Topside Boathouse - Swim and Fish off the Deck !
Pleasant Bay South Orleans Vacation Rental - ID 25897

My family and I spent a truly wonderful week at the Boathouse! It was everything we hoped it would be. The location cannot be beat, and the house is comfortable, clean, and so unique. You really do feel like you are aboard a boat. I loved being able to just pull the drapes aside in the morning while lying in bed, to see the magnificent view of Pleasant Bay. No matter what room you are in, there is a beautiful water view. I never had the pleasure of meeting Anna, but David was lovely and so accommodating. I highly recommend staying at the Boathouse on Pleasant Bay!

The Boathouse is a very unique property. With its oceanside location and many additions over the years, at times it feels like staying on a ship!
The Boathouse could not be any closer to the water - the front deck is directly over the water and steps down into the bay allow for a calm setting (usually) for water activities without driving anywhere. A kayak and a SUP are provided for your use. The location is convenient for traveling in any direction on the Cape and coming home to relax on the large deck or private courtyard. Although we ate out a lot, we enjoyed using the gas grill in the courtyard for evenings at the Boathouse.
The Boathouse is well equipped with linens, dishes, and comfortable furniture. It is just as described and shown in the photos.
David, the owner, was easily accessible and he responded quickly to questions.

Boathouse. The place was magical, and hosts David and Anna couldn't be nicer or more accommodating. I kept telling everyone back home that it was just like being on a boat! All of the little built in and nautical touches enhanced this feeling, as well as waking up to the lapping of waves underneath. This was a truly relaxing get away, despite many stressful things back home. We left it all (well, most) behind and enjoyed this wonderful place with a good book. Loved the outdoor shower, and cooked a few nights. My husband saw many Blue Herons in the marsh across the street. Though we almost never stay at the same places more than once, we'll definitely be back here!

What a great week! The Boathouse is truly unique and special. The location is out of this world, especially at sunrise. And due to a new moon and very little man made light, stargazing is amazing! The house is loaded with character. We just love the decor which contributes to the feeling like you living on a boat. The owners are great. We do feel that we made new friends, and we will certainly see them again. Thanks David & Anna!

Topside is topnotch with so many intimate venues. The front deck for morning coffee and evening cocktails with a view that knocks your flip flops off. The side deck for social gathering and sunbathing. The patio for grilling and and enjoying a little me time with a good book. And the freedom of a private outdoor shower. One might never venture beyond this idyllic retreat but if you did the Wequassett and Chathams Bar Inn beach bars are just down the road. And don't forget Mac's Clam Shack, the Impudent Oyster, Blue Fins Sushi and Saki restaurants in Chatham. David, the owner takes pride in the property and is accessible when needed. We had mixed feelings about posting this review because we wanted to keep Topside Boathouse a secret.

I recently spent 8 nights at The Boat House with my 17 y/o son. It really does feel like you're staying on a wooden sailboat. Sunrises are magnificent. You can literally step into Pleasant Bay from your deck! Views from the deck are mesmerizing: birds, boats, seals and sometimes, just the bay and a few islands.

The hosts are delightful - we are lucky they so graciously shared this wonderful home. If you love the Cape but don't love the summer frenzy, then I suggest you check out Topside Boathouse!

Our week at the boathouse started early as David allowed us to check in as soon as the house was ready. We gained all day Saturday on the water. Every morning began with coffee on the deck which you could easily walk down the stairs and go for a swim or a float or a paddleboard.

After teaching for the past year, this was a well earned and enjoyed week on the water. I paddle boarded with a seal, had breakfast with another seal, went crab looking with my sister and it was an overall a great week of relaxation.

Our week with the Mannings at their Topside Boathouse was by far one of the most enjoyable vacations I have had in recent years. The location is centrally located, yet affords you unbridled privacy.

Surrounded on three sides by water, the views and sounds from Pleasant Bay awake you in the morning and lull you to sleep at night. The boathouse is spotless, welcoming and very well appointed. We were in need of nothing, other than an extra week of vacation. The house oozes history and times of old, with all of it's little nooks and crannies of doors, ladders, integrated boat fixtures, nautical decor, and period antiques. The patio area is charming and the outdoor shower was wonderful, even on chilly days.

Topside is just an amazing getaway, no matter the weather. While I want this place to be rented, please try to keep it a secret . . . because I want to make sure that there is plenty of available time for us to return. Return, yes we will. Over and over again.

