House boat

Boathouse only accessed by boat/canoe/kayak NO WIFI/NO charging of any device

Photo gallery for Boathouse only accessed by boat/canoe/kayak NO WIFI/NO charging of any device

Boathouse w dining table for 4, 2 lounge chairs, propane grill, & 2 person kayak
Kitchen and living room
Canoe at Oros Landing 2nd launch area for guests without boats.
Futon in living room
TV/blue ray player with multiple movie DVD's and multiple games supplied

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 424.6 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Gym
  • Parking available
  • Pet-friendly
  • Kitchen
  • Barbecue grill
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

Map
Robbinsville, NC
  • Fontana Lake
    ‪1 min drive‬
  • Bryson City Gem Mine
    ‪47 min drive‬
  • Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
    ‪54 min drive‬
  • Gatlinburg, TN (GKT-Gatlinburg - Pigeon Forge)
    ‪156 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

3 Double Beds

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Dining Area

About this property

Boathouse only accessed by boat/canoe/kayak NO WIFI/NO charging of any device

Please check cancellation policy and read the rental agreement in its entirety BEFORE booking. NO wall plugs available on the boathouse which means NO plugging in or charging of ANYTHING, including cell phones or ANYTHING that has a plug/USB/c-class/anything that draws power. DO NOT remove the TV/DVD plug to plug anything in or plug anything into the solar inverter or the wall plug that the solar inverter is plugged into. There is to be NO additional drain of solar power outside of the boathouse ceiling lights/fan, fridge, water pump, and solar inverter. DO NOT keep wall lights/fan, TV on when not using. Please reach out to me if there are any questions regarding this absolute requirement.
Guests that do not follow this requirement and other requirements detailed in the rental agreement, welcome letter, and posted inside the boathouse will lose their security deposit. Guests are required to follow the check out instructions with detailed instructions on texting all the required photos. If this is not done, guests will lose their security deposit. For guests using my canoe or to access closest boat launch. It is CRITICAL to make arrangements ASAP at booking w Oros Landing (locked gated private local boat launch-no rental equipment/no gas/no supplies) since it can take time for them to respond.

ABSOLUTELY NO ROOF ACCESS! There is a security camera on the roof: Any guests seen on camera accessing the roof will lose their security deposit.
The solar panels and connections are on the roof and prior guests have climbed on the roof, have dented the roof, and broken the solar connections leaving following guests without power.

It is ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL to either PRINT or make a SCREEN SHOT of KEY CODE & instructions BEFORE traveling to the boathouse because there is NO WIFI at boathouse & approx 5-10 miles away. Guests CANNOT access the VRBO app. to pull up the key code or info at the boathouse/immediate area and will receive NO REFUNDS if they don't have the keycode when at the boathouse because this was not done.

Guests will need to have their own boat/kayak/canoe or use my canoe (30-45 minute paddle) to arrive at the boathouse, a remodeled 265 sq ft solar powered floating cabin which is located in a sheltered cove in the Stecoah Creek area directly on Fontana Lake which is about 150 feet deep at the boathouse (no shore, no wading area so ALL guests must be strong swimmers). The boathouse can only be accessed by water and is not at the end of a dock. Guests without boat/kayak/canoe or not wanting to use my canoe can call Fontana Marina at 828-498-2017 to arrange for $100 round trip per person. The closest boat launch from the boathouse (about 30-45 minute canoe/kayak paddle) is Oros Landing which can be booked in advance by calling the owner and paying $10/night for parking, launching, and $15/night w trailer, and keyed gated access. Guests not wanting to use Oros Landing can launch further away at Cable Cove, Fontana Marina, or Prince Boat Dock (all about 30 minutes away with a power boat). Guests that have an electric motor will need to bring their own source of charging their boat batteries. ABSOLUTELY NO CHARGING OF BOAT BATTERIES OFF THE SOLAR POWER.

Guests will need to bring their own source of charging power for cell phones, or anything that draws power, life jackets, drinking water, sleeping bags/sheets/pillow cases/towels. There is no cleaning service, no cleaning fee, and no laundry service.

The boathouse is totally off the grid which means no shore power, no cable television, no WIFI, no phone, no AC, no heat, no ability to charge/plug anything in, and probably no cell service. Guests need to check the weather for the Robbinsville area before heading out to make sure they are prepared for the weather. No cancellation refunds because of weather.

There are other boathouses in the area which can be occasionally occupied on the weekend by their owners. The closest boathouse to my boathouse is currently unoccupied.

