By: Amanda Comission

Angular, rustic, charming, contemporary – the inspiration for boathouse design in Ontario is almost as varied as the settings in which you find them and the cottagers who call them home. On a single lake, you will find boathouses showing the wear and tear of many summers of enjoyment, angular modern boathouses with many creature comforts and every variable in between.

Regardless of the diversity of aesthetics, these buildings have a few commonalities. They are the first or only structure seen from the water and they are the transition between lake and land. But this is where the similarities begin and end.

Some owners try to build a boathouse that blends with the natural surroundings, while others take the design on as a work of art all unto itself. Some owners prefer for the interior to reflect family history by staying true to its roots, some dream of a cozy getaway, and some try to create a home-away-from-more with every possible modern luxury.

Whatever your dream, whether you are building anew or renovating a well-loved boathouse, there are many considerations when it comes to marrying form and function in order to make the boathouse a home – for you, your guests and your vessels.

Perhaps you already have a vision for the look and feel of your cottage boathouse. No problem if you’re the sole owner. However, if you share your cottage with family members it may take some serious time and deliberation to agree on a single vision that everyone can get behind. But, no matter what, the time spent to clearly delineate your plans for the project is most definitely an investment that will provide great dividends.

Storage

Whether you’re starting from scratch or renovating, the first thoughts should be about practical usage of space. Sure, boats first come to mind, but it’s not as simple as that. The considerations to factor into your ultimate decision are many and varied.

But let’s start with the boats. Take stock of the type and size of the boat or boats you will be housing, and think about whether you will be keeping them there over the winter. Also, are you likely to have guests or neighbours bring their boats over, even for brief periods of time?

If so, you should ensure there is adequate space to tie these up while their owners stop for a visit. Have space for tools and spare parts for the boat(s), extra rope and a waterproof bin for stowing safety gear. You may even want to consider putting a work bench in for convenience – then you can incorporate storage underneath.

Other essential items to be stored in the boathouse are water toys. Whether it’s a tube, wakeboards, extra tow ropes or even pool noodles for quick dips in the lake, keeping water toys in a boathouse will not only keep them ready at hand but also save them from exposure to the elements – essentially helping them last longer.

Other items you may want to factor into your storage plans for the boathouse are outdoor furniture and various maintenance tools, such as rakes and shovels.

Living Quarters

The extent of any living quarters may very well be dictated by the size, type and location of your boathouse, but devise a dream list that you can start from – it can always be pared down if need be.

First of all, determine how you plan on using any living quarters in the boathouse. Will this be accommodations for overnight guests, a convenient place close to the water for day use or simply a spot to lounge around? Figuring out the exact ways in which you intend to use the boathouse will guide what amenities the living quarters will need to include.

For example, for overnight accommodations, there might be sleeping quarters, a kitchen of some sort and washroom facility. If you simply intend to use this space for daytime activities, perhaps a small changeroom and mini bar will suffice. If there will be no accommodations at all, perhaps your best bet is simply to include a rooftop terrace.

It may be advisable to sketch some of your ideas to get a better idea of flow. This will not only help determine if your dream list is achievable, but also help you plot out windows and doors. View and access are two key concerns that should be addressed.

Aesthetics

Since boathouses are so close to the shoreline and tend to be extremely visible to those on the water as well as nearby neighbours, the quality of the aesthetic is a major consideration not to be overlooked. Although many authorities are mostly concerned about such factors as environmental impact and waterfront density, they also want to ensure that a new or updated boathouse will not be a complete eye sore on the lake.

As such, several aesthetic factors should also be on your list of considerations. In particular, you will want to think about highly visible changes in building materials, the colour palette and/or lighting. You may also want to tour the lake to see if there is an architectural context or traditional style in the area that you may want to stick close to.

Hiring Help

Once you have a fairly good idea of what kind of boathouse your needs dictate, as well as a list of items you’d like included, it is time to start looking for a contractor (if you’re doing the work yourself, feel free to skip this section!).

The detailed description of the project you are envisioning ensures the contractors you contact for quotes are all bidding on the same thing. And, yes, you most definitely should contact a number of contractors – at the very least, two or three. Your first and best resource for who to contact are neighbours and friends who have had work done themselves – good word of mouth is usually a solid indicator of quality craftsmanship, integrity and reliability. If no one you know in the area has a recommendation, try a local home building or trade association, or hardware or building supply store.

When the potential contractor comes to assess the job, you should ask for their business licence number (which you can check on), about the insurance they carry (again, policies can be verified), and for references from other clients (for you to check with). A reputable contractor will gladly offer these things as they will have nothing to hide.

Finally, it is a good idea to check with the local Better Business Bureau to see if there have been any complaints lodged against them. You are likely to spend a lot of money with a contractor, so make sure to

spend the time and energy hiring one that the expense warrants.

Rules and Regs

If you are undertaking construction or renovations on your own, head to the local municipal office. This is the best place to start when trying to determine the process by which you will get permission to build to the letter of the law.

Expect to encounter a great deal of red tape when it comes to any construction on or near the water. The number of surveys and permits and other hoops you need to jump through to start demo or construction can be overwhelming.

Just try to keep your eye on the prize. Remember how much a well-planned, beautiful boathouse will add to your summers at the lake.