Whidbey visitors and residents alike can schedule some time to soak in a hand-crafted red cedar hot tub that can be delivered right to their backyard.

Freeland resident Paul Tschetter’s “side hustle” of the traveling hot tub began during the pandemic, when he wondered about providing a mobile service for the guests of his vacation rentals.

What initially started as an additional amenity for his guests visiting Whidbey Island has morphed into a business of its own, with interest from residents planning special occasions.

“People just freak out and they love it,” Tschetter said. “‘What, a hot tub?’”

People have rented the tub for family reunions, weddings and birthday parties, among other momentous events. It can cozily fit four adults.

“I couldn’t believe how many people responded and were excited about it,” he said.

July and August may be booked, but there’s still some openings between now and then.

Tschetter charges a weekend rate of $450 for four days or a weekly rate of $550 for seven days. Outside of the South Whidbey area, he charges a delivery fee.

There are some requirements that are necessary for the hot tub to work, such as a standard 110 volt electrical outlet, a hose bib and a relatively flat and hard surface accessible by truck and trailer.

The tub is self-contained, with low walls rising around it. Tschetter sets it atop a trailer — pulled by a truck — and discreetly delivers it to the drop-off location, where he installs it.

One time, he dropped the tub off 20 feet from the edge of a waterfront bluff overlooking Holmes Harbor.

“This one just has a really cool feel and smells good and looks like you’re just camping out,” he said.

Without water, it weighs about 1,500 pounds. After adding water, that changes to somewhere between 2,500 to 3,000 pounds.

The tub is equipped with a pool-sized UV filter light and a hot tub cartridge filter. Tschetter uses bromine instead of chlorine to treat the water, which is also changed out between uses.

Although he’s received requests from interested parties on the mainland, Tschetter said he plans to keep the tub contained to Whidbey Island.

In the future, Tschetter is hopeful he may be able to debut the tub at some community events, such as the Whidbey Island Fair or the Polar Bear Plunge at Double Bluff Beach.

“It just has a really cool Whidbey Island vibe to it,” he said.

For more information, visit whidbeymobilehottubrental.com.