The following lists many of the places that rent boats or provide cruises on the Rideau Canal Waterway. These include houseboats, cruisers, runabouts, pontoon boats, canoes and kayaks. Look under the appropriate heading for listings of rental places. A listing of boat rental tips has been included at the bottom of this page. It should also be noted that in addition to these listings, many marinas offer boat rentals, particularly for small to mid-size fishing boats. Call some of the marinas in the area that you are interested in to see if they offer boat rentals. See the Marinas Page for names and phone numbers. In addition, many of the inns and lodges listed on the Accommodations Page offer boat rentals for their guests.
Boats and Cruisers
all numbers are in the 613 area code click on the link of any listing title to go to that listing's website
Aylings Boatyard at Merrickville - offering cruiser charters. Choice of 3 cruisers from 27 to 30 feet in length, they sleep up to 6
people; 4 adults and 2 small children. The boats are designed for comfort and safe handling and Aylings will give you a trial run on your boat to familiarize you with her simple controls. You can contact them at: P.O. Box 201, Merrickville, ON, K0G 1N0, Tel/Fax: 613-269-4969. Toll free: 1-888-818-3140. Email: steve.flewitt@sympatico.ca Bayview Yacht Harbour at Portland offers pontoon boats for rent. Located on Big Rideau Lake. You can write to them at Bayview Yacht Harbour Ltd, P.O. Box 158, Portland, Ontario K0G 1V0, phone: 613-272-2787, or email: jen@bayviewyachtharbour.com Big Rideau Lake Boat Rentals - Pontoon, houseboat, canoe and kayak rentals on Big Rideau Lake. Pontoon boats are 21 feet long. You can contact them at: Big Rideau Lake Boat Rentals, 15 Water Street, Portland, ON Canada K0G 1V0. Call: 613 812-7653 or 613-272-2580. email: heatherheins@mac.com Brown's Marina at Chaffey's Lock offers a fully equipped Sportfisher 20 foot pontoon boat and a 23 foot cuddy cruiser for rent. They also have a 14 foot fishing boat with motor, canoes and outboard motors for rent. Located on Indian Lake. You can write to them
at: Brown's Marina Ltd., Chaffey's Locks, Ontario, K0G 1C0, call
them at: 613-359-5466 or email: dave@brownsmarina.com Clear Lake Cottages offers three fully equipped Sportfisher 18 foot
pontoon boats for rent. They also have a 14 foot fishing boats with
motors. Write to them at: Clear Lake Cottages, Box 109, Newboro, Ontario
K0G 1P0. Call them at 613-272-2745 or email: gofish@rideau.net Len's Cove Marina offers several rental boats from a 14 foot fishing boat to a 20 foot pontoon boat. Located on Big Rideau Lake. Write to them at: Len's Cove Marina, P.O. Box 220, 1 Water Street, Portland, Ontario K0G 1V0, Tel: 613-272-2581, Fax: 613-272-3445 or email: joan@lensove.com Rideau Acres Campground - offers several types boats for rent including 16 ft canoes,
1 man kayaks, 14 ft. rowboats, 14 ft aluminum boats with 7.5 hp 4 stroke motors and a 24 ft pontoon boat with 40 hp motor. Located on Colonel By Lake. Tel: 613-546-2711 or email info@rideauacres.com Rideau Lakes Fishing Guides - offers a fun day/night with expert fishing guides or a boat tour of the Rideau, plus rental of a l4' john boat with a 20 hp motor/ canoe/ paddle boat. During the winter, we offer rental of fish hut rentals. Tel: 613-272-2227 or email fishing@rideaucondo.com Sand Lake Campground & Cottages offers several rental 14 foot fibreglass boats with 9.9 hp and a 16 ft. sailboat. Located on Sand Lake. Write to them at: R.R.3, 5 Powell Bay Road, Elgin, ON K0G 1E0. Tel: 613-359-6361 or Toll free: 1-866-359-6361 - Fax: 613-359-5554. email: sandlakerogers@sprint.ca Stirling Lodge offers several rental fishing boats in sizes from 14 to 20 feet. Located on Newboro Lake. Write to them at: Stirling Lodge, P.O. Box 60, Newboro, Ontario K0G 1P0, Tel: 613-272-2435 or email: stirling@stirlinglodge.com Westport Village Rental offers several sizes of pontoon boats, PWCs, a 17' ski boat, 14' - 16' aluminum fishing boats, canoes and kayaks. Located on Upper Rideau Lake. Write to them at: Box 400, 82 Concession St., Westport, Ontario K0G 1X0 Tel: 613-273-6636, Fax: 613-273-7494 or email: wvr@rideau.net
Canoes & Kayaks
For those who like to quietly paddle along, a canoe or kayak rental might be the ticket for you. Only novice experience is required for the Rideau and with camping available at most lockstations and a plethora of B&Bs and other accommodations along the route, the Rideau is a wonderful place to spend a couple of days or a couple of weeks.
Ahoy Rentals - Canoe and kayak rentals. Located in Kingston. Ahoy Rentals, 23 Ontario St., Kingston, ON Canada K7L 2Y2. Tel: 613-539-3202.