"Absolutely fantastic stay, one of the most unique places to say in all of Cape Cod! We hope to make it an annual trip!
Topside BoatHouse on Pleasant Bay is an absolute must! The house is brimming with character and charm. Plus, the best view on Cape Cod and you don't even need to get in your car or wait in line at the beach. We enjoyed jumping off the dock, relaxing on floaties, and launching our paddle boards right from our front stairs. We had the BEST time and will absolutely be back. David is a great host - very accommodating and communicative. We truly cannot recommend this property enough!"

My husband and I recently had the pleasure of staying at this fabulous home! This place has a MILLION DOLLAR view! I could feel the stress melting away as soon as we pulled in. Waking up in the morning and having the water right outside the window was exactly what the doctor ordered. It was hard to find a reason to go to the beach (though we did) because everything you needed was right there - the sun, the water, the view, a great book, and a cocktail. It was lovely waking up and having coffee while watching the seals, birds, and sailboats.

David was a pleasure to work with and he was extremely helpful and ensured we had everything we needed to make our stay comfortable and memorable. I highly recommend this home and we can't wait to return next year!

We had a great week here literally "on" Pleasant Bay. Saw the sun rise every morning over the bay from the master bedroom. We brought our boat and used the mooring provided by our hosts. House has everything you need, and our hosts were extremely friendly and helpful. Had a great evening on the deck shucking oysters and eating lobster. The colors of the bay at sunset are spectacular. Kids loved swimming and kayaking right from the steps from the deck.

We will be back for another visit!

This is our third year at the Boathouse and we will be coming back in 2020.

Coffee and seal watching from the deck in the morning. Kayaking from our dock on Pleasant Bay in the afternoon. Wine and stargazing in the evening. What's not to love? Ditch your therapist for a week and come on down.

This boathouse is such a unique place to stay, with gorgeous views of the bay. The breeze off the bay keeps it cool even on hot days. Fun to watch for seals from the deck. The location is convenient to both Orleans and Chatham. We would definitely stay here again!

We had our fourth visit with David this year at his charming Topside Boathouse, and each year we enjoy and appreciate it a bit more. From the time you roll into the oyster shell driveway, and look out across the gorgeous and aptly named Pleasant Bay, you may find yourself never wanting to go back to "the world" again. A well-appointed kitchen and amenities throughout the house ensure a carefree stay. Every corner of this property shows the owner's care and concern for his guests' enjoyment and for the happy memories they'll have for a lifetime after their stay at the Topside Boathouse. Read the reviews—it's all true!
Truly a gem. Highly recommended.

We stayed at the Boathouse for a week and everyone enjoyed it. The view is spectacular, its easy to access, and Dave, the owner, is amazing. The house is fit with everything you need and if you wake up before the rest of the family, I recommend that you take a kayak ride on the calm water of the bay. Such a great way to start a day right before coffee. A must! Thanks to Dave and his wife for keeping this place on the rental market!

My wife and I had an absolutely fabulous week at the BoatHouse. The location could not have been better - right on the water -- and David & Anna were outstanding hosts. They communicated well, met us upon our arrival to give us a guided tour, and checked in frequently throughout the week. The BoatHouse is charming, and has everything you need to comfortably accommodate a family of four. We would highly recommend the BoatHouse and look forward to visiting again sometime.

We just celebrated our 6th year anniversary at this quaint little Boat House. It is such a unique place from the outside entrance to every little nook and cranny inside. The views of Pleasant bay were spectacular from every room in the house. We caught some pretty nice stripers right off of our deck. David was awesome to work with from the beginning to end. By the time we left, we felt like we had a new friend! I truly think this was the most memorable vacation that we have had and it all started with this amazing Boat House! We hope to return soon!

What a wonderful experience we had at the Boathouse! We stayed for 2 weeks and could not have enjoyed it more. David was wonderful to work with along with Margaret and Scott who pitched in for him while he was away. Waking up each morning to an amazing view and then to also see the sunset at night from the deck was incredible. I also was lucky to catch 6 stripers right off the deck, and we so enjoyed also seeing the seals swim right there as well. The Boathouse itself was so cozy and interesting. Hoping to stay next year...same time...same place!

We stayed for a week in August and never were more relaxed in all our years of coming to the Cape. A cup of coffee on the deck at sunrise... a glass of wine at sunset. All the features of staying on a boat without the rocking... waves lapping, seagulls calling, the smell of the ocean... nothing gets better than this.

Great accommodations, clean, neat, and well maintained. David was excellent to work with and could not have been nicer. We plan to come back next year.

This is as close to living on a boat as you'll get without getting your feet wet. Walk out the door and you'll experience being right on the bay under the wrap-around boardwalk with the water lapping underneath. Charming and comfortable living room and bedrooms chock full of maritime atmosphere. Great location convenient to Nauset, Skaket beaches and restaurants to suit all appetites from take-out lobster to fine dining. Hosts are gracious and accommodating and on-site in the main house to answer any questions and ensure that you have everything you need for a memorable stay.