The boathouse features a kitchen area with Italian granite tiled kitchen, and pebble tiled backsplash, under counter fridge/freezer and 2 burner cooktop, bar seating for 3, French press for coffee (absolutely NO coffee makers allowed), dinnerware and utensils, basic kitchen supplies, pots/pans, and paper towels/garbage bags. The boathouse has a water filtration system but guests will need to bring water to a boil on cooktop to ensure water is safe to drink.

The living room area features a reclining full sized futon, and 32" TV with blue ray player with approx. 50 DVD's, books and games.

The bedroom area has (2) full/double beds (1 of which is a bunk bed). Pillows are provided but guests will need to bring their own bedding/linens/towels/ect.

The bathroom features a 12 sq ft slate tiled shower, sink, and marine toilet with marine toilet paper provided.

The partially covered front deck area faces the lake and National Forest and has a table w 4 chairs, 2 lounge chairs, and propane grill with spare 20 lb propane tanks.

There is a double kayak included with the rental when at the boathouse.

This rental is a unique property for guests who understand there is no charging/plugging in of anything, can conserve the solar power by turning off lights, ceiling fan, TV/DVD player when not using, follow my instructions to the letter on the marine toilet, water pump, propane water heater and are able to provide their own linens/towels, and drinking water.

The boat house does not have a cleaning crew so guests will need to clean the boathouse thoroughly before check out and remove all garbage on departure. The boathouse is stocked with Marine toilet paper, paper towels, bio degradable soap for washing dishes/hands/shampoo, and garbage bags. There are some spices/salt/pepper and basic kitchen supplies. PLEASE DO NOT leave near/empty bottles or anything you brought with you on the boathouse at check out

Pets are not allowed on the furniture or beds and guests are requested to refrain from allowing pets in the boathouse when wet.

Lake Fontana water levels vary during the year but the boat house is always floating.

Property manager

Gaylene de Weijer
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Pet-friendly
Gym
Outdoor space
Parking available
Mountain view

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House Rules

Check in after 1:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 3–17
Children must be swimmers
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs less than 23 kg per pet (limit one pet total)
Pets are not allowed on the furnutire or beds.
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
No AC and No heat in boathouse. Check weather for Robbinsville area and bring appropriate clothing and gear for weather. No refunds for weather.
At check out guests will need to thoroughly clean the boathouse by following check out instructions and text photos to avoid losing security deposit
No AC and No heat in boathouse. Check weather for Robbinsville area and bring appropriate clothing and gear for weather. No refunds for weather.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Robbinsville

Located in Robbinsville, this houseboat is on a lake. Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center and Graham County Historical Association are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include Great Smoky Mountains Railroad and Bryson City Gem Mine. Discover the area's water adventures with jet skiing and kayaking nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with mountain climbing and hiking.
Map
Robbinsville, NC

What's nearby

  • Fontana Lake - 1 min drive - 0.0 km
  • Fontana Village Resort Marina - 33 min drive - 19.2 km
  • Bryson City Gem Mine - 47 min drive - 34.7 km
  • Great Smoky Mountains National Park - 53 min drive - 48.6 km
  • Great Smoky Mountains Railroad - 54 min drive - 44.5 km

Getting around

  • Alcoa - Knoxville Airport (TYS) - 125 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Stecoah Diner - ‬26 min drive
  • ‪Stecoah Diner - ‬32 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Boathouse only accessed by boat/canoe/kayak NO WIFI/NO charging of any device pet-friendly?

Yes, this houseboat allows dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet.

What time is check-in at Boathouse only accessed by boat/canoe/kayak NO WIFI/NO charging of any device?

Check-in begins at 1:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Boathouse only accessed by boat/canoe/kayak NO WIFI/NO charging of any device?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Boathouse only accessed by boat/canoe/kayak NO WIFI/NO charging of any device located?

Situated on a lake, this houseboat is steps from Nantahala National Forest and within 9 mi (15 km) of Fontana Lake and Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center. Fontana Village Resort Marina is 11.9 mi (19.2 km) away.