Email: andrew@ahoyrentals.com
Big Rideau Lake Boat Rentals - Offers canoe and kayak rentals on Big Rideau Lake (also pontoon boats and houseboats). You can contact them at: Big Rideau Lake Boat Rentals, 15 Water Street, Portland, ON Canada K0G 1V0. Call: 613-812-7653 or 613-272-2580. email: heatherheins@mac.com
Canal Gallery, Merrickville - offers canoe, kayak and bicycle rentals. Canooe/kayak rentals can start from Merrickville, or they will drop you off up-river or at almost any point on the Rideau system, and they also will pick you up. The store is located at 230 St Lawrence Street. Contact: Ted Hitsman, Canal Gallery, Box 737 Merrickville Ontario. Tel: 613-269-3566 Email: ted@canalgallery.com.
Dows Lake Pavillion - offers peddle boat, canoe and kayak rentals. Located on Dows Lake in Ottawa. Contact: Dows Lake Pavillion, 1001 Queen Elizabeth Drive, Ottawa, On. K1S 5K7. Phone: 613-232-1001, Fax: 613-232-1245. Email: marina@dowslake.com
Frontenac Outfitters - offering canoe and kayak rentals, they are located at the entrance to Frontenac Provincial Park and offer access to the Rideau Waterway through Devil Lake, Bedford Mills area. Contact: Frontenac Outfitters, Site 9B-6, R.R. # 1, Sydenham, On. KOH 2T0. Phone: 613-376-6220, Fax: 613-376-6888. Email: showler@frontenac-outfitters.com
Jenda Paddlesports - offers canoe and kayak rentals. They are located on the Rideau River just south of Ottawa. They offer a pickup service to return you to Ottawa at the end of your trip. Contact: Jenda Watersports, 5426 Dalmeny Rd., Osgoode, Ontario, K0A 2W0. Tel: 613-826-0922 Fax: 613-826-0143. Email: info@jenda.com
Trailhead Ottawa - offers canoe and kayak rentals. Contact: Trailhead, 1960 Scott St., Ottawa ON, K1Z 8L8. Phone 613-722-4229
Fax 613-722-0245. Email: scottst@trailhead.ca.
Westport Village Rental offers canoe as well as solo and tandem kayak rentals. Located in Westport on Upper Rideau Lake. Write to them at: Box 400, 82 Concession St., Westport, Ontario K0G 1X0 Tel: 613-273-6636, Fax: 613-273-7494 or email: wvr@rideau.net
Houseboats (all numbers unless otherwise noted are in the 613 area code)
If you don't have a boat and want to try some mobile accommodations, a houseboat vacation might just be for you.
Big Rideau Lake Boat Rentals - Houseboat, Pontoon, Canoe and Kayak rentals on Big Rideau Lake. Houseboats are 32 to 40 feet long, accomodating from 4 to 8 people. You can contact them at: Big Rideau Lake Boat Rentals, 15 Water Street, Portland, ON Canada K0G 1V0. Call: 613-812-7653 or 613-272-2580. email: heatherheins@mac.com Waterway Get A Way - Houseboat Vacations - Houseboat
rentals for the Rideau Waterway and the Lake
Temiskaming/Ottawa River waterway. Three models of houseboat, all sleep 6 to 8 people. No pets. You can contact them at: Box 467, Mattawa, Ontario, P0H 1V0. Call: 1-800-280-9390 or 1-705-744-1284. email: antlerslodge@netscape.net Houseboat Holidays Ltd. - Houseboat
rentals for the Rideau Waterway and the St. Lawrence Islands. Three models of houseboat, from 38 to 48 feet, accomodating from 6 to 10 people. Pets allowed. You can contact them at: R.R. #3, Gananoque, ON Canada K7G 2V5. Call: 613-382-2842. email: platch@sympatico.ca
Cruises and Tours (all numbers unless otherwise noted are in the 613 area code)
If you don't feel like driving (piloting) and you want someone else to do all the "work", then perhaps a cruise is for you.
Gray Line Tours - Ottawa - offering a 3 hour combination bus and boat tour. The bus tour takes in such sights as the Parliament Buildings, Canadian Museum of Civilization, National Arts Centre, Rideau Falls, National War Memorial and more, followed by a leisurely cruise down the Rideau Canal in a covered cruise boat. Operates from May 4 to October 14. Contact: Gray Line Tours: 800-297-6422. Ontario Waterway Cruises Inc. - Operate 5 day cruises on the Rideau Canal Waterway and the Trent Severn Waterway. The ship, the "Kawartha Voyageur" can accommodate 45 passengers. It offers double cabins with 2 lower berths, private facilities, full dining room, spacious lounge with bar, top sundeck with shaded section. It cruises during daylight hours and docks at night. Have a look at their Rideau Cruise Itinerary. For schedule and fares contact: Ontario Waterway Cruises Inc., Box 6, Orillia, Ontario, L3V 6H9, Canada. Tel: (800) 561-5767.
