Lise L 
 
2023-09-23
 
 
  
Fabulous week on Colonel By houseboat
Fantastic week on Colonel By houseboat. We traveled from Portland to Lower Brewer and back. The houseboat was clean, easy to navigate, efficient and perfectly equipped for a very comfortable stay. The scenery is breathtaking. We particularly enjoyed our over night stays at Newboro and Jones Falls. We strongly recommend Big Rideau Lake Houseboat Rentals for a superb boating experience. Thanks Heather and Rob for making sure everything is top notch for your guests! Lise and Mark
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Paula B 
 
2023-07-01
 
 
  
Wonderful
Had a great time on the Rideau with Big Rideau Houseboat Rentals. The boat was very well equipped, tidy, easy to manoeuvre, buoys and ropes in excellent condition and navioncs to take the guess work out of navigating. The people at the locks were friendly and professional and provided us with a top notch experience. All the boaters we encountered were eager to talk, lend a helping hand and give you tips to help make your holiday the best it could be . The kayaks and paddle board saw a lot of fishing action and you can’t beat a fresh fish hot off the grill. Thank you Hein family . We will be back 😀
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 john l 
 
2023-06-19
 
 
  
Trip of a Lifetime
My 18 year-old son and I just returned from a week-long houseboat rental. We had a tremendous time. Heather and Rob were a pleasure with whom to work. Our houseboat (the Santa Maria) was extremely clean and well appointed. The Rideau Canal chain of lakes is a lesser-known gem of a vacation destination: beautiful water, excellent fishing, and conveniently located (only an 8-hour drive from the DC area). I cannot recommend Big Rideau Lake Boat Rentals strongly enough.
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Marc2512 
 
2022-07-11
 
 
  
Wonderfull
Although we have some boating experience, this was our first trip on a houseboat. Rob and Heather made the trip effortless. The Navionics provided made navigation of the locks and lakes a breeze. The boat operated with ease. We took the smallest houseboat available (L'ill Hobo) and it filled all our needs (two of us, plus medium sized dog). One warning for those looking to take their pet with them - at times it may be difficult to find docking on land, requiring you to moor at a buoy or anchor and swim your dog to land to do his business. Also, our sole complaint on our trip - restaurants on the Rideau will not accept dogs. One exception to this was The Cove in Westport, they gladly allowed Beau to join us on their spacious patio.
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 petcottages 
 
2022-06-14
 
 
  
Our house on the water
We rented a 37’ houseboat in June 2022 for a week and absolutely loved the experience! The owners were very nice and obviously care a lot about the boats which are extremely well maintained and equipped. Everything went very smoothly at the locks and the staff are always there to help if needed. It was our first time touring the Rideau canal and certainly won’t be our last. It’s a very beautiful part of Ontario.
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Ann S 
 
2022-04-19
 
 
  
Amazing Trip Booked Again , A must do trip for the family
Simply Amazing Trip. Rideau Canal is the #2 Unesco Site in the world and prestine waterways . From beginning to end it was a perfect vacation . We have rented boats in many countries over the past several decades, this company are truly professional and think of all comforts . Due to COVID we decide to rent locally in Ontario and visit the Rideau , we have done houseboat rentlas on the Trent a few times and wanted to try a new adventure . With our 3 teenagers in tow who had been locked down for over a year , this was the best trip ever for them , freedom to explore the outdoors . Like other reveiws from start to finish Rob , Heather and Rees are very proffessional . The houseboat was extremley clean and many upgraded features and equipment other companies do not provide . They gave us a third Kayak at no extra charge which was a more than generous contribution. The kids used them everyday and went on many explorations . The Rideau Canal beauty and tranquility is just what we needed, easy to social distance and relax . The fresh water lakes are so clean and prestine , we swam alot . The beds were also extremely confortable, slept like babies . Extremely well stocked high quality kitchen equipment was also a bonus . The check in process was simple and Rees helped with loading our baggage on the boat . Heather s check in / introductory lesson , Rob s more thorough lesson was very professional , educational and their detail for safety is very comforting for a family of 5 . We just booked today for two weeks this summer . . The children did not want to do anything else but spend their vacation on Big Rideau Lake Boat Rentals . It s also a very affordable family vaction
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Peter F 
 
2021-10-04
 
 
  
Amazing get away with tranquility!
Great comfort, ease of use, super well set up and stocked, totally relaxing, very attentive service!
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Chris K 
 
2021-10-03
 
 
  
Navigating through history
Big Rideau Lakes House Boat Rentals – Houseboat clean and well-maintained. Fully equipped kitchen, all-round comfort. The 42-foot Sun Quest is surprisingly easy to handle. Heather and Rob are attentive to the details and know the area well. The charts and Navionics helped us navigate like pros. Rob’s itinerary suggestions enhanced our house-boating vacation. Cliff diving near the isthmus is worth the slight detour. And Colonel By Island...great for hiking, excellent for dark-sky star gazing. Locking through on the Rideau Canal is living a part of history. Best part of the week is when we all began talking about “the next time.” We’re already making plans.
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Richard 
 
2021-09-27
 
 
  
Fun and relaxing houseboat vacation!
We had a wonderful week on board “Nina” from Big Rideau Lakes Boat Rentals. The boat was very well equipped and very comfortable. We had brought a mattress topper with us, but after checking out the mattress realized we did not need it. The kitchen was very well equipped and had everything we needed. All systems worked very well and were very easy to use. The attention to detail in all aspects of the boat was obvious to us. Check in was smooth, quick and pleasant- thanks Heather! The orientation to the boat was informative and helpful. Any questions we had were answered clearly. The on water boat instruction was fantastic. Even though we had many years of experience on small and large boats, Rob’s guide to handling a houseboat was much appreciated and we employed the strategies he taught us to successfully lock through and dock in tight spots. Meals on the front deck (the barbecue worked great) were delightful. The Navionics app on the supplied iPad was outstanding. Upon our return we were greeted by Heather and Rob with big friendly smiles. We would highly recommend Big Rideau Lakes Houseboat Rentals for a houseboat holiday on the Rideau Canal Waterway. It is obvious that Heather and Rob are very proud of their business, and put a lot of effort into providing the best service possible. We believe that this results in an excellent value for a boating holiday on the Rideau system and have booked again for next year. Thanks Heather and Rob!
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 Wendy K 
 
2021-09-22
 
 
  
Simply the Best Vacation
We spent 2 weeks on the Rideau System , from start to finish Rob and Heather are true professionals and their boat exceeded our expectation . There was just the two of us so we chose Locks Of Fun and it was lots of fun . We were really impressed by the quality of everything and every detail thought of , Love the teal theme and newness of the boat throughout . Very comfortable bed . The booking process and check in was a breeze , Heather checked us in and showed us some basics of the boat to start with, then after we loaded Rob came on and gave us full on detailed lesson on every aspect of the boat , even his drive lesson was very good for us to brush up on our skills , we use to own a boat on the Rideau for many years , sold it 5 years go and missed the Rideau so much . The tranquil and prestine Rideau Waterway has not changed at all . We rent from Portland to upper brewers then to Merrickville and back . As always the lock personal were very helpful . We met other customers who had their boats also and everyone was having a wonderful time . they were also very impressed with Big Rideau Lake Boat Rentals professionalism . We just booked again for 2022 +
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Tripadvisor rating score: 5.0 of 5, based on 54 reviews