Everything happens for a reason, as we found out when we sat down with Larry Jewett, owner of Lakeway Houseboat Vacations, to learn how a bathroom renovation and a trip to Fredericton for supplies turned into a business offering a unique and relaxing vacation onboard a luxurious houseboat, as guests tour the scenic Mactaquac Lake region of the St. John River in New Brunswick and enjoy the sun on the upper deck in the hot tub or splash into the water from the waterslide.
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There’s something undeniably captivating about the idea of trading hotel hallways and crowded resorts for the gentle sway of a houseboat. Imagine waking up to the sound of loons while sipping your morning coffee on the open river and stepping into a world where your backyard is an ever-changing view. More than just a place to stay, houseboats offer their guests the rare blend of adventure and tranquility, a vacation that drifts effortlessly between comfort and exploration. An experience that will bring your vacation standards to a whole new level with their “cottages on the water.”
Larry, a retired dairy farmer and cattle exporter, exceeded the expectations of the perfect vacation when he created the business “Lakeway Houseboat Vacations.” While looking for a cottage to purchase, “I saw a houseboat for sale and couldn’t get it out of my head,” said Larry. “The second time I looked at the boat, one of the owners just happened to be there that day and said he could give me a real bargain. So, I offered him half of what they were asking, not thinking they were going to take me up on the offer, and before I knew it I owned a houseboat. I had to go home and tell my wife Cindy, who was expecting to spend those dollars on a downstairs bathroom renovation, and off we went”, Larry remembers.
After Larry heard that the houseboat he had purchased was a rental boat in Northern Ontario, it got him thinking of the idea that would turn out to be Lakeway Houseboat Vacations. In 2007, Larry hosted his first guests on the houseboat as a business. Shortly after, Larry decided to purchase a warehouse, previously an Apple Cooperative facility, that was close by, and he slowly began to hire a couple of individuals to do repairs on the boat, as needed. These individuals quickly turned into a team, and the houseboat turned into plural. Larry’s business is now responsible for building their own houseboats. They can start a new build in October-November and have it in the water by the end of June to early July of the following year. “We figured out that you need to have the right staff to make this type of business run at this point anyway, that can do multiple tasks and so on within the system,” explains Larry. If you need new houseboats, why not build them yourselves to ensure they are exactly what you need and what your clientele wants.
Lakeway Houseboat Vacations is located in the Mactaquac Lake region of the St. John River, where the Mactaquac Hydroelectric Dam was constructed. Guests can choose from a fleet of eight houseboats, each designed to suit different needs, whether it’s a corporate retreat, a bachelor celebration, or a relaxing family getaway. Larry and his team pride themselves on tailoring the experience to ensure every expectation is met. You can opt for the spacious Meductic, Nackawic, Shogomoc, Keswick, Woolastook, and Nashwaak houseboat with five Queen staterooms that can accommodate up to fourteen guests, or the Pokiok houseboat with two Queen staterooms and a Queen loft, and sleeps up to ten guests, and all include hot tubs, or you can select the smaller Little Mactaquac, for up to six guests, for a more intimate escape. No matter which you choose, every houseboat comes equipped with bathrooms with a shower, a well-equipped kitchen with appliances, entertainment centers, a propane BBQ, and a rooftop waterslide, guaranteeing that even the most grown-up in your group can rediscover their inner child.
If you can drive a car, you can drive one of these houseboats. Before departure, each group receives a full orientation, making sure everyone feels confident. Ideally, at least two people should be comfortable operating the vessel (if nobody in your party is comfortable, Larry and his team can offer options, former employees or locals, to captain your houseboat for you). From there, the adventure is entirely your own. Detailed maps are provided to help you chart your course, whether that means exploring the river, hitting up a nearby town, or simply just drifting in the river. “You can go to TreeGo Mactaquac, King’s Landing Historical Settlement, Big Axe Brewery, or the town of Nackawic. There are walking trails, waterfalls, and then some people, not many, go as far as the town of Woodstock,” Larry explains.
With unique vacation destinations becoming increasingly popular, Lakeway Houseboat Vacations positions itself perfectly within this movement. Rather than simply providing accommodations, it offers immersion. Guests don’t just stay close to the water; they get to vacation on it! Waking up to the sunrise, with a cup of coffee to sipping wine in the middle of the river surrounded by water, and watching sunsets melt into the horizon.
Availability doesn’t last long; therefore, planning ahead is key if you want to take advantage of this luxurious experience. Larry explains that they put some of the boats in the water around the second week of May, while most are in the water when bookings are more frequent by June. Rentals are available until the Thanksgiving weekend, after which boats are pulled out of the water to begin the winterization process, along with any necessary maintenance or repairs to get them in ship shape for guests the following season.
When asked about expansion, Larry shares that he does have plans to add more houseboats to the fleet. He states that his son, Nicholas, has become a shareholder and manages most of the day-to-day aspects of the business and is doing a great job, alongside his office manager, Barb, who’s been with them for eight years and looks after the cleaning crew and offices. Another long time employee is Peter. “We’ve been lucky to have some amazing employees, and that’s what makes it all worthwhile,” Larry adds.
As with many businesses, Larry experienced many obstacles trying to get his business afloat, from financing to selling the idea and business plan to the provincial government. Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) was a key to his business, Larry explains, “Their program was able to cover some of the areas that are most difficult in financing any business.” ACOA offers opportunities for economic growth in the region by helping businesses secure flexible financing with little or no security and no interest charges on their loans. Larry added, “ACOA’s financing options help startups and established businesses grow.”
In an era where people are constantly seeking new ways to disconnect from the noise and unplug from their daily lives, Lakeway Houseboat Vacations has reinvented the perfect vacation while carving out its niche. It’s not just a trip; it’s an immersion out of reality and simplicity, wrapped in the comfort of a floating home away from home.
How many times have you heard your friends or family say that they need a vacation once they return from one, just to regroup and unwind? People are continuously choosing the trend vacations, whether it’s theme parks or resorts, but what if the best vacation is one where the itinerary is yours to create. Lakeway Houseboat’s is one vacation you will not need a vacation to recover from once it’s over. You will go home feeling relaxed, rejuvenated, and holding memories that will last a lifetime. It’s a reminder that the best luxury is sometimes found in the quietest of places with your favorite people, in the middle of a river.
So, contact the team at Lakeway Houseboat Vacations today to make your Riverboat Fantasy a reality!
by Krista Legge-Wakeley