Muskoka Blog » Boathouses of Muskoka

Riding Off Into the Setting Sun

Ed Boutilier — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 23:01:13 +0000

I usually tour new cottage guests around Lake Rosseau for their first visit due to the proximity of all the unique landmarks. Lake Rosseau has Winderemere, Red Leaves, Clevelands House, the Church in Morinus, a Lighthouse and a bunch of other interesting and historical sites. I’m not discounting Lake Joseph or Lake Muskoka, by any means as both have their own unique sites to see.

It was a long day and we were on our way back to the cottage after touring the lake and stopping for a swim in a quiet bay. BBQ strip-loins and big bold Cabernets were on our minds as we zoomed back into the setting sun.

Lake Rosseau Boathouse

Ed Boutilier — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 21:48:30 +0000

With the recent extreme temps I have been spending quite a bit of time on the water. While driving up the eastern side of Rosseau I spotted this interesting boathouse on a magnificent point of land.

Each and every cottage and boathouse in Muskoka has a story behind it. The family history, the architecture, who has owned it, etc. I don’t know anything about this one other than it being unique. More Eye Candy on the Lakes.

Sugarbush Bay from the Roadside

Ed Boutilier — Fri, 27 May 2011 18:33:05 +0000

If you are a visitor and are driving around the Muskoka area its very difficult to see the cottages and boathouses (Eye Candy on the Lakes) that populate the shorelines. It’s much easier when you are out in a boat. Many of the grand ole Muskoka cottages are very private and you cannot see them from the road. However, there are some roads you can venture down and get a glimpse of things like this photo taken from Scarcliff Road off Hwy #118 between Port Carling and Milford Bay. This is Sugarbush Bay on Lake Muskoka. Google satellite map HERE

Boathouses Du Jour, Lake Rosseau

Ed Boutilier — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 00:05:29 +0000

Boat houses on Lake Rosseau in Muskoka.

Lookout Island

Ed Boutilier — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 12:51:45 +0000

I went out for a little field trip as the sun began to rise and noticed the fog had not yet burned off the lake. This time of year there really is some spectacular scenery around Muskoka.

Please click for a higher res photo

Cruising up by Playfair Island

Ed Boutilier — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 12:48:50 +0000

I found this cool looking old boathouse/barn and old cottage tucked into a little bay up on Lake Joseph just past Playfair Island. I have no idea of its history however I would hazard to guess this was probably a working farm at some point. You can see the location on Google Maps HERE

Please click on the photo for a much larger sized photo

Mellow Yellow

Ed Boutilier — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 13:33:11 +0000

Continuing with the “Eye Candy on the Lakes” motif. Over the past few years I have noticed ample cottages and boathouses going with yellow as the main color. Its very cheery and sure beats the doldrums of brown. Up on the north west side of Lake Rosseau in Muskoka as you head into one of the bays you will find this beautiful cottage and boathouse.

Please click on the image for a large sized photo

What door will it be Monty?

Ed Boutilier — Mon, 10 May 2010 13:28:21 +0000

For those of us that are located on the big 3 lakes in Muskoka we sometimes take for granted the beautiful and eclectic boathouses that populate our shorelines. It really is one of the defining characteristics of Muskoka. This is a 6-slip boathouse located on Lake Rosseau. Most boathouses are 2 or 3 slips in size. I have never seen whats hiding behind those doors but could imagine there are a few beauties moored within.

Many of you have contacted me requesting more “Eye Candy on the Lakes” so I plan to continue featuring as many as I can.

Please click on the above photo for a large 1280 pixel size

The Old Boathouse in Harbour Bay, Lake Rosseau

Ed Boutilier — Mon, 03 May 2010 21:39:26 +0000

This property came on the market recently and I was curious about it so I did a drive by. The old boathouse is approximately 100 years old and is located in Rest Harbour on 275 feet of Lake Rosseau shoreline. There is a newer single story boathouse beside it and directly across the road is what appears to be an old farm (46 acres in all) with the barn still barely standing. There is a newer house and some older out buildings as well. I’m not sure of the history of this place however I bet it will be bulldozed at some point for something new. It looks to be too far gone although you never know. All this can be yours for a mere $985,000

Click for Chestnut Park Listing

Please click on the photo for a large sized image of the old boathouse

Its not over yet

Ed Boutilier — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:32:37 +0000

The snow is still falling but does it really matter when we are winning gold medals?

The amazing Muskoka Blogger extraordinaire, Jenn Jilks is keeping score of the Muskoka area snow fall accumulation
February 2010 = 48cm
January 2010 = 42cm
December 2009 = 60cm (mostly in 2 days and varied)
——————————————————————–
Total so far: 150cm or 59 inches which is about 5 feet

Please click on the image for a larger higher res shot

Look at the stars, see how they shine for you

Ed Boutilier — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 18:53:28 +0000

Its getting a little cooler umm colder on the water now especially when riding the Jetski however I’m going to stick with it a while longer yet. Yes, I’m crazy and my toes are ice cubes – thanks. Just before sundown I noticed this cool boathouse with its own built in observatory. Bottom of Lake Rosseau near Port Sandfield. Please click the image for a galaxy sized photo

Monyca Island Lake Rosseau Muskoka

Ed Boutilier — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:02:58 +0000

Keeping with the “Eye Candy on the Lake” motif.
The north eastern part of Lake Rosseau contains many beautiful estates with some extraordinary island properties. This is the beautiful boathouse on Monyca Island. If you click on the photo you can see a larger photo with more details that include some of the intricate woodwork that goes into these beauties.

Please click on the photo for a close up of the boathouse itself

Please click HERE for a close up of the original photo

Boathouse on Wasan Island

Ed Boutilier — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 23:41:07 +0000

This boathouse is on Wasan Island not Tobin Island as I originally posted. It is very near the large Tobin Island on Lake Rosseau however. Sometimes I think we take these boathouses for granted as we have been cruising by them for years. They really are a defining characteristic of Muskoka. People keep asking for more boathouses so a few more will follow unless some other distraction gets in the way.

Update Sept 12: I have now learned that this Island is owned by a group from Germany. Here is their website: http://www.wasan-island.de

For a boathouse sized photo please click on the Pic

Muskoka Architecture – Driving Through an Art Gallery in Your Boat

Ed Boutilier — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 13:06:27 +0000

While traveling up to Royal Muskoka Island on Lake Rosseau in Muskoka you cannot miss this modern design boathouse tucked into a little bay. I tried to research the history of this structure however came up empty handed so if anyone has anything I would appreciate it. The cottage on this beautifully manicured property is consistent with the boathouse design.

The modern or perhaps international design is certainly not fitting to everyone’s taste however we are very fortunate to see a wide variety of architecture on the Muskoka lakes. Its like driving through an art gallery in your boat. How boring it would be if every cottage or boathouse was the same cookie cutter design.

For an interesting read on Muskoka architecture I recommend you browse through the well researched articles by my blogger friend Thelma Jarvis. Architecture, Building & Design

Please click on the image for a large photo

Billionaires Row in Muskoka

Ed Boutilier — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:20:32 +0000

Traveling up to the north end of Lake Joseph there is an area that people refer to as “Billionaires Row“. Perhaps they are trying to “one up” Lake Muskoka’s Millionaires Row near Beaumaris. Well I have never seen any billionaires around (what do they look like?) however there are certainly some breathtaking abode’s that may reflect a billionaires eclectic tastes.

To get down to the waters edge on this log home it appears you may need to take a tram or perhaps a far reaching swan dive. Lets hope there is a well stocked fridge at the bottom.

Please click for biggie fries size

Please click the image for a large size photo

Muskoka Boathouses, Eye Candy on the Lakes

Ed Boutilier — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 13:17:52 +0000

One of the key attributes of Muskoka are the numerous boathouses nestled in on the shorelines. I don’t believe there is anything else like this in the world. They can range from little one slip shacks to gigantic mansions with helicopter pads. Many of them offer a deep and interesting history. Whether its a summer home to a previous US President, Hollywood movie star, designs by a famous architects or a property that dates back to the 1800′s they are all interesting to see.

People are always asking to see more of these boathouses so I will make an attempt to include them as I travel throughout the lakes.

Please click on the image for a large 1280 pixel size

Let the Cottage Season Begin

Ed Boutilier — Mon, 04 May 2009 12:42:21 +0000

There are signs of life in Muskoka as we approach the May 24 (Victoria Day) weekend which is actually on May 18th this year. Many birds, frogs and night crawling creatures as well as a few of the Homo Sapien varietal are scurrying about. I have not seen any signs of the dreaded black flies as of yet but have heard they are out there.

I was a little slow on the draw trying to snap a shot of the two ducks that took off in this photo however they left some nice rings in the water. Please click for a larger size

Click the image for a larger size

On Frozen Pond

Ed Boutilier — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 22:29:18 +0000

Last night the temperature went down to about -2C. When I awoke I noticed the pond out front was frozen and contained some unique patterns in the ice. I knew it was time to get the boats out for November is upon us.

click on image for biggie size

The Sun Sets Over Clevelands House in Muskoka

Ed Boutilier — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 16:08:14 +0000

The sun sets over Clevelands House to end another summer/fall season in Muskoka. I took this photo from a new trail that opened up along the shoreline from the Wallace Marina over to the New Red Leaves Resort. Of course Red Leaves now owns Clevelands and the entire shoreline around to the resort. It has to be close to 2 miles of shoreline on Lake Rosseau in Muskoka – do the math.

Click for bigger size

Muskoka Island Reflections in the Fall

Ed Boutilier — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 12:51:07 +0000

I snapped this Muskoka island in the early morning light. The water was perfectly still and reflected the trees, boathouse and white puffy clouds above. There are numerous islands throughout the Muskoka Lakes and each and every one is unique in its own way. You have to be careful navigating your boat near them as there is often shallow water surrounding them.

Muskoka Island (Click on Image to Enlarge)

Joseph River Muskoka Boathouse at Sundown

Ed Boutilier — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 20:15:37 +0000

The fall colors have not quite peaked as of yet but should be vibrant this weekend coming which is Canada’s Thanksgiving. There is a little island that sits out in the Joe River that you can see from the road just south of Minett, Ontario. The sun had just set when I snapped this.

Interesting Boathouses on the Muskoka Lakes

Ed Boutilier — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 23:53:53 +0000

One of the most striking things you notice when visiting Muskoka are the many types of beautiful boathouses. They vary from rustic to charming to grandiose architectural styles. Many of these boathouses feature beautiful sitting rooms, bathrooms, exercise rooms and grand bedrooms. Sometimes driving past you can get a peak at the prized Muskoka antique boats like the Ditchburns, Minette-Shields, Dippys and Greavettes etc.

This photo is of a boathouse on a Lake Rosseau island. It appears someone really loves his sailboat.

Inside Dukes Boatbuilders of Muskoka

Ed Boutilier — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:14:05 +0000

I was lucky enough to get a tour of Dukes Marine Services in Port Carling, Ontario at the hub of the Muskoka Lakes. Dukes has been around for a very long time and used to build rowboats, launches and even produced minesweepers during the Second World War. Charles Duke moved his business to this particular site in 1924. Dukes beautifully crafted Playmate boats are still often spotted on the lakes in Muskoka. Today the shop refurbishes many of the classics from yesteryear including Greavettes, Minett-Shields and Ditchburns.

Navigating Through the Islands on Lake Rosseau Muskoka

Ed Boutilier — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 12:00:42 +0000

One of my past times is to cruise around the different islands on the Muskoka Lakes by Jetski. I can get into places where you simply can’t by boat. No, I guess I am not that “green” even though I bought a kayak I have only been in it 2 times so far. My intentions were good but certainly not the best vessel to carry photographic equipment in. This island boathouse is on Lake Rosseau not far from the Muskoka Lakes Golf Club.

A Boathouse near Tobin Island on Lake Rosseau in Muskoka

Ed Boutilier — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:45:43 +0000

Muskoka is known for the many unique boat houses along its shoreline. This boathouse is up around Tobin Island on Lake Rosseau.

Muskoka Lakes Boathouses are in Full Swing

Ed Boutilier — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 23:10:16 +0000

Its surprising how many new boathouses you will notice after the ice thaws. Building boathouses during the winter time is easier and also provides for employment in a time of year where everything is usually dead quiet. Muskoka is world famous for its boathouses. Here is an example of a new one going up on Lake Joseph as you head north out of Port Sandfield.