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 178 out of 192 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 12 out of 192 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 192 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 192 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 2 out of 192 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.8/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Love this place

Had a great time staying here!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Scott D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Floating Getaway

Great place to getaway. A step above primitive tent camping.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Zach C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing Getaway

Such a cute lace and nice way to unwind
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Candice L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Little slice of Heaven

My husband and I loved our adventure on the houseboat. The host was available for questions and answered us promptly. The tiny house had everything we need to be able to rest and relax.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sara L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Best kept secret

We had the best time staying at this little water house. Everything you need including beautiful views and water! Highly recommend!!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Julie K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fantastic peaceful lake stay

This is our second time staying at the amazing boathouse on Fontana. Gorgeous views and a wonderful place to relax and enjoy the quiet in this off grid home. We had so much fun, swimming, paddling around in the kayak and grilling fabulous meals on the deck.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Dana M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful weekend at the lake

This property allows a serene escape in a beautiful place surrounded by lake, mountains and wildlife!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Matt S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Another great stay

Our 2 nd time here. Awesome little boat house. Follow the instructions and rules and you will have no issues.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kelsey M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Gorgeous Views, Fun Experience

The owner is very clear and communicative. We kayaked to the house and enjoyed both the short journey and the novel experience of boating to your home. You definitely need to make sure to follow the rules of the cabin due to it being off grid and limited solar power, but if you do, it should treat you well. Very peaceful part of the lake (while we were there), beautiful foggy sunrises, and dark skies for stargazing!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Gabby R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Always a great stay

I have stayed here 3-4 times now and have enjoyed it every time. The only issue I've ever had is a neighbor playing loud music, but that's only happened once. It's lovely and serene.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rustine B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great stay as always!!

This our 3rd year in a row we love staying here!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Margaret N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peace and Quiet

Cute little house on the water. Easy paddle using owner’s canoe. We had the entire cove to ourselves during our stay. Nice place to go if you are looking for some peace and quiet.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

AMANDA C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect.

Everything was exactly as expected. Quiet and very relaxing. Can't wait to stay again.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lisa M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful & Quiet

very beautiful, quiet & peaceful. Houseboat was well supplied and worked perfectly for our fishing trip!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Scott D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing place

Unique property, thoroughly enjoyed my stay
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Jenean H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Loved our stay

Lovely house boat.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kay M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fishing fun

The house was great. Had everything you would need. Very relaxing.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tony C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing place to stay on the lake

We had a great time fishing and relaxing.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2019

10/10 Excellent

Michael O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great boathouse

Loved staying at your boathouse! It’s the cleanest boathouse we’ve ever stayed at. First time we’ve ever had a hot shower on Fontana Lake! Everything works great. We’ll definitely stay at it again.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Caleb R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing place

Couldn't imagine a more picturesque and beautiful spot. Already planning on going back!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Gabby R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great stay

This is my second stay and I enjoyed it just as much as my first. Be sure to bring bug spray if you're staying in August, the black flies were no joke.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Aaron B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect getaway for the adventurous

My wife and I stayed for three days with our pup and it couldnt have been a better getaway. Everything from check in to check out was so smooth; Gaylene is an awesome host and will help with whatever questions you have. Since this is a unique getaway, it does come with detailed rules and instructions to make your stay optimal so if you follow all details, your stay will be amazing. Prepare for hot days and nights in the Summer though as the houseboat does heat up quickly. All in all, the stay was awesome and we will definitely return in the future.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Keanna G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful getaway!

Beautiful place to stay, Gaylene has put a lot of thought and effort into making this spot enjoyable and easy to navigate a setup you may not be familiar with! Would definitely recommend
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Beth B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Another wonderful stay

This is our fourth time staying here, and it certainly won’t be our last. We keep coming back, because it’s one of the most relaxing and unique spot to vacation!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Caiden H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Solo time

This was my fourth trip to the houseboat and it never disappoints!! The weather was a little rainy on Sunday, but the clouds broke out in the afternoon and it was beautiful. Take advantage of the kayak!! There is so much beauty to take in.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

About the host

Hosted by Gaylene de Weijer

Host profile image
My family and I love this lake and area because of its proximity to all the things we love to do like water sports, mountain biking, white water rafting, and just relaxing on this beautiful 30 mile long wilderness lake.

Why they chose this property

We loved the idea of being totally off the grid and living on solar power. It is a little like glamping where you have all the comforts of a solid roof over your head in inclement weather but can still relax with movies and games while cooking and grilling under cover.
There is very little boat traffic in the area and the water is perfect for swimming in the summer. Locals love this area as there is great fishing in this lake especially during the cooler months.

What makes this property unique

My husband and I love the super comfortable bed and the spacious slate tiled shower. My favorite thing to do at night is relax with my favorite beverage, watch the moon rise over the mountains, and then watch a movie powered by the sun!

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests