Frequently Asked Questions
Which boats have a flybridge?
Do you supply kid’s life jackets?
Do you allow pets?
Do you offer ‘Early Boarding’?
Which soaps are biodegradable?
How many people can sleep on each boat?
How far can we get?
How much can we expect to spend on gas?
What is included / not Included in the rental fee?
What is the Damage Deposit Buydown?
What else do you rent?
Do I require a boat license?
Do I need a fishing license?
Can we travel on Lake Simcoe?
Do cell phones work on the water?
How big is the refrigerator?
Where can we stay at night?
Are the bugs bad?
Emergency on board?
Cancellation Policy
Other questions we get alot
What to Bring With You
Whats Provided For You
Whats included with the Boat
Which boats have a flybridge?
A Flybridge allows you to drive your houseboat from the roof/top deck of the boat.
All of our 32′, 40′ & 56’ houseboats have a flybridge
Do you supply kid’s life jackets?
Yes. We offer children’s Personal Floatation Devices (PFD) on site, based on the weight range of the child. If required, please let us know prior to your arrival to have them ready.
However, we would prefer you to bring your own to ensure a proper fit.
Do you allow pets?
We allow small pets (at a cost of $75) and service animals, to a maximum of 2. Your pet or service animal will count towards the total occupancy of the houseboat. EGAN HOUSEBOAT VACATIONS reserves the right to charge any additional cleaning services caused due to your pet or service animal, to a maximum of $300.
*Please note that all animals MUST BE CRATED while your boat is unattended. Crates are not supplied, you are responsible to bring your own.
Do you offer ‘Early Boarding’?
Yes, we offer Early Boarding for 7-day and 4-day midweek rentals. Time and weather permitting, this allows you to leave the night prior to your booking date; or it can give you an early start the next morning.
There is a $99 charge for this, and it must be pre-arranged with the office.
Which soaps are biodegradable?
Dawn dish soap is biodegradable.
Herbal Essence Shampoo and Conditioner are biodegradable.
Bar Soap marked biodegradable – there are many different scents to choose from.
How many people can sleep on each boat?
Boat rented must not exceed maximum capacity:
- 32′ – 4 adults on 2 double beds, 2 children on pull down bunk;
- 40′ – 6 adults on 3 double beds, 2 children on pull down bunk
(2 additional adults or children if equipped with Rooftop Sleeper) - 42′ – 10 adults;
- 56’ – 15 adults.
How far can we get?
- A 7-day rental will allow you to travel to Young’s Point OR to Balsam Lake and back to our Marina;
- A 4-day rental weekend or midweek will allow you to travel to Fenelon Falls OR Burleigh Falls and back to our Marina.
- From our Marina on Pigeon Lake you are able to travel 5 lakes without going through any locks: Pigeon Lake, Big Bald Lake, Little Bald Lake, Upper Buckhorn Lake and Chemong Lake.
These travel estimations will vary based on weather conditions & time of departure.
Absolutely no crossing Lake Simcoe in our houseboats.
How much can we expect to spend on gas?
Typically our guests travel about 3-4 hours a day. The fuel will cost about $20 per hour, this will vary depending on how far and how fast you travel each day. You will not need to fill up everyday, and you will be filled again at the end of your vacation at our Marina.
What is included in the rental fee?
The rental rate includes the use of our houseboat (including propane, lock passes, kitchen supplies, safety equipment, tablet, water charts, pump out).
What is not included in the rental fee?
The rental fee does not include 13% HST tax, Damage Deposit, fuel at end of trip, and additional fees may apply for overnight dockage/mooring if you choose to stay at certain locations.
What is the Damage Deposit buydown?
With all of our houseboats you will need to leave a Damage Deposit, varying on the size of boat you rent. We will hold this Damage Deposit for the duration of your rental and return this back to you at the end of your rental when all equipment is returned in good working order without damage. We offer a buy down of this deposit at a cost of $30/day.
*Some homeowners insurance policies offer coverage for rental vehicles, please be aware that even if damages occur in this situation, the cost of damages will be taken out of your Damage Deposit.
- 32′ Houseboat – $2500 Damage Deposit can be reduced to $500
- 40′ Houseboat – $2500 Damage Deposit can be reduced to $750
- 42′ Houseboat – $2500 Damage Deposit can be reduced to $1000
- 56’ Houseboat – $2500 Damage Deposit – No buydown offered
What else do you rent?
- Linens $50/Bed
- Children’s Life Jackets are FREE upon request. (We will require the child’s weight in advance to provide the correct size)
Do I require a boat license?
No, to rent with us, the Pleasure Craft Operator’s Card is not required at this time. However, you must be at least 25 years of age and hold a valid driver’s license. Upon completion of the orientation training, we will issue a temporary license in accordance with the Coast Guard requirements. This license is only valid during the rental agreement period with Egan Houseboat Vacations.
We highly encourage our guests to obtain the PCOC but it is not required.
the Link below will take you to a PCOC Course.
Click Here to Take the Boaters Operators Card Course
The PCOC will give you a base theory of boating and operating the houseboat, we also provide driving and docking lessons upon arrival. Our staff will take you out in our little bay for practice driving and docking with supervision until you feel comfortable on your own.