Paul's Boat Line Ltd. - Ottawa - offering two leisurely sightseeing cruises that appeal to people of all ages. Take a ride through the heart of the city on the historic Rideau Canal. Or tour the scenic Ottawa and Gatineau Rivers on our double-decker vessels. Both cruises offer live bilingual commentaries. Several trips daily. Our ticket booth is on Wellington Street across from the Chateau Laurier Hotel. Reservations are necessary for groups of 20 or more. Group rates available. For more information 613-225-6781 or email: paulcruises@netscape.net. Rideau Canal Boat Tours - offering afternoon tours from Chaffeys Lock to Jones Falls. Also several package tours (cruise and a lunch or a dinner or an overnight at a local B&B or resort). Located on the dock at Chaffeys Lock. Contact: Rideau Canal Boat Tours, Box 172, Portland, Ontario, K0V 1V0. Tel 613-272-0222, email: boattour@istar.ca Rideau Canal - Discovery Day Cruise - this is a kayak tour (includes sea kayak and gear) put on by Frontenac Outfitters. Starts at Jones Falls and goes to Newboro. Contact: Frontenac Outfitters, Site 9B-6, R.R. # 1, Sydenham, On. KOH 2T0. Phone: 613-376-6220, Fax: 613-376-6888. Email: showler@frontenac-outfitters.com
Rideau Roundtable - Voyageur Canoe Tours offering group tours which includes 2 voyageur canoes and crew/interpreters. Tours usually take place at Smiths Fall or Merrickville, but can be arranged anywhere.
Contact: Stew Hamill, Rideau Experience Coordinator, Rideau Roundtable, 613-269-3415, shamill@ripnet.com Rideau King Boat Cruise - offering 1 day cruises between Merrickville and Ottawa, Ottawa and Merrickville, Merrickville and Westport and Westport and Merrickville (bus return on the 1 day cruises). Also charters and special event cruises. Contact: Ayling's Boatyard, P.O. Box 201, Merrickville, ON, K0G 1N0, Tel/Fax: 613-269-4969. Toll free: 1-888-818-3140. Email: steve.flewitt@sympatico.ca Rideau Runner - offering historical tours on the canal between Jones Falls and upper Brewers Mills, charter tours, and water taxi service from Seeley's Bay. Contact: Rideau Runner, Box 29, Seeley's Bay, Ontario, K0H 2N0. Tel 613-387-3245 or 613-540-1684, email: donrobin@kos.net 1000 Islands & Seaway Cruises
- 1000 Islands & Seaway Cruises operates from Blockhouse Island in Downtown
Brockville. From May 30 to June 9 and from September 12 to October 15 they offer interesting day trips on the Rideau Canal System. Other Rideau cruises can be arranged on an "on demand" basis. For more information or reservations contact them at 1-800-353-3157.
Boat Rental Tips
Safety is a prime consideration when renting any boat. This particularly applies to houseboats which can be a bit unwieldy to handle. If you follow the basic tips on this page, you will have a more relaxed, enjoyable cruise.
Is the boat well maintained - see if you can get a reference or two from people who have rented from this firm regarding the quality of the boat. Call a marina located close by and ask about the reputation of the houseboat firm.
Make sure the boat comes fully equipped with the most up to date charts of the waterway
Check to make sure it has all the required safety equipment. This is set in law by the Canadian Coast Guard. Boats from 8 m to 12 m (26 to 39 feet) in length require life jackets or PFDs (one each of an appropriate size for each person on board); a buoyant heaving line of at least 15 m in length; a life buoy with 15 m of buoyant line; a reboarding device (ie. ladder); an anchor with at least 30m of cable, rope, or chain; one bailer or one manual pump; a class 10BC fire extinguisher (if boat is powered or has cooking or refrigerating appliances); distress signals (watertight flashlight and 12 Canadian-approved flares of which six must be either Type A, B, or C and at least two of Type D; and navigation equipment consisting of a signalling device and navigation lights that comply with Collision Regulations. If the boat is from 12 m to 20 m (39 to 65.5 feet) in length, then it requires all the above together with the following: a bilge pump instead of manual bailer, fire extinguishers (class 10BC, one at each entrance space where a cooking or refrigeration appliance is located, one at the entrance to the cabin and one at the entrance of the engine compartment); and two fire buckets.
Check to see what communication equipment it has on board. If you have a cell phone, make sure to bring it along. Collect a list of local contact numbers (marinas, locks) to carry with you.
Check to make sure the boat has a good First Aid Kit, if in doubt, bring your own. You may find yourself several hours away from medical help, there should be enough first aid materials on board to be able to patch up an accident victim until proper medical aid can be rendered (another good reason to carry a cell phone with you).
Boating knowledge - what is your level of experience? If you are a complete novice, you might want to consider a safe boating course from your local branch of the sail and power squadrons. At the very least, make sure the boat renter will take you out on the water for a familiarization tour of your rental boat and fully explain all the rules of the road, including how to read charts and navigate the waterway.
Boating Operator's Card - you do NOT need to have a Pleasure Craft Opertating card when renting a boat. The boat rental firm will take you though a rental-boat safety checklist - the completion of which satisfies the safe boating rules.
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