We are a Swedish family who spent three months on the United States east coast and had Cape Cod as our base camp. When we got to the Boat House, it was like coming home in the very best way. We experienced a wonderful sense of relaxed luxury, finesse, and class. The home has history, is personal, unique and beautiful. The days go fast in the sun, bathing, kayaking, and fishing all from the pier at the house. The afternoons and evenings on the pier and the porch are as a holiday shall be. Living on the water is lovely and relaxing. You do not want to go from there, but when you need it, it's close to great shops, restaurants, golf, and sailing. The location is excellent and central at Cape Cod.

The Boat House doesn't have flatscreens in every bedroom, no huge bathrooms, no room service, but it is pure harmony.
Anna and David are the perfect welcoming host couple you can imagine. Anna's pasta sauce was, according to the children, the best they ate on the whole trip.

The whole family is longing for the next time! Warmly recommended to couples and families who want to relax, enjoy family life, sea life and appreciate the uniqueness, style, and classic finesse.

Greetings from Sweden/
Varma hälsningar från Sverige,
Kristoffer, Linda, Ella, Olle, Lilly

We have renting vacation homes on the Cape for the last 15 years. Our stay at the Boathouse was great and ranked high on our list. Being right on the water but with the gentleness of the Bay, the location is just precious. We enjoyed having our coffee in the morning on the deck and can just go paddling right off the dock. The owners are right next door and are super helpful and friendly.

We've always enjoyed discovering new spots to spend vacations on the Cape, and last year with the Topside Boathouse we found--hands down--the very best! The other reviews paint the picture exactly as you'll find it at Topside. From David's gracious hospitality, to incredible sunrises and sunsets on Pleasant Bay, to cozy evenings surrounded by warm lighting and vintage décor--Topside has it all. And since last year there have been numerous thoughtful upgrades, including an outdoor shower and vanity, which we used almost exclusively during our stay, and a new mattress in the master bedroom. As another reviewer noted, if we could give ten stars, we would. Already looking forward to our next visit.

My husband and I recently had the pleasure of staying at the Topside Boathouse.The house itself actually feels like you are staying in a boat on the water! The proximity to the water is literally about six feet from the back of the house. We enjoyed the comfortable accommodations so much. The home is well appointed and very comfortable. The house has a nice big outdoor shower. The wonderful deck runs along the back of the entire home and around one side. Waking up to the most beautiful sunrise over the water is truly the only way one should wake up! David, the owner, couldn't have been nicer or more accommodating.

My husband and I happened across the Topside Boathouse on the last day of a trip to Cape Cod last year, called to inquire of its availability for this May, and were thrilled to find it available. Primarily, we fell in love with its location at the very end of Pleasant Bay, uniquely and peacefully situated right on the water, and from the outside we interpreted that it would be equally charming inside. We were not disappointed. Every conceivable aspect of our recent stay at Topside Bothouse was absolute perfection! David, our host, was equally impeccable. Upon arrival he gave us a tour of the property, and was present and extremely helpful throughout the week with any questions we had, and we had many!

My husband and I love to fish and came to the Cape with the intention of going offshore fishing, though we quickly discovered that the most fruitful fishing we experienced all week was right off of the dock at the Boathouse. Which was nothing short of thrilling! We caught over a dozen Striper Bass off our very own dock while sipping coffee in the morning or a glass of wine in the late afternoon, and David was there to enthusiastically cheer us on and help us net in a few of the catches.

The kitchen is well appointed for basic cooking needs, and the main living quarters are sconce lit with dimmers, which I adored at night for warm lighting. While the bathroom isn't large, there is ample storage and it is quite cozy, and the master bed is right on the water and gives the feeling of sleeping on a stationary vessel with the faint sound of the lapping waves.

Our experience was so fantastic that we are returning for the entire month of September, and for that trip David has already generously assisted us with sailing class information, boat rentals, etc. for our upcoming stay. If I could give this wonderful retreat 10 stars I would do it, but alas I can only go up to 5! Many thanks again, David, for your fabulous hospitality and for sharing your family home with us. We can't wait to see you and meet your lovely Anna in September!

What a charming place. My wife and I spent a week here in late August and had a wonderful experience.

The basics: We arrived to an impeccably clean house that has been well tended to. David was there to greet us and give us a tour of the house and the property, while explaining the basic guidelines for our stay (garbage location, light switch controls, the dock protocols, etc.). The Boathouse is located adjacent to the main house where David and his wife reside, but privacy was never an issue.

