Pure bliss…. but we’re pretty biased! 

By design, your experience aboard our Houseboats will be a decidedly unique one. Nomad and Roam are full-fledged, fresh-water houseboats homeported on Pemaquid Pond in Bremen, Maine.  

Nomad is our flagship – a painstakingly renovated 1968 Thunderbird Drift-R-Cruise Houseboat – and he’s always excited to meet other traveling souls (more on Nomad’s journey to Maine here). Roam, his little sister, is a custom-built ShantySkow created with upcycled materials, who loves getting her guests a little closer to the water.

Both Houseboats are extremely stable, quite bright and airy, and very comfy for up to four overnight guests on Nomad and two overnight guests on Roam. Even those uneasy around the water have told us that a stay on Nomad or Roam is a friendly experience!

As a guest, the entire Houseboat is yours to enjoy:                                                                            ~ Plenty of outdoor deck space with comfortable seating and propane fire pit*                                      ~ One petite (though luxurious!) bathroom with toilet & shower facilities                                              ~ Well-equipped kitchen with refrigerator* + small freezer or icebox, gas stove + oven*                        ~ Double bed sleeping                                                                                                                  ~ Single sleeping options for additional guests*                                                                                ~ Swim ladder for access on & off the aft deck 

*Nomad only

Nomad and Roam both have running water, electricity, plenty of lounging space inside & out, and a heater for the chillier Maine evenings (more specifics about what’s included on board in FAQs below). No special skills or training are required for a stay – just an adventurous spirit and some time to breathe. 

When you arrive at 244 Nobleboro Road in Bremen, we’ll greet you in our parking area and help you unload. Nomad or Roam (or both!) will be waiting for you dockside a short distance away. We provide carts to transport your luggage and other items to the dock and gladly assist with boarding. 

Once aboard, we’ll make sure you have all the information you need for a comfortable stay. 

Then, we shove off! Your host will drive the houseboat a short distance to one of our private moorings a few hundred feet off shore. Once you’re safely set, your host will disembark and leave you to enjoy your Nomadic Experience.  

You are welcome to check-in anytime between 3pm & 7pm on the day of your arrival. 

We’ll pre-coordinate your checkout time, at which point your host will paddle out to your floating location and bring you back dockside for easy disembarking. On the morning of your departure, you are free to leave any time prior to 11am. 

Your floating location while aboard Nomad or Roam will be on a secure mooring in front of our private shoreline on Pemaquid Pond a few hundred feet off shore. The water is fairly shallow and you will be close enough for an easy paddle to shore should you choose (but most guests find they prefer to never – ever – leave their floating haven). This property is happily shared with Otyokwa Cabins, a truly breathtaking property offering a nostalgic nod to times gone by (for additional rental options for larger groups or events, please contact us at [email protected]).

You will have access to and from the houseboat, your car on shore, and offsite should you choose to explore the local area. While the grounds and shoreline are extensive offering a great deal of privacy, we ask that you are respectful of other guests who may be visiting in the lakeside cabins or Farmhouse. Your host will help orient you upon arrival.

Nope. 

Simple answer – everything you need, nothing you don’t.

But for the Type A’s out there, both of our Floating Camps include:                                                     ~ All linens – bath + hand towels, cloth napkins, sheets, blankets, extra blankets (it’s Maine after all)   ~ Hand + dish soap                                                                                                                       ~ Multiple ways to make coffee                                                                                                      ~ Cooking Basics (oil + vinegar, salt + pepper, tea + sugar)                                                              ~ Basic cook-ware                                                                                                                       ~ Fresh drinking water (enough for your stay, but feel free to augment)                                                 ~ Propane BBQ grill with fuel                                                                                                         ~ Electrical adapters + back-up device rechargers (recharges anything via USB cable)                             ~ Canoe (carries two adults)                                                                                                             ~ Comfy outdoor seating                                                                                                                 ~ Yoga mats                                                                                                                                ~ Magazines + books                                                                                                                   ~ Life jackets, first aid kit, life preserver    

*Please note what’s NOT provided: Ice, WiFi, and complimentary back rubs. 

Nomad features an upper-deck firepit, refrigerator with small freezer, bathroom with stall shower & hot water.

Roam features a custom pagoda-style aft deck, old-school icebox (like a built-in cooler), stove-top, and wet bath (toilet + shower) with hot water.                                                                                     

We provide check-in + check-out transportation to and from your moored location at the pre-arranged times; all other movement from Nomad or Roam is at your leisure and on your timeline.

A basic list (in no particular order):                                                                                                  ~ Enough food for everyone aboard for your time away from shore                                                      ~ Enough to drink for everyone aboard for your time away from shore                                                  ~ A person(s) you can be on a boat with for your time away from shore                                                ~ Sunscreen + after-sun lotion                                                                                                        ~ Bug spray                                                                                                                                  ~ Toiletries + any personal products                                                                                                ~ Medications                                                                                                                                ~ Music + speaker                                                                                                                       ~ Fishing license, gear + bait                                                                                                        ~ Water floats + toys                                                                                                                    ~ Stand-up paddleboard or kayaks (we have 2 of each you can rent – please inquire!)                              ~ Books + games                                                                                                                          ~ Charging cords                                                                                                                          ~ Ice + cooler (as needed for extra cool storage)

Please take your food, beverage and activity requirements for your entire stay into account and bring all of the things you might need with you at the time of your check-in. There is no judgment for over-packing. 

