Summer Wave Houseboat Rentals

Summer Wave presented itself as a boutique, one-boat operation rather than a multi-model fleet. Public listings tied to the operator described a houseboat that slept about 10 people in five beds, with a rooftop hot tub. The amenity set already recorded on this site also listed a water slide, full kitchen, BBQ, and sun deck. We could not re-open the archived “The houseboat” page, so treat those extras as last-known rather than newly verified.

The 2017 rental-terms page said the boat boarded fully fuelled and supplied the following onboard:

• Cleaning aids, hand soap, and dish soap
• Mop and pail, broom and dustpan
• Tea towels and dish cloths
• Toilet paper, garbage bags, and matches
• Fire extinguishers
• Adult life jackets (listed as emergency use only)
• Deck chairs

Child-size jackets were also supplied, but the operator asked guests to bring jackets for anyone under 90 lb. Confirm nothing from this historical list if a later owner ever reactivates the name.

The last published calendar (summerwavehouseboats.ca/availability, archived May 2017) used three seasons and three stay lengths:

• 3-day weekend (Friday to Sunday)
• 4-day midweek (Monday to Thursday)
• 7-day week (Friday to Thursday)

Long weekends and holidays added $399. A $500 reservation deposit was required by Visa, Mastercard, or Interac e-transfer, with the balance due 60 days before departure. Orientation was 9–11 am; return was 11 am (no later than 1 pm in one section of the same page).

The archived site advertised the houseboat for family reunions, birthdays, anniversaries, and weddings. Small-boat launch use and provincial park permits were included at no extra charge. Bedding packages were the only optional rental named on the terms page.

Previous houseboat experience was not required. The 2017 terms said guests received a comprehensive captain’s lesson covering the lake system and how to operate the boat, with emergency assistance available at any time and routine service during normal working hours. The person signing the contract needed a valid driver’s licence and had to be at least 21. The designated captain and an alternate had to attend orientation and sign-off; other guests were encouraged to sit in for the safety and area briefing.

The archived rental terms required a valid driver’s licence and a minimum age of 21 for the contract signer. They did not spell out a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) rule. For any current Shuswap rental, confirm licensing with the operator you actually book. To get a Pleasure Craft Operator Card, go to our preferred partner, CanadaBoatSafety.com.

The archived site did not describe generator output, inverter capacity, or outlet voltage. Do not assume 110V household power without asking a current operator.

From the 2017 suggested packing list: bedding, pillows, bath towels, paper towels, clothes hangers, a basic first-aid kit, games and cards, extra deck or lounge chairs, water toys, diving gear, insect repellent, sunscreen, a propane lantern, an axe for campfires, hiking shoes, children’s life jackets for anyone under 90 lb, a flashlight, camera, binoculars, and enough food for the trip. The operator also asked guests to bring bottled drinking water. Groceries were available at Askews in Sicamous, plus a liquor store and two beer-and-wine shops; two floating stores sat at the Cinnemousin Narrows if you ran short on the lake.

Linens were not included. A bedding package — sheets, blanket, pillow, and bath towels — was offered at $25 plus tax per person, with limited availability and a requirement to reserve it at booking. That price is from the 2017 terms page.

The official rental-terms page did not state a pet policy. Separate classified ads for the same operator listed pets and cats as OK. Because those ads are not the contract, treat pets as unconfirmed for this closed listing.

Budget items named on the 2017 terms page (historical):

• Fuel used during the trip (the operator estimated about $30–$50 per day, depending on rpm and hours underway)
• A small propane and sewage-pumpout fee at return
• $2,500 refundable damage / security deposit (Visa, Mastercard, or cash)
• Insurance deductible of $2,500 per claim on the owner’s charter policy
• $399 add-on for long weekends and holidays
• $25 plus tax per person if you rented a bedding package
• Late-return fees; no refund for an early return

The $500 reservation deposit was non-refundable. Cancellations more than 60 days out refunded the rental fee minus that deposit; 30–60 days out refunded 50%; 30 days or less received no refund.

U.S. guests driving to Sicamous typically enter British Columbia via a land border (for example Huntingdon/Abbotsford or Osoyoos) and continue on Highway 1. Bring a passport or other document accepted by the Canada Border Services Agency and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Confirm current crossing rules before you travel.

The only optional rental named on the archived terms page was the bedding package. Small-boat launch access and provincial park permits were included. The page did not list ski boats, tubes, or personal watercraft for rent from Summer Wave itself.

• Swimming and sandy Shuswap beaches
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Water skiing
• Golf
• ATV riding and mountain biking
• Exploring waterfalls and more than 1,100 km of shoreline
• Restocking at the Cinnemousin Narrows floating stores