For the past decade or so, we’ve spent considerable time on the shores of Pigeon Lake during the summer months. We have several vessels to enjoy the water with, from motorboat to canoes and kayaks. Still, the constant swarm of rental houseboats on the lake consistently catches our curiosity.
Even though one of the main companies is just across Nogies Creek Bay from the trailer park we’re at, and we spend a fair amount of time fishing just offshore from their marina, we knew very little about the way this branch of tourism worked.
Was it expensive? Was it dangerous? Was it family friendly? Was it more hassle than it’s worth? After all, we were already on the lake, why spend more money to be on the lake.
But, the idea persists. We enjoy our motorhome when we can and a houseboat seems to be exactly the same thing, just on water. So, I did a little research into the three houseboat rental companies in the Kawarthas. All three are located on Pigeon Lake, a pretty central location on the Trent Severn Waterway.
Here’s what I found:
The three companies are R & R Houseboat Rentals, Happy Days Houseboat Rentals and Egan Houseboat Rentals. It’s a good, better, best situation. Your budget will certainly determine what company you will rent through. All three essentially offer the same package. It’s the quality of that package that differs.
R & R Houseboat Rentals
Midpack, R&R is the company located across the bay from our trailer. The land location is on Mill Line Road, northeast of Bobcaygeon, Ontario.
R&R offers three different boats (actually four with a handicap accessible version of the 44′), a 40′, 44′ and 60′. Prime season one week rentals are $2,500 for the 40′, $2,700 for the 44′ and $7,900 for the 60′. Off prime season rates range from $1,300 to $7,300, depending on the size of boat. Shorter three and four day rentals are also available. These are 2020 rates.
For all three companies, prime season but simply is anytime your kids are on school vacation…
Both the 40′ and 44′ sleep up to ten adults while the 60′ sleeps up to 16 adults. This actually makes R&R the most economically if you’re planning on more than six passengers. Egan’s is cheaper overall but they have a six adult max on their largest boat.
Each boat comes with a slide, swimming platform, bathroom, dining area, shower, stove, fridge, furnace, bbq and upper deck. The 60′ comes with a few extra perks. There are eight private bedrooms, two bathrooms, a rooftop fire pit and a six person hot tub.
Included in your fee is a lock pass for the locks of the Trent Severn Waterway, insurance, propane, all safety equipment, toilet paper and all kitchen utensils, dishes, cookware, etc. Fuel is not included, of course. They ballpark it at a cost of $10-$15 per actual travelling hour.
All boats come with a 140 horsepower engine, more powerful than Egan but a little less oomph than Happy Days. But, hey, it’s a houseboat. There is an additional $40 charge for sewage pump-out at the end of the week.
Happy Days Houseboat Rentals
On the western shores of Pigeon Lake, eight kilometres south of Bobcaygeon, Happy Days is the deluxe rental company. Their boats, ranging from 40′ to 52′, can sleep anywhere from four to twelve.
The one week prime summer rental costs range from $3,200 for a 40′ six sleeper to $9,295 for a 52′ luxury 12 sleeper. As with the others, the prices are reduced in the spring and fall and there are shorter rental periods available.
All Happy Days boats come with private bedrooms, 3 piece bathroom, BBQ, stove, furnace, fridge/freezer and propane. The pump-out cost is free (or absorbed in the price..). A 3.0L Mercury engine propels all their boats.
The luxury 52′ boat is definitely the best you’re going to get in this area. Extras include 2 BBQs, a microwave oven, 32″ TV with satellite, DVD & stereo system, fireplace and outdoor rooftop kitchen.
Egan Houseboat Rentals
If Happy Days is the Cadillac, Egan is the KIA. Reliable, yes, but just not the same experience. Egan is located way down in the southern portion of Pigeon Lake near Omemee and Emily Park.
Egan has just two sizes of boat, a 32′ Seahawk and 40′ Seahawk. The 32′ sleeps six but has a four adult max. The prime season seven day rental is just $1,499, far below the other two companies. In the off prime season, you can have this rental for as low as $659.
The 40′ sleeps eight but with a six adult max. The prime season seven day rental is $1,899. Off season, it can be had for $759 to $959.
Both models run off a 115 HP engine. The power is sacrificed but the daily average of $50 in fuel (if travelling full time) is by far the best. Each includes a BBQ, fridge/freezer, stove and bathroom (toilet/shower).
Some Notes To Consider
- Happy Days has the most powerful engines.
- Happy Days is the only one with GPS (Egan and R&R provide just charts).
- Egan does not allow pets.
- Egan has the lowest limits on capacity.
- R&R has the largest boat option (60′) with the highest capacity (16).
- Egan is simply the cheapest.
- Egan has the lowest allowed capacity.
- Happy Days luxury model is the only one with TV/Satellite.
Things That Make Go Hmmm…
Watching houseboat renters navigate the locks in Fenelon Falls on a windy day or in Bobcaygeon when it’s at it’s busiest is a cruel source of entertainment. As you see from the picture included, these boats can get into some pretty uncomfortable situations. Not to mention, cause a lot of stress to the owners of high priced boats moored at these locations.
The Ontario Pleasure Craft Operator’s Card is a joke. It’s a one time, 15 minute multiple choice online test that is not proxied (so anyone can do it for anyone else). To rent a houseboat, you don’t even need this permit!
To rent an RV size boat, you need just complete an inhouse orientation with the houseboat company. You are then issued a temporary license that is good only for the time you’re renting the vessel. In other words, you need next to zero training to operate one of these beasts. Watch enough operators on the lake and this becomes very apparent!