Of course, if you find you need more of something, please see following FAQ…

We keep a well-stocked Houseboat, but if you run out of provided necessities (drinking water, TP) simply contact your host and we’ll point you to where the extras are hidden or coordinate a resupply run. 

If you would appreciate additional niceties, you are welcome to paddle back to shore for a resupply run to any of our local shops in Waldoboro or Damariscotta.

Sorry, friend. While our Houseboats love a good lake tour, they will happily remain moored or anchored while you visit except when your host is at the helm. Absolutely no offense to you or your boating skills, but liability prevents our guests from operating the houseboats. 

If you’d like to explore Pemaquid Pond (say, while sipping a beverage and watching the sun set), we offer chartered cruises that can be scheduled anytime during your stay. Simply ask your Host when booking!   

We’ve got another Floater!

We absolutely want you to consider Nomad or Roam your floating home, and it’s not uncommon for guests to request to extend their stay – as long as you and your Houseboat are getting along (and there’s availability…), you’re welcome to stay as long as you like. Just get in touch with your Host and we’ll see what we can float. 

We do offer longer reservation lengths (up to 30 days), but for stays 5 days or longer, we’ll need to make you aware of some logistical considerations. Please Contact Us to make your reservation.

You can book Nomad or Roam for a minimum of two nights. That is a strict minimum based on consideration for the impact on the surrounding property and we will not be able to accommodate shorter stays. But believe us, you’ll be begging for more time aboard!   

Please Contact Us if you’d like to book specific dates and aren’t able to do so online. We sometimes get late cancellations and might be able to offer last-minute availability.

Unfortunately, we do not allow pets aboard. While we’re sure that your pet is just lovely, Nomad and Roam aren’t particularly pet friendly. 

There are two types of cancellations:

Type 1: Weather                                                                                                                            If weather is forecasted to be questionable for your stay, your Host will contact you about a day prior to your reservation to discuss options. As long as it’s safe (please see next FAQ) you’re still welcome to stay. If you’d prefer to reschedule your stay based on the weather, we will do our best to accommodate based on availability. If we must cancel the reservation prior to your arrival due to extreme weather, you will receive a full refund. This has happened one time over 7 seasons, so it’s not common. Our boats are hearty!

Type 2: A Change of Your Plans                                                                                                        If you decide to cancel your reservation for personal reasons, you may do so for a 70% refund up to 30 days prior to your reservation. Within 29 days of your reservation, no refund is offered for cancellations. 

As long as it’s safe to be on the water – no dangerous storms or extreme conditions – you’re still welcome to stay aboard. Our Houseboats are waterproof after all! And while it may sound crazy, some of the most beautiful times on the water are before, during, and right after a rain, so you may be in for a treat! 

Additionally, we monitor the radar constantly with weather alerts set – if weather picks up unexpectedly while you’re aboard, we will be in touch to talk options. 

Ultimately, Nomad and Roam’s location and occupancy is at the owner’s discretion, and will be based on a conservative assessment for your safety.

A great deal of thought has gone into ensuring you have a safe and comfortable experience. We want your stay to be relaxing and worry-free. But if issues arise (or you just can’t remember how to flush the toilet), your host is always available 24/7. 

We’ll make sure you have good 2-way communication before disembarking, and there are emergency ways to communicate just in case. 

If a bona fide medical emergency occurs while you’re onboard, you should contact local first responders by calling 911, just as you would on shore. You will have all the information you need to call for help in the unlikely event that it’s needed. 

A few notes on life afloat –

Nomad and Roam are operated in partnership with another property. As a houseboat guest, you will have access to and from the boat, your car on shore, and offsite should you choose to explore the local area. While the grounds and shoreline are extensive offering a great deal of privacy, we ask that you are respectful of other guests who may be visiting the Cabins or the Farmhouse, as they will be respectful of you. Your host will help orient you upon your arrival.

Due to electrical constraints onboard, high-draw electrical appliances (coffee pots, hair dryers/straighteners, space heaters, electric kettles, toasters, blenders, etc.) are requested to stay on shore; they will disable all electricity if used aboard. Alternative options are provided whenever possible.

For full use of all that Nomad and Roam have to offer, guests should note that ladders, stairs, and a floating dock are part of the experience. Please consider your own physical limitations prior to booking. 

You’ll be staying on a lake, so sound will carry much further on the water than you realize. Mindful of those sharing your extended space, please keep loud music and loud voices for the daylight hours. And remember that even conversational tones can be heard at a distance when the water’s calm. So make sure you speak frequently about your host’s ravishingly good looks whenever possible. 

You will be staying in Maine and enjoying an indoor/outdoor living environment. This environment includes bugs. While the accommodations include insect deterrents (essential oils, swatters, screens, mosquito nets), there will be bugs sharing your space (mostly gnats, flies, and other flying bugs). Most guests find that they are a minor nuisance, but please consider your personal tolerance before booking. 

Depending on your mobile cell carrier, you may or may not have strong data coverage while onboard. WiFi is not offered (but that’s okay – the live show is much better!). Emergency 911 calls can always be made no matter your mobile carrier.

You are free to come and go from your Houseboat whenever you like utilizing the canoe included with your rental. Or if you prefer, you’re welcome to bring your own water toys – kayaks and stand-up paddleboards are popular tag alongs and easily transportable on Nomad or Roam. 

If an unforeseen issue arises while on board (illness, family emergency, etc.) your host will help handle reservation adjustments on a case-by-case basis.