I can’t think of a better way to enjoy a summer escape than staying aboard the Floating Nomad houseboat for a few days. That’s just what I did a few weeks ago with two friends. Already we’re pining to return.
NOTE: Unless captioned otherwise, images were taken at Floating Nomad’s original homeport in Rangeley. In 2021, it moved at Otyokwa, a former boys’ camp turned family or group vacation rental on Pemaquid Pond in Bremen.
My friend Martha found this houseboat and suggested (maybe insisted is a better word) that we book it for a couple of nights. Along with another friend, Leah, we did just that.
The houseboat, one of two marketed under the name Just Add Water Floating Camps, is owned and operated by Rheanna, an Annapolis grad, former Navy helicopter pilot, certified yoga instructor, and Registered Maine Guide.
Rheanna found and, with a professional boatbuilder, rebuilt another boat to create what’s now called the Floating Nomad. They did a fabulous job creating an inviting space with must-have conveniences done in contemporary style.
Life aboard the Floating Nomad houseboat
We entered through the bow deck, where there’s a gas grill, then passed through a sliding door into the houseboat. Living space is one big, long room with three distinct sections.
In the front are the captain’s wheel, a bluetooth speaker, a couch that morphs into a single bed, and a ship’s ladder to a loft with a double mattress.
That gives way to the central part of the houseboat, with the kitchen (sink, fridge, stove) on one side and entry to the airplane-sized bathroom (toilet, sink, shower) on the other.
On the stern end is another couch that doubles as a single bed and counter space with two seats. A door exits to the aft deck.
Summertime and the living is easy
Amenities make life aboard easy: The kitchen offers all the must-haves and a few extras. While one could drink from the taps, there’s plentiful fresh bottled water available. Linens, towels, blankets, etc. are provided.
Other perks include heat, electricity for chargers, yoga mats, books, cards, and that bluetooth speaker.
Climb out of the lake after a swim or into the canoe for a paddle via the swim ladder on the aft deck. Or climb up to the rooftop stern deck, with Adirondack-style chairs and a firepit (s’mores anyone?). Continue from there to the hidden prize: The upper bow deck, with two chaise lounges.
In short: Plenty of room to spread out. If we had gotten tired of each other, we could have retreated to different parts of the houseboat.
Be active or not
We chose not. Although we could have paddled the canoe or jumped in the lake for a swim, we opted to read, relax, knit, play Phase 10 and Boggle, and simply chill. We also brought enough food aboard to keep us feasting for days, along with enough wine to accompany those feasts.
In between, we enjoyed the lake views, which were especially gorgeous at sunset. Probably also at sunrise, but none of us rose early enough to see that.
Despite our inactivity, the time went by all-too-quickly. When Rheanna texted us about returning to pilot the boat back to the dock, we told her we weren’t leaving, ever.
There’s no place like Roam
On the way back to the dock, Rheanna told us about her second houseboat, Roam. This one is a little smaller than the Floating Nomad. It has a kitchenette, bathroom, and sleeps up to three.
Details, details
The Floating Nomad rents for $350/night; Roam is priced at $275/night. Rates include linens, towels, canoe, safety equipment, and much more. Both houseboats are made available first to those who rent Otyokwa first, with any open dates remaining available to others.
Rheanna answers all the usual questions and more on her Frequently Asked Questions page.
Take a video tour of the Floating Nomad (note: taken when it was on Rangeley Lake, it’s now on Pemaquid Pond, s the scenery is a bit different, but the houseboat is the same).
