During his career, Steve served on many different types of ships and visited a number of countries and ports of call. When the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami occurred, Steve was dispatched on the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier to Indonesia to provide disaster relief. His ship’s crew made many trips via helicopter to bring provisions to wherever they were needed. He also served in the Gulf War and other wars since. He says he has been adjusting to civilian life just fine, and although he found his Navy career to be immensely satisfying, he has “not looked back.”
Maria was born and raised in Iceland. She was fortuitously visiting her sister in Philadelphia during the Christmas holidays in 1990 when she happened to meet Steve in one of the Philly clubs. They both claim it was love at first sight for them, and they were married a year and a half later. Maria specialized in child development and offered home daycare for 17 years at the various bases at which Steve was stationed.
“We moved a lot and lived all over the world,” says Maria. They even enjoyed a two-year assignment in Iceland, where Steve was able to meet and get to know Maria’s family. Maria became a U.S. citizen in 2001.
After Steve’s retirement, they looked for a new place to call home. The Pacific Northwest beckoned them, and they first considered buying an RV park near Port Angeles, but ultimately decided it was not for them. They then turned to Google and searched for places that offered both close proximity to the ocean and tall trees. As luck would have it, they discovered Ocean Shores. Steve was enthralled by the extensive inland waterways that were part of the Ocean Shores peninsula. While doing further research on the waterways, he happened upon an ad for the Ocean Shores Electric Boat Company, and it was for sale. Things fell into place fairly quickly after that, and the Boat House started to become a reality.
The new name of Boat House evolved because the Borbas want to offer more than just the electric boats, and, to them, making available multiple types of watercraft equated to the need for a “boat house” in their minds. Steve points out that the 21’ Duffy electric boats will most likely continue to be the center of attraction to renters. Joining the fleet will be the following additional watercraft. You can see photos of them on their Facebook page.
Hydrobike Explorers – very stable and can handle headwinds of up to 30 mph. Like peddling a bike on a catamaran!
Sea Eagle NeedleNose Inflatable Stand-up Paddle Boards – the bow design slices through the water and wind and provides superior tracking. A fast and sleek experience in the water.
Hobie Mirage Eclipse 12.0 Pedalboards – they glide with ease through the water by pumping the elliptical-type pedals for a fluid and fun ride. Chart your own course!
Sea Eagle 385FT Kayaks – the state of the art NeedleKnife Keel gives a fast and smooth experience, while offering safety and stability.
The Borbas are very enthusiastic and excited about their new watercraft rental operation. As Steve likes to say, “ This business is our passion. Our goal is to provide a way for people to enjoy the 23 miles of inland waterways in Ocean Shores.” Their motto is “We outfit, you explore,” and they are very serious about creating that possibility for as many adventurous customers as they can.
Kay Borba, Steve’s mother, will be helping the Borbas to run their new business and will serve as the bookkeeper and secretary. Kay is currently in the process of relocating from Fresno, California.
You may wonder why the reopening date is scheduled for April 1st. It’s a date that is very important to Steve. On April 1, 1893, the Navy officially established the rank of Chief Petty Officer. For the past 125 years, the Navy has celebrated the date each year throughout the fleet. “It’s the Navy Chiefs’ birthday,” says Steve.
In the off-season the Borbas plan to do some exploring of their own and enjoy their favorite pastimes, which are hiking and kayaking. Steve also intends to complete his bachelor’s degree and then go on to earn a master’s degree in business administration.
Please visit and like the Ocean Shores Boat House page on Facebook. You can find out more about the various watercraft that will be offered, see photos, and find out the rates. Additional info can be found on their website at osboathouse.com. For reservations: 360-289-0487.
