Trip Planning

License

You DO NOT need a Boater’s License to rent from Houseboat Holidays.

Together we fill out a simple Renter’s Checklist which serves as a temporary license for your trip. We provide instructions and demonstrations on operating the boat as well as safety instructions and then you’re on your way! Ready to cast off?

Meals

Plan your meals. Create some menus. Get the kids involved. Making a list of the meals with everything you’ll want for preparing them will save you having to go ashore for supplies. Your houseboat has a propane stove and oven as well as an outside barbecue so there is almost no limit to the question, “What’s for dinner?” We have a couple of starter menu items here.

Electronics

The boat uses 12-volt batteries just like your car. We provide an inverter to provide power for recharging laptops, cell phones and electronic devices. The inverter plugs into the cigarette lighter socket found at the control panel on your boat. Just remember there are items that cannot be plugged in, such as hair dryers and toasters.

Essential to bring

Toiletries
Towels, Facecloths, etc.
Food & Beverages
A passport (if you plan to enter the U.S.)

Good to bring

Flashlight (strongly recommended)
Cooler or ice chest (we supply one but you may want an extra)
Battery operated radio/music player
Binoculars
Fishing gear
A kayak or canoe (you can rent a kayak or paddle board from us)

The Navionics app makes a big difference

This app can make the difference between a great vacation on the 1000 islands and a fantastic vacation on the 1000 Islands. With this app (available for Android and iPhone) you can see the depths in real-time on a moving map display so you always know where you are and you can take channels you might not take with just a chart.

Roasting pan
Meat thermometer
Carving fork and knife
Potato masher
Potatoes
Vegetables
Pre-made pumpkin pie
Cranberry sauce
Brussel sprouts
Cheese
Spices

Houseboat Thanksgiving Turkey

We LOVE our festive turkeys and ALWAYS buy the Butterball, cook-from-frozen bird. How do you keep it frozen on a houseboat? Use the supplied cooler and put three blocks of ice ON TOP of the bird and keep the cooler closed. When it’s time to start preparing your meal, remove the turkey and it’s wrapping and follow the instructions.

This is a great meal for hungry able bodied seamen, seawomen and seachillen’. First, take whatever you have in your fridge; vegetables like peppers and onions, celery and broccoli.. whatever. Meat can be whatever and it doesn’t have to be meat. Seafood is appropriate on the river. One of our favourites is Toulouse Sausages from Loblaw’s. Cut up everything in bite size pieces and get ready to stir fry.

Navy Island Stir Fry

Blackened River Steak

So simple. So tasty. Blackened steak is always a hit and is easy to prepare on your houseboat

(You can prepare this before you get on the boat. Great for the freezer, both at home and on board.)

Ingredients: (this is adequate for two adults. Increase for more people)

One medium, marbled, semi-thick steak.

Olive oil

Soya Sauce

2 table spoons Black pepper, freshly ground per serving (4 for this recipe)

One of the simple yet amazing spring or fall houseboat cooking recipes made from just a few simple ingredients:

6 medium sized onions
3 cloves garlic
2 1/2 lb of stewing beef, cubed to bite-size portions
5 tablespoons Sweet paprika
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 tspn dried marjoram
1 tspn dried thyme
1 tspn caraway seeds (don’t sweat it if you don’t have this)
Red wine vinegar (you brought wine, right?)
Water 8-10 tablespoons (how convenient..you’re on one of if not the cleanest river in the world)
Salt and pepper (don’t leave home/shore without them)

Houseboat Holiday Goulash

Boat Recipes

Download Recipes