Do I need a fishing license?
Anyone between the ages of 18 and 65 needs to obtain a fishing license. They are available at Home Hardware in Bridgenorth (closest to our location), many locations on the water or online at www.huntandfishontario.ca (Zone 17)
FISHING SEASON Opens:
2nd Saturday in May – Walleye/Pickerel
1st Saturday in June – Muskie
3rd Saturday in June – Large and Smallmouth Bass
4th Saturday in April – Trout
See Ontario Fishing Regulation Summary Zone 17 for slot size and limits.
https://www.ontario.ca/page/fisheries-management-zone-17-fmz-17
Can we travel on Lake Simcoe?
No. We do not allow our houseboats to travel on Lake Simcoe. It is such a large body of water where the waves can reach over 6ft high. The houseboats were not designed to travel in that size of wave.
Do cell phones work on the water?
Yes, however, it is like anywhere else – it depends on who your carrier is. The best ones for our area are Bell and Rogers. Most U.S. carriers have an arrangement with Canadian carriers to pick up your service in this area.
How big is the refrigerator?
Our 32′, 40′ and 42′ have a 7.5 cu.ft. RV fridge with separate freezer. The 56′ has two of these units.
Where can we stay at night?
You can anchor in a bay, tie to crown lands / abandon shore line, this includes pieces of land that do not have any structures or no trespassing signs on it, or stay at the dock at our Marina – all free of charge. You can also stay at the locks, marinas, campgrounds and trailer parks along your route. Some of them will charge according to the facilities they offer. Call ahead or pull in and ask for availability.
Are the bugs bad?
We always recommend bringing bug repellent items, including bug spray along. Being on the open water most of the day combined with a natural breeze or breeze from travel will keep most bugs away. They will get bad for an hour or so around dusk depending where you dock, forested areas will be worse than open areas.
Emergency on board?
In the event of an emergency or breakdown, you will be provided with help line numbers to call for assistance.
Cancelation Policy
- If you cancel, for any reason, prior to 30 days before your reservations start date are subject to a $100.00 admin fee and the remainder of your booking deposit will be returned to you.
Date changes within this timeframe will be permitted with no penalty. - If you cancel, for any reason, within 30 days of your reservations start date, it will be a loss of your booking deposit and 50% of the balance paid 30 days prior to the rental.
Date changes within 30 days of your rental will be at a fee of $300.00. - If you cancel, for any reason, within 14 days of your reservations start date it will be a loss of your booking deposit and 100% of the balance paid 30 days prior to the rental.
Date changes within 14 days of your rental will be at a fee of $500.00.
WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU
- Everything you want to eat and drink, including drinking water
- All bedding including sheets and pillows – all double beds
(We offer linen rentals for $50/bed) - All personal belongings and hygiene items
- Everything for the bathroom except toilet paper (2 rolls supplied)
- Towels – kitchen, bathroom, shower, swimming
- Coarse grind coffee for the percolator
- Bug spray and sunscreen
- Drying rack or rope and clothespins for drying bathing suits/towels
- Entertainment (water toys, playing cards, board games, PWC (kayak, paddle board, canoe, fishing boat), etc.)
- Please bring any alcoholic beverages in cans, plastic, or cardboard
- Extras to consider: fishing gear, flashlight, rain gear, First Aid kit
Provided For You
- Dining: Dinner plates, side plates, bowls, mugs, drinking cups, mixing bowls, butter knives, steak knives, forks, spoons, tea spoons.
- Cookware: One stovetop kettle, three pots, one cast-iron frying pan, colander/strainer, cutting board, chopping knife, large serving/cooking spoons, spatula/egg flipper, can opener, corkscrew, lighter, BBQ tongs, BBQ brush, stovetop coffee percolator.
- Cleaning: broom, dust pan, wet-jet mop, dish sponge, dish drying rack.
- Propane: 3-burner stove, small fridge/freezer, BBQ and heater.
**No Oven, No Microwave (with the exception of the 56’ houseboats) – All cooking must be done by BBQ or stovetop.
**No Toaster (you are able to make toast using the BBQ or with a stovetop camp toaster, which are available upon request)
INCLUDED BOAT EQUIPMENT:
- deck chairs, cooler
- boat hooks, tie lines, anchor (for docking or mooring)
- Navigational charts, Trent-Severn Ports Cruising Guide
- Tablet with software providing digital charts with a boat icon that plots along with you and shows location depths.
- Fire Extinguishers, Flares, 6 or 8 adult PFD. THESE ITEMS ARE FOR EMERGENCY USE ONLY (Please bring personal life jacket for children and casual use. As well as, first aid kit.)
- **No fish finder. **No wi-fi.
- There is NO HYDRO aboard our 32’, 40’ or 42’ houseboats, unless you are plugged into a shore power source. There is a 12V lighter port in the dash of these houseboats that allow a usb plug-in for charging electronics from the aux. battery aboard. (we recommend the charging is done while the boat is running, to avoid draining this battery). All other appliances run off propane.
– The 56′ houseboats have outlets aboard and a built-in generator.
eganhouseboats.com 