Big Rideau Lake Houseboat Rentals
About This Company
Big Rideau Lake Houseboats ceased operations at the end of 2024.
Houseboating on Rideau Lake has been a delight for so many people over the years. You can boat through the many lakes and canals in the area and enjoy swimming, fishing and other watersports. You can prepare your own meals and enjoy your daily catch or dine at one of the many restaurants in the area.
The type of holiday you are looking for is totally up to you. You can meet new friends or just relax in one of the many quiet secluded areas. Enjoy the number of number of small towns along the way to enjoy shopping, groceries and restaurants.
Houseboats
Big Rideau Lake Houseboats have four models to choose from; 32’ sleeps 2 adults and 2 children, 37’ sleeps 4 adults, 40’ sleeps 6 adults and 2 children and the 42’ sleeps 6 adults. Houseboats include:
- Fully equipped kitchen
- Bathroom with toilet, shower and sink
- Air conditioned
- Deck chairs
- BBQ
Note: 2010 pricing sheet on website is out of date and prices have increased. Contact Big Rideau Lake Houseboats for accurate pricing.
Experience Required
Previous experience is not required. You will be provided instruction on operating the houseboat, safety requirements, how to read maps, buoys and channel markets.
Licensing
You do not require a boating license (Pleasure Craft Operator Card) to rent a houseboat. Prior to departure you will be provided a safety checklist for review. Be sure to ask any questions if you are not sure. Once completed you will be issued a temporary license that is good for your trip. You will need to keep this document readily available if request by officials.
To get your Pleasure Craft Licence, go to our preferred partner, CanadaBoatSafety.com.
What to Bring
For a complete list of recommended items to bring check out the checklist.
What to Bring
Pets
Big Rideau Lake Houseboats are pet friendly and will welcome one large or two small dogs on some boats. Contact them directly for details.
Additional Costs
There are a number of additional costs that you should budget for during your vacation and will depend on the duration of your trip and the distance traveled. Each operator has different policies and should be discussed directly with them. Some additional costs to be aware of include:
- Fuel
- Oil
- Pumpout
- Mooring fees
- Locking fees (except 2017 - Canada 150)
It is recommended to fully discuss all addtional fees.
Other Rental Items Available
Kayaks are available for rent as well as small pontoon boats and jet skis.
Local Weather
May to October weather for Portland, on Big Rideau Lake, Ontario, in half-month steps (days 1–15 and 16 through the end of the month). Air, precipitation, and wet days use nearby Drummond Centre observations, about 37 km away (climate ID 6102J13).
- Each tile is one half-month from May through October. Early is days 1–15. Late is day 16 through the end of the month. Every tile shows a value.
- Air temperature, precipitation, and wet-day percentage are 2021–2025 daily averages from Environment and Climate Change Canada, Drummond Centre (climate ID 6102J13). High and low are the average of each year’s half-month mean, so each year counts equally. A year is included for a variable only when that half-month was observed on at least 80% of its days. Precipitation is the mean of each included year’s half-month total; missing days are not filled in. A wet day has at least 0.2 mm, among precipitation observations in the years included for that half-month. Days flagged missing are left out.
- Every half-month has observations on at least 80% of its days, so all five years are included. The largest gap in an included half-month is 1 day, in early July 2023.
- Precipitation is liquid equivalent (rain plus the water in any snow), in millimetres per half-month.
- Sunshine is not biweekly. Drummond Centre does not publish bright sunshine. Each month’s existing normal is repeated on both of that month’s tiles. Those hours are 1981–2010 normals from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (climate ID 6106000), about 55–80 km northeast, not a 2021–2025 average.
- 10 days in the included half-months are flagged as a trace (under 0.2 mm). A trace counts as dry and adds nothing to the half-month total.
- Tile temperatures are rounded to the nearest degree.
Contact Information
Location Address
15 Water St Portland, Ontario
Driving Distances/Time From
Location
Amenities
Contact Information
Website
bigrideauhouseboats.ca