The house is, literally, on the bay. There is decking off the back of the house which is perfect for sitting, relaxing, and taking in the glorious views. My wife was lucky enough to watch seals swimming in the bay on one occasion. The main bedroom has windows that look out onto the bay as well, which allowed us to wake up to beautiful sunrises each morning. If you’d like to sleep in, the bedroom is also equipped with heavy curtains to block the morning light.

The house is cozy and rustic, and nicely decorated, almost giving the feeling of being on a boat. The kitchen is adequately stocked if you would like to cook in, and is equipped with microwave, toaster, dishwasher, etc., all of which are new. The second bedroom, which we did not use, is spacious and equipped with twin beds, and would seem best suited for younger children, but that would depend on the people staying, of course.

The house is in a great location. It is a 10 minute drive to Nauset Beach, which you can purchase a weekly parking pass for. It is 10 minutes to downtown Orleans, which has shops, restaurants, and grocery stores. In the other direction, downtown Chatham is a 15 minute drive which offers numerous places to dine, shop, or people watch.

There are a couple of peculiarities about the house that one should be aware of. As David explained, the house utilizes a septic system due to its close location to the bay, and water conservation is a consideration. This means only flushing the toilet when necessary, and using the outside shower if possible, which I used every time I showered as it was my preference. Additionally, the mattress in the master bedroom is very firm, which my wife and I liked, and when I mentioned this to David in passing, he commented that he had installed slats underneath the mattress because he felt it was too soft, so those can probably be removed if need be.

Overall, this is place was a home run for us. We hope to be back next year, and cannot say enough about the hospitality shown to us by David and his wife.

Kind regards,
Andrew and Donna McIntosh

My husband and I stayed here with our daughter, and all three of us had a marvelous week. The perfect location over the water, the boathouse makes you feel like you're in the cabin of a ship! We enjoyed the sounds of the lapping waves under our bed and all enjoyed the fully enclosed, brand-new outdoor shower. The kitchen was outfitted as well as you'd expect of a large home. Our daughter spent the day lounging on the water, steps from her room. The owner, David, was terrific, friendly and helpful.

This was the perfect vacation getaway! The house is charming and lovely. The views of the Bay are absolutely amazing! The owners were wonderful and accomodating. I woke up this morning longing for the cool breeze and sunrise from the Boathouse deck. I would love to stay here again!

This was the first vacation I've been on where I actually came home relaxed and refreshed. Loved waking up to the sunrise outside my window, reading on the deck and watching the stars at night while listening to lapping waves and enjoying cool breezes all day and evening. If you're a boater, or always wanted to be, you'll appreciate the charming nooks and crannies and authentic boat features within the home. It's like being on a boat without the hassle! Conveniently located to shopping, beaches and dining but miles away from stress and tension. Nice too, that linens and towels were included.

We thoroughly enjoyed our week on the Cape. The weather was perfect and the Topside Boathouse was everything we imagined from the pictures and the positive reviews. The house is charming. It was obviously built with great pride and has an authentic, nautical feel to go along with its ideal location on the water and views of Pleasant Bay. The kitchen is well equipped and the owners who live next door were gracious and delightful hosts. I highly recommend the Boathouse and give it a perfect five out of five.

I already miss our wonderful boathouse! We so enjoyed this quaint property that is arranged so nicely. Our family loved waking up to a beautiful sunrise and jumping out onto the dock. The beach is close by for clamming, there is a slip for the boat, and a wonderful patio out back for grilling! What else do you need?

Also, I'd like to thank the owners for showing us around and being there for any questions. What a lovely family!

We will absolutely be back!!!

We've rented vacation homes on the Cape for more than 15 years, but have never been in one that so utterly charmed us--with its location, its comfort, and its amenities. If you've ever wondered what old Cape Cod felt like, look no further than Topside Boathouse. From the gracious welcome by the owner (whose house is next door), to being able to see fish jump in Pleasant Bay--and then walk down the dock to catch those fish, to the vintage nautical décor, Topside Boathouse has all this and more. And there's nothing more pleasant than lying in bed at night, watching the moon rise over the bay, and then rolling over the next morning to watch the sun rise over that same bay. Pure delight. Highly recommended.

Honeymooned here many ears ago, and have returned every year since then. I could roll out of bed, onto the deck, and into the water without going more than 8 feet. The water in Pleasant Bay is much calmer than the ocean and is beautiful for swimming, canoeing/kayaking, sailing and wind-surfing. My daughter, her husband, and their two little girls have stayed here many times. Sleeping at night, almost right on the water, with the gentle surf sounds, is intoxicating. This is Cape Cod charm at its best! There is a wonderful sandy beach right next door, a 2 minute walk, to the right in the photo.