Navigating Community: How One Entrepreneur is Anchoring Hayden Island

For more than two decades, Justin King has been a familiar face and steady presence in the Hayden Island community. Now, with a new café Navigator Coffee Co. and Hayden Island Boat Rentals on the island, Justin is combining his entrepreneurial experience with his lifelong love for the water to create something uniquely community-driven.

"I’ve had my boats moored at one marina or another for the past many years," Justin shares. “When I decided to look for a brick-and-mortar for my rentals, it made sense that I would do it over here on this river…I’ve been around here for a long time.”

From One Borrowed Boat to Island Boat Rentals

The boat rental business grew organically. Years ago, a friend asked to borrow Justin’s personal boat, sparking an idea. He realized he could turn his passion for boating into access for others. Hayden Island Boat Rentals now lowers the barriers to getting on the water, especially for locals who face short seasons and high ownership costs.

Hayden Island Boat Rentals is designed as a gateway to boating: simple booking, and straightforward rates, Justin keeps the fleet of pontoon boats intentionally approachable and well-maintained, drawing on years of hands-on tinkering to minimize surprises on the water.

Why “Navigator”?

When the opportunity arose to lease a space at a marina that was preparing to close, Justin seized the moment. While he hadn’t planned on it, the idea of opening a low-maintenance café made sense both logistically and personally. “I needed an office on land, but I wasn’t going to rent a whole building just for that,” he explains. “A café is universal… Everyone drinks coffee and smoothies.”

That’s how Navigator Coffee Co. was born. “It’s called 'Navigator' because coffee and smoothies are how I navigate my day,” he says, with a smile. “Plus, it's nautical, it fits.” More than just a clever name, the café is designed to be a simple, accessible and ever-growing spot for both locals and visitors to gather. 

An Island on the Rise

As much as these projects are about passion and lifestyle, they’re also about community impact. “A lot of people who live here…don't have a lot of boating under their belt because there's only a short bloating season” he explained “If I can make that more accessible and get people out on boats and experiencing the joy of being on the river, then that's cool.”

To support that goal, Justin offers island resident discounts for both boat rentals and at the café. He’s also working with other local businesses to host events like raffles and community markets. “Cafés are community spaces,” he says. “I think the island could really use that.”

Justin sees the revitalization of Hayden Island as a net positive. “The marinas have gotten cleaned up and maintained,” he observes. “I think the island's in a really good spot right now for growth and regrowth.”